03/02/2021
Limited 100 copies of advance 7" 45 vinyl release b/w Special DJ Remix
“An authentic 80’s time-capsule unearthed in a NYC recording studio”
Al Diaz - What's In A Name (7") 45 + digi
Al Díaz’s career spans five decades. Born and raised in New York City, he was known by age 15 as a prolific and influential, first-generation subway graffiti artist. During the early 70s, his popular and recognized name was “BOMB-1.” He is known for his friendship with Jean-Michel Basquiat and collaboration on SAMO©…, the legendary graffiti project appearing in lower Manhattan from 1978 to 1980. The tag and text slogans became known quickly on the streets and in the local newspaper media because of their wit and sardonic humour. After high school and the SAMO©… period, Díaz focused on his musical percussion, and created recordings, including performances with seminal Downtown acts such as Liquid Liquid, Konk, Dog Eat Dog, I/S/M and on Basquiat’s collectible 1983 holy grail hip-hop record, Beat Bop which also featured Rammellzee and K-Rob.
We now deliver celebrated NYC Artist/Musician Al Diaz’s take on the times heard through raw, rolling percussion layered with swirling poetic vocals - this time presented on a LIMITED 45 7” VINYL SINGLE from The Sound Council.
“What’s In A Name” was initially featured on the Tellus Dance cassette in 1986 but the original master tapes were unearthed in a NYC recording studio recently by producer/engineer Bruce Tovsky (Liquid Liquid, 99 Records). The track itself, which was birthed within the revered No Wave / Post Punk scene of a lost Downtown NYC, is seemingly drenched in the electricity of this glorified era.
The project is now debuting for the first time on a collectible hand stamped and limited vinyl pressing and drops with title single “What’s In A Name?” + Special DJ Remix by Mr. Chinn.
CREDITS
Vocals, Timbales – Al Diaz
Additional Vocals – Jane-Waltzer-Diaz, Rene Cruz
Guitar, Bass – John Kuhlman
Congas – Angel Quinones
Guitar – Carlos Vivanco
Drum – Freddy Klatz
Whistling – Joe Nieves, Michael Overn
Remix – Mr. Chinn
