In The Mix: In With the Old and New
Florentino Boiler Room x Agi & Sam DJ Set: Florentino starts the set off strong with an intense house beat. A throbbing drum leads the flow of the mix. He alters his pace in a smooth way. Florentino’s music can start with a calming vibe and flow into intense house-dance music. His sound is very cultural, incorporating several different layers of bongo drums and fire hip-hop beats.
The crowd visibly loves the sound Florentino produces; they dance and easily follow this assertive rhythm he masters throughout. The rhythm continues to get heavier and faster, until Florentino escalates his performance in a patient way. At 15 minutes into the performance, the artist begins to add some more percussion layers to his set. He adds a funky dance song with loud vocals. With these layers, the DJ really starts to warm up and even adds electronic sound to his culturally spiced dance-music beat. These elements transition Florentino’s mix at the Boiler Room, into a hard-hip-hop, Afro-beat house song.
The producer remains poised and focused on his craft, giving his full audience a great, full experience. Florentino uses unique sounds and vocals, making his performance way more distinct and memorable. An alarm-like layer is added, and this set begins to sound like an amazing house remix of a Missy Elliot beat.
When Spanish vocals are added, the rhythm really ascends into the peak of his performance. Florentino does not take his eyes or hands off the mix board, grooving to his own alluring set. The male and female voices shouting “HEY!’ only intensify the pulse of Florentino’s style. After about half an hour, the famous Calabria song comes in along with other female voices and fast beats, to where Florentino showcases his greatest skills that take more of an electronic prominence. Alarms echo until the tune fades out, and Florentino’s fans praise his amazing set.
Eagles – Eagles: The Eagles debut album in 1972 set the standard for this group's booming success in the 70s. Eagles is an album with diversity, soul and most importantly, excellent song-writing and vocals from all four members. The group recorded the album in London with Producer Gyln John; it was written and sung entirely by all four members. Instruments like the banjo and pedal steal guitar are incorporated into the music allowing the band to carry out all three genres of rock, country and folk. Every track is a foot-tapper, mastering their sense of timing together in an impressive way.
The most popular track, ‘Take It Easy,’ begins the album on quite a strong note. The heart-warming, summer-drive song written by pivotal member Glen Frey and talented friend Jackson Browne, demanded classic rock/country lovers’ attention and became a huge part of establishing this talented bunch. The lyrics are catchy and bright, reassuring everyone to simply take it easy. Bernie Leadon is credited with relating this tune to southern rock — incorporating a soft banjo melody in the second half of the song.
‘Chug All Night,’ is debatably the most fun, lyrically simple rock ‘n’ roll song on the record. I could see this song getting blended in a playlist with other great classic rock songs from the 70s, and unfortunately forgotten about due to a great guitar riff and no poetic lyrics to further contribute.
Luckily the next song on the record, ‘Most of Us Are Sad’ makes a lyrically nostalgic comeback, and will have you reflecting to a peacefully sad acoustic guitar loop. The group’s harmonies are so graceful and effortless. The Eagles are a band to listen to at anytime of the day. From this track on, side two of the album gets stronger. When ‘Train Leaves Here This Morning’ comes on, you will feel content in your loneliness along with Glen Fley the pretty electric guitar.
The vocals are especially impeccable on two similar tunes, ‘Nightingale,’ and ‘Take the Devil.’ 'Nightingale,’ is more buoyant, and has a sense of urgency that requires all of two ears. This track follows that same catchy southern rock melody as ‘Take The Devil.’ This song is one of the best on the record, with strong flow and chemistry between the four talented musicians. Randy Meisner’s vocals are so strong and wholesome on ‘Take The Devil.’
The band projects more of their country influences in ‘Early Bird.’ The song begins with birds chirping and a banjo melody that carries on in the background throughout the entire song. The final track ‘Tryin’ leaves the record on an encouraging positive note. “We got to keep on trying,” over an electric guitar riff that will set your soul on fire.