Best of 2010: Eli Escobar

“I wonder how long it will take until people will finally recognize the greatness of Eli Escobar” wrote Discodust in early 2009, but the New York-based DJ and producer’s service to the scene is far lengthier than the shout-out might suggest. Time Out explains how his “productions have that appealing blend of old-school house flavor and of-the-moment tang”; which is fitting though, as the the veteran DJ covers all of the above without a hint of irony. The man knows his stuff because he’s been there: influenced just as much by ’80s alternative as early Kid Capri, Escobar grew up in Harlem in the ’80s and consumed a diverse range of music which has done well to develop his aural palate, lending him a sincerity in his sets that isn’t widely felt in the club scene. A Puerto Rican father, a Greek mother, and an insatiable thirst for comic books and Fleetwood Mac, Escobar’s musical range is about as unique as the man is himself. This past year saw the DJ continue lighting up the night in addition to laying down a fresh track with “Might Like You Better”-vocalist Amanda Blank; a collaboration which became just one of his favorite musical memories from the past year. Checking in via email, here are Escobar’s highlights from 2010.

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#1) The last hour of the Tiki Disco parties: This past summer DJs Lloydski, Andy Pry and I threw a Sunday evening party in the backyard area of the restaurant Roberta’s in Bushwick. We’d spend the day sitting in the sun, drinking margaritas and playing records but once the sun went down the dance floor would get going and it would transform into the most fun party ever. I was completely out of commission most Mondays of the summer thanks to Tiki Disco.

#) DJing In Chicago with Farley Jackmaster Funk: I suppose this would be the equivalent of Ralph Machio getting to jam with Robert Johnson at the crossroads or something. Anyways, a truly unforgettable night. It’s easy enough to play dance music for the kids, but super intimidating to play for a bunch of old heads in the home of house music.

#3) My single and video for “Love Thing (Pt. 3) ” featuring Amanda Blank: People always ask me why I never play my own music in my sets. The truth is I once I finish a song or remix, I usually hate it and can only hear the flaws in the mix down or think to myself “I shoulda changed this or that.” But for some reason I love this song and the video as well. I love it when Amanda sings and she wrote such an awesome, sad melody for my beat. I worked really hard on the music and remixed it over and over ’til I got it right. I guess it payed off!

#4) Hearing the Storm Queen record for the first time: This was at Lloyd and my monthly party “Work” at the Submercer in Soho. Lloyd played it and I was floored. So many great records need a little time to grow on you but sometimes a song is so great you know it right off the bat. I hope this will inspire more people in the indie dance scene to release vocal records.

#5) Getting packages from Discogs: An almost daily occurrence. It’s so fun getting records from the mailman everyday! Also when you order as many as I do, you start to lose track of what you’ve ordered so it’s kind of a surprise to see what you’ll get each day. I know buying music is way out of style but I still love it.