TF Archives

Family & Sam Kodsi Present Benji Candelario (NYC)

Author: Clea Woods
Monday, August 4, 2003
Soulful New York House and Garage from one of the Masters of the Old School in his first Ever Australian Tour.

Born and raised in Manhattan during the revolutionary Sixties and Seventies, Benji Candelario's musical upbringing was nothing but the real thing. Becoming immersed in the burgeoning dance music scene at an early age, Candelario cultivated his propensity for music by learning the ropes first hand while club-hopping with his older cousin to world renowned hotspots like Studio 54 and Paradise Garage. The culmination of these influences became the source of inspiration for Benji, paving the way for a lifelong career in music and cementing his roots in the club scene forever.

Candelario, eager to pursue music professionally, was only fifteen when he began sitting in on editing sessions with his close friend Aldo Marin, who was then editing records for the legendary Arthur Baker. Benji saw an opportunity of a lifetime, and became dedicated to learning the ins and outs of record arrangement/editing from Aldo. It was only a matter of time before Baker, who found Benji to be a natural, brought him aboard as an editor, thus marking the launch of his musical career and giving rise to an enduring friendship to come.

Editing records for Arthur proved successful for Candelario, who soon found himself working with some of the biggest icons of the era: Grace Jones, The Bee Gees, Evelyn King, New Order, and Thomas Dolby to name a few. After working alongside Aldo for three years, the two collaborated and started Cutting Records, producing freestyle records that became overnight classics, including 'Let's Get Brutal' (Nitro Deluxe), 'Put the Needle on the Record' (Criminal Element Orchestra), and 'Al Naafiysh/The Soul' (Hashim).

Prior to graduating high school, Benji had already begun to establish a presence as a promising young producer and remixer in the dance music scene. Aside from all-night-long production sessions in the studio, Benji was an accomplished track star by day, gaining him entrance into one of the top Ivy League colleges in the country, the University of Pennsylvania. While working on his psychology degree in West Philly, Candelario's studio career was restricted to weekends, so weekdays were spent honing his dj'ing skills at house parties around campus.

Upon graduation in 1989, Benji began a job at Capitol Records in the promotions department, working with major artists like MC Hammer and the Cover Girls. Most importantly, it was there that he met Des O'Neal, a promoter for London's Choice FM, who landed Benji a gig as the weekly mix-show DJ, generating such an international buzz that he has maintained the show ever since (now on a monthly basis). In 1991, Candelario moved on to AM:PM Entertainment, who struck gold after Benji discovered dance diva Crystal Waters. Vito Bruno, who headed the company, was also a leading club promoter in NYC, and repaid the favor by hooking up Benji with dj'ing gigs at top NYC venues like Danceteria, Red Zone, and Palladium.

Soon finding himself in high demand for his DJ and production skills, Candelario decided to trade in his life as a professional for a career as a DJ and record producer. It was not surprising that over the years, Candelario would develop a long history as an internationally renowned DJ and seasoned producer, remixer, and editor for some of biggest artists in the industry. He currently is a resident alongside Danny Rampling at Metrogroove (formerly London Calling) at club Turnmills in London as well as the Friday night resident at the Endup in San Francisco. Since January, Candelario has released three chart-topping tracks-'Heading in the Right Direction' (IA), 'Switch It' (BC), and 'You've Let Love Slip Away' feat. Arnold Jarvis (B. Candelario), with the latter two debuting at #2 on Billboard's Breakout Chart, reaffirming Candelario's lasting presence as a true dance music connoisseur.

Benji Candelario will dj alongside the Family
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