Joe Claussell - Music... A Reason To Celebrate (2002)

Joe Claussell is a distinguished producer and DJ whose name is inseparably linked with New York's electronic music scene. As a resident DJ at the iconic Body & Soul venue, he has earned recognition for his rare ability to balance electronic music with a broader musical spectrum. Beyond his club work, Joe is involved in the development of Dancetracks and manages his own label, Spiritual Life Music, through which he expresses his multifaceted musical aesthetics.
The album "A Reason to Celebrate," released jointly by BBE and Urban Theory, presents a sonic portrait of an evening with Joe Claussell and demonstrates the depth of his taste and mastery. Contrary to stereotypes about house DJs, the album encompasses diverse repertoire: from the instrumental funk of Ronny Jordan and the collective War to Latin legends Jorge Ben and Héctor Lavoe. This eclectic selection not only showcases knowledge of world music history but also invites listeners to reconsider genre boundaries, offering a new way of perceiving and listening to world music through dance and rhythm.

Tracklist:
1-1 Luis Gasca - Spanish Gypsy [15:07]
1-2 Robin Beck - Sweet Talk [6:13]
1-3 Pam Todd And Love Exchange - Let's Get Together [5:26]
1-4 Yambú - Sunny [4:32]
1-5 Bheki Mseleku - Celebration [7:52]
1-6 Richie Havens - Gay Cavalier [3:31]
1-7 Earth, Wind & Fire - Fantasy [4:40]
1-8 Herbie Hancock - The Essence (Bonita Mix) [6:10]
1-9 24 Carat Black - Synopsis Two: Mother's Day [2:06]
1-10 Imagination - Changes (Larry Levan Mix) [7:44]
1-11 Dave Samuels - New Math [4:57]
1-12 Eddie Palmieri - 17.1 [7:18]
2-13 Louis Armstrong - The Creator Has A Masterplan [4:07]
2-14 Shirley Caesar - Message To The People [4:43]
2-15 Sounds Of Blackness - Optimistic [5:20]
2-16 Syreeta - To Know You Is To Love You [4:59]
2-17 Monday Michiru - Mysteries Of Life [15:22]
2-18 Stanley Cowell - Trying To Find A Way [3:57]
2-19 Jorge Ben - Oba La Vem Ela [4:13]
2-20 Hector Lavoe - El Cantante [10:26]
2-21 Black Blood - A.I.E.A Mwana (Twelve Inch Edit) [3:12]
2-22 King Sunny Ade & His African Beats - The Message (Twelve Inch Version) [8:17]
2-23 Africa 1 Dance & Theatre - Drum Dance (Fanga Alafia) (Joe's Edit) [3:19]
2-24 Maynard Ferguson - Pagliacci [5:35]