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RIP Legendary House DJ David Camacho

DAVID CAMACHO 10.6.1961 – 7.9.2011 – RIP

After a lengthy illness, one of New Jersey’s finest House music DJ’s, DJ Dave Camacho died Saturday July 9th 2011 in hospital surrounded by family and friends. Dave Camacho, hailed as one of a core of influential US DJ’s that helped shape the UK House music scene with a string of seminal UK Residencies in the early 90s and championed ‘soulful house” music across the world.

As one of the leading DJ’s of the vocal house music scene, Camacho’s first mix with fellow homeboy, Kerri Chandler, on the classic “My My Lover” by Dee Dee Brave (Champion Records) peaked in clubs across New York and gained a worthy UK release which saw it explode across the globe. He also remixed vocal anthems such as Michael Watford’s “So Into You”, Gerideau’s “Take A Stand For Love” and “Bring It Back To Love” and produced his own deep strand of tracks such as “Renegade” on Shelter Records and the “Macho Camacho EP” for Phuture Trax Records. As a DJ and vocal house ambassador, Camacho championed the early careers of fellow New Jersey musical stars Blaze, Cassio Ware, Kenny Bobien and Club Shelter/Shelter Records, and he will be sorely missed by true fans of House music.

“His classics and song loaded sets are always a breath of fresh air to be heard when he guests in London. Places like the Loft, father to Paul ‘Trouble’ Anderson are “one of his favourite clubs” and as he also put “one of few places that plays House music properly alongside Classics”. Truly, an all round loveable guy Camacho’s on the one with plenty of Nu Yorican Soul” lifted from Jerome Sydenham’s Ibadan Records website, whom Camacho produced “Space Lab Yello” for.

A big man with an even bigger heart who always went “the whole nine yards” for the music, Camacho kept spinning as long as he was able with shows on internet stations such as cyberjamz and prepartyradio.com, as well as guest slots around New Jersey/New York.

He had a great ear for ‘soulful’ house music and new talents, and was inspirational in working with many of the UK leading DJ/producers such as Paul ‘Trouble’ Anderson, Phil Asher, Booker T, C.J. Macintosh, Grant Nelson, Andy Ward (Soul Central), Seamus Haji, Scott & Scooby (Shindig/Manor Born) and Dr Bob Jones in the 90’s with his many UK tours.

The UK was his second home, and Camacho appeared on the front cover of DJ Magazine (July ’94) on a feature titled “London Calling: UK House New Wave”- the only American (!) alongside Phil Asher, Booker T, Crispin Glover, Orin Walters (Bugz In The Attic) Sensory Elements (Rob Mello + Zaki D), KCC, Noel Watson and Luke Coke, which talked about London’s buzzing house scene. One of the first DJ’s to grace the decks at Ministry Of Sound when it first opened, Camacho also rocked the house at legendary 90’s UK clubs such as The Loft, Back To Basics, Hard Times, Shindig, Queer Nation, Tall Trees, Garage City, Love To Be, the Satellite Club and many more.

Tremendously popular in Italy’s house music scene, Camacho also worked with most of their leading clubs and DJ’s including Rome’s prestigious Angels Of Love club, Club Zinn, and DJ’s Ralph, Claudio Coccolutto, Ivan Iacobucci and Sarro from Red Zone.
In his 30 years as a DJ/Producer, DJ Camacho travelled all over the world including tours to Africa, Germany, Japan, Switzerland, France, and even Australia. In the 90’s he was also rated in the Top 100 List of DJ’s world wide.

Alongside his DJ-ing

Camacho, who launched his own Wake Up productions and record label, his production credits include the Integration EP’s for Nice N’ Ripe (home to Grant Nelson), Wanda Rogers gem, “Prove Your Love” and the ‘The Camacho’ EP for the defunct but legendary Nu Groove label. He worked with many talented artists like Ce Ce Rogers, Jazmina, Dee Dee Brave, Sabrina Johnson, LZ Love, Bravo, Grant Nelson, Ricky Nelson, Tyrone Payton.

Camacho first broke out at Club Docs, and then went on to become an original ‘Wild Pitch’ DJ, where he started the legendary NYC club Wild Pitch” with DJ’s Greg Day, Nick Jones and Bobby Konders, and together they swung all five boroughs in New York in the late 80’s/90’s. Their DJ Guests reads like a Who’s Who of House Music legends including Larry Levan (Paradise Garage), Tony Humphries, Tee Scott, Timmy Regisford (Club Shelter), DJ Disciple, Victor Rossado and DJ Bazil.

Camacho is survived by wife Gwen “Cookie”, daughters Tia and Adrina and two grandchildren, Isaiah and Sanniyah.

There is a benefit to “Celebrate the life of DJ David Camacho” on July 28, doors open at 9:30pm Benefit begins at 10:00pm.  The CLOSING time has been extended til 4am at The Mursik Room, 39 Bloomfield Ave, Newark, New Jersey.
This event is FREE to ALL who want to attend and a musical tribute is being organized by Vicky Martin with the help of Hippie Torrales. MORE INFO

David Camacho’s music:

Renegade – DJ Camacho Shelter Anthem Remix (Shelter Records)

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Hunter Hayes -“Why Can’t We Live Together” [Macho Mix]
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All Around – Integration Once Again Meets Dave Camacho (Nice N Ripe)
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