Doubles II        Catskill, NY            (518) 943-5333  

~ Digitally delayed hand claps...

~ a cappella vocal tracks on 12” commercial record releases...

~ playing keyboards live in a Disco while the DJ was playing records...

~ adding overdubs at a remix session of a dance record

~ first boutique record label; “Garage Records”  with their logo appearing on the label of a major record company.

These are some of the firsts which deBenedictus is credited with during his long career in the music business.
With his musical partner, Larry Levan, the mythical resident DJ at the world famous Paradise Garage Discotheque in NYC from 1977 to 1987 they are responsible for many of the firsts which today are common practices in the music industry.
Their first record together was “Heartbeat” by the artist Tanya Gardner, released on WestEnd records in 1981. To this day “Heartbeat” is still available and has been sampled many many times, with the latest being “Here Comes The Hot Stepper” by Ini Kamozi.

In 1982, Levan and de Benedictus produced the NYC Peech Boys. The first hit; “Don’t Make Me Wait” was released with the entire vocal track on a 12” as an "a cappella version" along with the dub and radio mixes. They also released a 7" with the a cappella as the B-side. Also, this production was the first to feature a digitally delayed handclap running through a Lexicon Prime Time.
The duo went on to release more than 20 top selling records, many of which are available on the net.

Since 2005,  deBenedictus, along with his life partner, Sam Aldi have been building Doubles as a place where ALL PEOPLE are encouraged to dance, share and be happy in peace.
Live music is a vitally important part of Doubles and on most nights de Benedictus can be found playing keyboards live; alone or with other musicians for the enjoyment of anyone who will listen. Michael has also taken on the role of ”dj - SELECTA” on a weekly basis and is thrilled to be able to carry on the traditions of playing MUSIC WITH A MESSAGE!  That message being;   LOVE........

As the Artist In Residence @ Doubles, Michael cherishes the role of making music which people are dancing to.

We welcome artists and creators of all stripes. Whether musicians or composers, comics or actors,, singers or dancers, poets or mimes......EVERYONE IS WELCOME TO SHARE THEIR GIFT WITH OTHERS @ Doubles II.

de Benedictus shown with his "BestBuddiesWoodcut" a 1982 Christmas present given to him by the artist Keith Haring.

MUSICIANS, COMPOSERS, ENGIINEERS,RAPERS, DJs....

LOOKING FOR A RECORD DEAL?

 IF YOU HAVE THE CHOPS, WE HAVE THE CONNECTS.

 COME BY AND SHOW US YOUR STUFF. WHO KNOWS YOU MAY BE THE NEXT.....!

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deBen's MUSIC PAGE