The Return of Rosabel

Even while they are among the most famous names on our beloved gay dance circuit, Ralphi Rosario and Abel Aguilera remain a mystery to many when they join forces as Rosabel, a dynamic disco duo that creates a unique and magical mixture from their storied pasts and serious skill.

The tag team of marquee music makers is to be appreciated beyond the beats, as legendary artists. Recently, they were nominated for a Grammy for their club mix of Rihanna’s “Only Girl (in the World),” and they are a very special club mix in their own right, as fixtures in their respective home towns of Chicago and Miami, as well as on Atlantis cruises, in New York City and Brazil, and most recently at the White Party Palm Springs.

On April 28 the combo will return to San Francisco, where they have a 5-year history of spinning at the invitation of San Francisco’s own dynamic duo of DJs, Luke Johnstone and Jamie J. Sanchez. The annual appearance of Rosabel in our bubble by the Bay is Industry’s gift to the loyal following that eagerly awaits Rosabel’s appearance on our homotown dancefloors.

Circuit veteran, fellow disco-lover and Rosabel fanatic Suzan Revah had a chance to catch up with each of the celebrated DJ/producers after soaking up the tribal influence that inspires their music at New York City’s Alegria. Rosabel’s upcoming appearance at Factory will bring the flavor of Alegria to one of their favorite cities in which to spin, giving San Francisco much cause for Ceremony, as is the party’s namesake.
What’s it like working together when you’re such bad-asses by yourselves?

Ralphi: Since 1985, I’m more of a producer than a DJ. It’s my medicine. I started remixing in the early 90s, and I’ve been writing more music over the years. I’m recording all the time.

Abel: I did remixing back in the day, and would spend 12 hours locked up in a studio, but that was too much for me. I did 2 or 3 records and called it quits to focus on being a DJ.

Ralphi: Abel is definitely a multi-tasker. I call him “Eddie Pie Hands” because he always complains about how stressed out he is, but then he has to be busy all the time.

So you play off one another’s strengths?

Abel: We’re twin brothers from other worlds. We have the same experience because we started out at the same time. When we’re in the studio, it works perfectly because we think exactly the same. We know what’s gonna click.

Ralphi: What I share with Abel is being in the moment. Whatever I have, I bring it to the table and just go with the flow.

Abel: I have no set list when I spin. There’s nothing planned. I just go with the feeling in the room. It’s all live.

How does Abel go with the flow for so many hours? When he’s at the decks, it’s a marathon not a sprint.

Abel: Honey, it’s pure adrenaline! I don’t do any drugs or alcohol, it’s pure love for my fans. If you don’t feel that, you won’t be able to do it. There’s no other way. When Ralphi and I first started out, there was something called “the journey,” and it’s like Tina Turner says: “We’re gonna start off nice and slow, and then we’ll let them have it.” It’s a ride.

How did you enjoy the red carpet ride at the Grammy’s?

Ralphi: It was surreal. I’m a very low-key person, and I like to be behind the console, not have my name in lights.

Abel: I’m not gonna deny that it was a nice experience, something that reminds you that you’ve worked hard, but the real prize is what you’re doing already. A statue isn’t gonna tell me I did a good job. A packed house and a great vibe on the dancefloor is enough.

But it’s cool that dance music is getting nominated, and that remixers are being recognized.

Ralphi: That’s been an uphill kind of thing, but it is definitely happening. More artists are writing original material as dance music, and it’s being embraced more and appreciated more.

Abel: With the Rihanna song, we just had a good feeling about it. The song was a dance track, so it was easy to flow with, which helps a lot. When a song is a ballad to begin with, you basically have to re-create it, but this song really came together, and Rihanna loved it right off the bat.

Can you explain why your music is so damn sexy? Is it a Latin thing?

Abel: The Latin blood is definitely a part of it, but a lot of people don’t understand the roots of our music. Anyone from the old school in SF or New York will tell you that disco was created in the two big gay places, by people who knew about rhythm. You had to have soul.

Ralphi: Times have changed, and people are different. I like music to be timeless. There’s a history behind it, with classics like Sylvester. He left a mark with producers and DJs like us, and it’s because of him that I’m doing what I’m doing. I’ll never forget it. San Francisco has always had a huge impact on dance music.

This entry was posted on Monday, April 16th, 2012 at 12:00 pm. It is filed under Articles, Boy Beats and tagged with Abel Aguilera, Grammy, Jamie J Sanchez, Luke Johnstone, Ralphi Rosario, Rosabel. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.