VIDEOS
NEW RELEASES 2023-24
Open Up Your Mind - Los Charly’s Orchestra (Juan Laya & Jorge Montiel)
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Building on the success of their hit release "Vibration," which garnered support from industry heavyweights like Louie Vega and dominated the charts in the Disco/Funk & Soul genre for weeks, the talented LCO crew is back with a new single to close out 2023 and welcome in 2024. Titled "Open Up Your Mind," the track is a vibrant blend of sunshine boogie that is sure to get listeners grooving. LCO showcases their signature mid-tempo boogie sound, with Jazz Funk expert Xantoné Blacq adding his soulful vocals to the mix. Accompanying him are the dynamic talents of Mr Milt Mavrakakis on Rhodes and Hammond, Juan Laya on drums and percussion, Matheus Nova on Bass, and Raphael Delfino on Guitar, all coming together to create a flawless groove that is impossible to resist.
Vibration - Los Charly’s Orchestra (Juan Laya & Jorge Montiel)
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Embark on an intergalactic journey with LCO's starship as it delves deep into the realms of Jazz, Funk, Disco, and Latin fusion. Crossing into uncharted sonic territories, this new portal of sounds and frequencies is finely tuned in perfect harmony, marking a groundbreaking achievement for the "LCO Intersonic Research Project", better known as Los Charly's Orchestra, led by producers Juan Laya and Jorge Montiel since 2007. The sonic expedition traverses the farthest reaches of the galaxy, returning to Earth with tangible evidence of human dedication and persistence translated into optimal sound efficiency.
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BIO
MUSIC
Born into a Venezuelan family deeply immersed in music, Juan Laya, the guy behind Los Charly's Orchestra (LCO), was exposed to a melting pot of sounds from Latin rhythms to rare groove, funk, and jazz. However, it was the disco music of the 70s that truly captured his heart and soul. To 70s disco aficionados, Laya as a producer truly understands the unparalleled charm of this iconic era.
The irresistible rhythms, pulsating beats, and elaborate arrangements of disco music from the 70s create a sonic experience that is truly timeless and unforgettable. The fusion of funk, soul, and disco-funk in the 70s disco scene has birthed a sound like no other, one that still serves as a wellspring of inspiration for contemporary music producers and DJs.
Its infectious energy and high-voltage vibes make it the ultimate soundboard for an evening of groovy dance moves. For those who live and breathe disco, the music from the 70s is not just a genre—it's a way of life. Its enduring popularity is a testament to its magic, drawing us back to an era where the dance floor was the centre of the universe, and the music was electric. In the glittering world of disco, the 70s reign supreme, offering a timeless escape into a groovy paradise.
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His influence in the 1970s funk and disco fusion scene is evident in his work, and Laya has worked and collaborated with a variety of artists, producers, and DJs, including David Lee, Opolopo, DJ Afro (from Los amigos Invisibles), Jose Padilla (from Cafe Del Mar Ibiza), Xantoné Blacq (from Amy Winehouse's band) , Omar Lye-Fook, Cool Million, Leroy Burgess, Dimitri from Paris (from Playboy Mansion), Pete Herbert, Atjazz, Al Kent, Seamus Haji, Pillos Caracas Boys, Chipy D, Graham Mushnik (from Guess What), Noel McKoy, Stuart Lisbie (from Personal Life), Rahaan Young, Renegades Of Jazz, Jimi Needles, Chennez Mckenzie, David Price, Tommy Glasses, Andre Espeut, Heidi Vogel (from The Cinematic Orchestra), Ramon Ruiz, Dave Allison, Del Blake, Milt Mavrakakis, Matheus Nova (from Saravah Soul), Fundación Tony Manero and many others .
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In London, Laya and Jorge Montiel, his business partner, run the record label Imagenes Recordings Studios.
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His music and productions have been widely supported by renowned personalities such as Todd Terje, Loui Vega, Pete Tong, Craig Charles, Tom Moulton, Danny Krivit, Quinton Scott, Jim Stanton, Paul Miller, and Gilles Peterson.
Major record labels, including Sony Music, Universal Records, Z-Records, BBE, Defected and Imagenes Recordings, have released his works over the past decade.
