Toribio’s Ten Tracks That Made Me: From Merengue to Daylight Glory

Kono Vidovic March 11, 2025 8 2 5

Chromeo and A-Trak conceived Juliet Records as a talent incubator to foster the creative process of up-and-coming artists; also serving as a vehicle for them to experiment as producers. 15 years in the game, their music is devoid of any commercial or algorithmic considerations. Strictly soulful grooves, straight from the heart.

Next to the fold is Toribio, a force of NYC nightlife whose spirit shines bright behind the decks. Toribio also displays his musical prowess as leader of his rotating collective Conclave, whose self-titled LP on Love Injection Records received much acclaim. As a warm and gregarious mainstay in New York’s rich club scene, and through his own series of BDA (Bring Dat Ass) parties, his residency at The Lot, and regular appearances on lineups alongside Ash Lauryn, Love Injection, DJ Seinfeld, Eli Escobar, Danny Krivit and Francois K, Toribio has built a loyal following that share his love for soulful, percussive house music.

On ‘Daylight’, the jazz-trained multi-instrumentalist has a special treat for his inaugural release with Juliet Records, a collaboration with his real life sister Sharin on vocals. ‘Daylight’ is a warm, uplifting jam whose skippy beats will lift you up and fill you with hope and joy. There’s some remix gold from Crackazat who brings his signature sonics to Toribio’s ‘Daylight’, adding the glorious keyboard parts that dial up the bliss factor delivering the sound and vibe that has had him winning crowds across the planet.

1. DJ Laz – Esa Morena

Growing up in south Florida this was everywhere. I had this on cassette and on repeat as a little boy (I dunno how it ended up in my hands). Merengue fused with booty bass hit me right in the gut.

2. Wilfrido Vargas – Las Avispas

My dad always played this era of Merengue music and I loved it!!! I call this like the Motown era of Merengue in terms of recording quality and arrangement. I sat and learned the piano solo by ear and would call my dad over to show him.

3. Kirk Franklin – Brighter Day

There’s so many tracks I wanted to choose but I went with this one by Kirk. Kirk was one of the first concerts I saw live in Orlando at Night of Joy in Disneyworld. All the youth from our church went and it has an impact on me still. The vocal breakdown arrangement is so hype.

4. A Tribe Called Quest – Find A Way

Again so many tribe songs but I went with this one to kill two birds with this J Dilla production. I remember falling in love with Tribe waiting in the car as my mom would buy cigarettes at the 7 Eleven.

5. D’angelo – How Does it Feel

I remember seeing the video as a kid and not getting it but when I listened to Voodoo in college it changed my DNA. The bass sits in such a fat pocket and vocal harmonies…

6. Elis Regina & Tom Jobim

When I had this Jazz combo band in high school we went through so many jazz standards to play every week. Somehow we stumbled upon this song and I literally played it 20 times the first day. This is probably my all time favorite song. The descending harmony coupled with poetry about the end of summer.

7. Joshua Redman – Jazz Crimes

I was in between this or a Kenny Garrett song. I had these Jazz CDs that some of the senior classmen put me onto in high school and Jazz was almost all I would listen to. Years later I came back to this one and made an edit of it that is up on my bandcamp *wink wink*. Brian Blade on drums is one of my all time.

8. Theo Parrish – Smile

When I was in college I studied abroad in Spain and did an internship for Live Nation in Ibiza. This was on the radio on my way to work and it cracked my head right open. It’s what made realize “hey there’s some serious music happening in this house scene”. I went down a rabbit hole and haven’t climbed out ever since.

9. Masters at Work – The Bounce

Had to have one MAW track on here because they are probably one of my biggest influences for soooooo many reasons. This is some of my favorite drum programming ever.

10.Toribio feat Sharin – Daylight

Worked this one out trying to have all of these influences culminate in an organic way with my big sister who is one of my biggest influences also.

Honorable mention: Pedrito Martinez Group/ Ariacne Trujillo – Drume Negrita When I first moved to NYC I used to See Pedrito play for free on Thursdays at Guantamera in the city. This was one of my favorite songs they would play . The group at that time: Ariacne on Keys and vocals, Jhair Sala on percussion, Alvaro on Bass, Pedrito congas and vocals.

IG : @toribious_monk, FB : TORIBIO, Website, Bandcamp, Resident Advisor

Thank you!

And there you have it, Toribio’s musical DNA laid bare, from the booty bass of South Florida to the soulful house grooves that light up NYC. A massive thank you to Toribio for taking us on this ride and for dropping Daylight with his sister Sharin, it’s a track that’s got hope, heart, and a beat that won’t quit. Huge shoutout to Juliet Records for nurturing this gem and to Crackazat for that remix magic. Want to feel the light break through? Head over to Juliet Records now and grab Daylight on digital or vinyl, and trust me, your playlist needs this. Keep dancing, keep vibing, and I’ll catch you on the next one!

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Author

Kono Vidovic

DJ | MUSIC CURATOR & SELECTOR | PODCAST MAKER | BLOGGER Professional online interpreneur. Coffee practitioner. Electronic music culture maven. Total music guru. Infuriatingly humble problem solver. Food & sports fanatic.

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