This dude Andrés (aka DJ Dez) isn’t a stranger to music scenes here or elsewhere. As the former DJ for Latin-funk powerhouse Ozomatli, Dez has toured the globe, spinning Afro-Latino records consistent with his Cuban-Jamaican heritage. His father, famed Cuban percussionist Humberto Hernandez, actually got Dez the Ozomatli gig, which ended in 2000. Now manning the turntables for Slum Village, Dez says he’s jazzed to be a part of the local hip-hop scene that he helped foster during his days at Maurice Malone’s fabled and mythologized Hip-Hop Shop back in the mid-’90s. He sometimes tours under his Andrés moniker — his slightly more electronic-global doppelgänger — toured Japan and scored a place in Urb magazine’s Next 100 of 2004 list. He’s played percussion with, among others, Common, ?uestlove and Erykah Badu too. Dig Dez’s five monomanias of the week.
5. For some reason I keep thinking of suede Pumas with the crispy fat laces. Why do I have such a fetish for fresh kicks?
4. I didn’t appreciate why the Pistons didn’t get respect for winning the championship. When I was on tour, I couldn’t find any Pistons gear anywhere.
3. Lately, I been really digging the Spinners. A lot of their slower tunes have been talking to me lately. Gotta keep my Detroit soul groups in heavy rotation.
2. Reggaeton is alright. I like to see any form of Latin music grow and be recognized. It’ll probably get exploited one day, but it’s still enjoyable now.
1. I’m looking forward to creating an album with fellow Cuban artists. To me Latin jazz, as far as rhythm and relating to the African drum, is the best. Latin jazz is my shit.
Performs Wednesday, Jan. 12, with Anibal at Oslo (1456 Woodward Ave., Detroit; 313 963-0300).
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