New York DJ Geko Jones (pictured), who is, among other things, the host of the monthly party Que Bajo?!, has done a lot of work remixing old-school Afro-Latin tracks by classic artists. But his new project, Ralfi Pagan: Latin Soul Remixed, focuses on a musical man of mystery. A Nuyorican soul singer who became a cult favorite in the ’50s and ’60s, Pagan was murdered under murky circumstances in Colombia in 1978. Jones has taken up his cause and is dedicating a remix EP of Pagan’s mellow Latin gems, to be released November 13 on the legendary Latin label Fania, former home of Pagan.
“Never Thought You’d Leave Me” from the release has been remixed into a gorgeous downtempo selection by DJ Coolout, and it exemplifies the blend of Pagan’s low-key vibe and Jones’s atmospheric production that’s at the core of the project. Listen to the world premiere below.