Joseph Longo

Pal Joey (aka Joseph Longo) emerged from the vibrant and eclectic street culture of New York City during the golden era of B-boying, boom boxes, and a distinct entrepreneurial spirit that fueled the rise of beat-making. Starting with the use of “pause tapes,” Joey quickly progressed to creating tracks using drum machines and sampled vocals, cutting and assembling his music with razors and reel-to-reel tape. His deep immersion in the city’s burgeoning house music scene was catalyzed by his time working at Vinylmania, a legendary record store where figures like Larry Levan could be found shopping in their pajamas. This period marked the beginning of Joey’s illustrious career in music production.

As an influential figure in the city’s underground scene, Pal Joey collaborated with a diverse range of artists, from KRS-One and Sade to The Orb, for whom he contributed to the American version of their iconic track “Little Fluffy Clouds.” His productions are known for blending elements of disco, house, and hip-hop, integrating old soul records with recent rap, and adding his unique touch to skipping drum patterns and groovy keyboard lines. This genre-blurring approach has earned him recognition as a pioneering force in the fusion of dance music and urban culture.

Joey’s discography includes releases under his own name, as well as his aliases Earth People and Soho, across esteemed labels such as Jive, Epic, Talkin’ Loud, Wave, and Coco Machete. In addition to his production work, Pal Joey has also founded three labels of his own—Loop D’Loop, Cabaret, and Footstompin’ Records—further cementing his influence in the music industry. His innovative sound continues to resonate with listeners, marking him as a lasting figure in the evolution of electronic and dance music.

Licensing with Spirit: License Joseph’s music HERE.