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Carlos Mena - 1st Album in 12 Years

Help Carlos Mena complete his upcoming album. A star-studded dialogue between Jazz and Hip-Hop

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Carlos Mena - 1st Album in 12 Years

Carlos Mena - 1st Album in 12 Years

Carlos Mena - 1st Album in 12 Years

Carlos Mena - 1st Album in 12 Years

Carlos Mena - 1st Album in 12 Years

Help Carlos Mena complete his upcoming album. A star-studded dialogue between Jazz and Hip-Hop

Help Carlos Mena complete his upcoming album. A star-studded dialogue between Jazz and Hip-Hop

Help Carlos Mena complete his upcoming album. A star-studded dialogue between Jazz and Hip-Hop

Help Carlos Mena complete his upcoming album. A star-studded dialogue between Jazz and Hip-Hop

Carlos Mena
Carlos Mena
Carlos Mena
Carlos Mena
1 Campaign |
Brooklyn, United States
$4,702 USD 99 backers
47% of $10,000 Flexible Goal Flexible Goal

James Baldwin once said in an interview,  "...if you can examine and face your life you can discover the terms with which you are connected to other lives, and they can discover too, the terms with which they are connected to other people."  The cultural and social importance of Jazz and Hip-Hop and how these genres shaped their generation's consciousness, must continue to be documented and articulated.

Articulated Language’ is the name of this incredible collaborative album.  As I mentioned in the video not only am I excited about producing this project but I am excited for you to join our team.


 I am Carlos Mena, an artist and music producer. I have  produced music for, and collaborated with, Grammy Winning and Multi-Platinum selling artists such as, Arrested Development, Tre from Pharcyde, and Jody Watley to name a few.  My last album "Hip-Hop Meditations" which was described as "...Common and Wyclef sitting down with a book from occultist Sylvia Browne and a bag of somethin' somethin'."  Was very well received by critics and fans and led to me touring around the world in support of the project.  I have opened for everyone from Counting Crows to The Roots, to Parliament Funkadelic to The Fugees and Black Eyed Peas.  After years of touring, remixing songs for dance labels and began running my own label ‘Ocha Records’.



A short time ago, I felt a calling and burning desire to create again and explore musical and lyrical ideas around Jazz and Hip-Hop.  As a child of the 70s and 80s in New York City, my musical vocabulary was informed primarily by Hip-Hop, but also included Afro-Latin and Jazz.  And in these days of mindless disposable music I feel obligated to put this important project together and continue the movement of creative honest music.

 I remember how artists like Run-DMC, Sugar Hill Gang, MC Lyte, and Rakim, affected my life and gave me hope when I felt hopeless during times difficulty while growing up in Bushwick (very different from the Bushwick you may know today).  I also remember when I picked up a cassette of Miles Davis at Newport where I was introduced to John Coltrane.  As a student of music I am still trying to understand what I heard and experienced. Other inspiring musical forces schooled me included A Tribe Called Quest, Public Enemy, Gangstarr, Jay Dilla, Steve Coleman and so many more.  Each of these talents has uniquely colored the landscape of my musical journey. And I would like to continue this journey with your help.


In the spirit of community and collaboration I invited some of the illest legends and up and coming artist in this hemisphere to bless us with their gifts.  We have already recorded incredible songs with Georgia Anne Muldrow, Marcus Gilmore (Flying Lotus, Chick Correa), Lazaro Galaragga (Herbie Hancock, Cachao, Paquito D'Rivera), Vinia Mojica (De La Soul, Mos Def, ATCQ), Victoria Theodore (Stevie Wonder, Arsenio Hall Show) Burniss Earl Travis (Robert Glasper), Marcus Machado (Rolling Stones Magazine Next Young Gun), Farnell Newton (Jill Scott), my brothers Osunlade and Ezel, and producers like Kokayi, Jazzmattik, and Navi Beats. We are adding other talents as we speak and as a part of the team you will be the first to know. 



With a true desire for integrity, we want to insure that we are continuing to pay musicians for their work and not just asking for favors.  Know that they have been incrediblily generous because they are just as passionate about getting this project to you as I am. To fully round out this project we are adding a symphonic element to the production with a live string section and arrangements.  Your contribution will be used for this purpose as well as for mixing and mastering.  By the way, we are working at Brooklyn Recording which has hosted some of the top musicians on the planet including Keith Richards, Robert Glasper, Norah Jones, and Meshell Ndegeocello and beyondBrooklyn Recordings is one of the top studios in New York and are thrilled to have the one and only Andrew Taub engineering this project.

The only thing that can make this any sweeter is the incredible packages I have put together as a special thank you for joining the team and movement.

We need $10,000 to cover the recording, mixing, musicians and mastering.  If we do not reach the entire goal, the funds raised will still go to cover these costs and we will have to ask for a few favors, do some bartering, use synth strings (yuck), but we will get it done.  Our last campaign was for the Casamena Radio Hour Compilation CD that was fully funded in less than two weeks!  I know we can do this!

Please check out the unique perks we have available.  Some even include exclusive gear, vinyl, and you can even join us in the studio!

I know that for some of you even $5 can be a lot to ask.  Please support us however you can.  You can use the Indiegogo share tools to help spread the word on on Facebook and Twitter.  Thank you soooo much!


 

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Choose your Perk

I Support This

$5 USD
My sincere appreciation. Thank you for your support! You will receive a personal email of gratitude from me.
Estimated Shipping
September 2015
0 claimed
Ships worldwide.

Download First Single

$7 USD
Download my 1st single before it is available to the public. You will also receive a personal email of gratitude from me.
Estimated Shipping
January 2016
1 claimed
Ships worldwide.

Digital Download of the Album

$15 USD
Thank you for your support! You will receive a digital download of the album on the day of the release and a digital download of the single before it is released. You will receive a personal email of gratitude from me and a shout out on my Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Estimated Shipping
February 2016
24 claimed
Ships worldwide.

Autographed CD

$25 USD
Thank you so much! You will receive a signed copy of the album on CD. You will also receive a digital download of the album on the day of the release and a digital download of the single before it is released. You will receive a personal email of gratitude from me and a shout out on my Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Estimated Shipping
February 2016
12 claimed
Ships worldwide.

Exclusive T-Shirt + Album DL

$40 USD
IndieGogo Exclusive Articulated Language T-Shirt,this will be the only place to get it! A digital download of the album on the day of the release and a digital download of the single before it is released. You will receive a personal email of gratitude from me and a shout out on my Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Estimated Shipping
February 2016
6 claimed
Ships worldwide.

CD + T-Shirt Pack

$60 USD
You will receive an exclusive Articulated Language T-Shirt, a signed copy of the album on CD, a digital download of the album on the day of the release and a digital download of the single before it is released. You will receive a personal email of gratitude from me and a shout out on my Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Estimated Shipping
February 2016
7 claimed
Ships worldwide.

USB of Tunes

$60 USD
Get a USB drive with everything I have created, that I can find. Over 70 mixes, too many remixes, my Hip-Hop Meditations album and the classic 10BASS T album! You will also receive a digital download of the album on the day of the release and a digital download of the single before it is released.
Estimated Shipping
February 2016
8 out of 10 of claimed
Ships worldwide.

2 LP Vinyl Album

$65 USD
You will receive a limited run 2 LP Vinyl copy of the album. You will also receive a digital download of the album on the day of the release and a digital download of the single before it is released. You will receive a personal email of gratitude from me and a shout out on my Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Estimated Shipping
February 2016
2 out of 100 of claimed
Ships worldwide.

Liner Notes Mention Pack

$70 USD
You will have your name included in the liner notes. You will also receive an exclusive Articulated Language T-Shirt, a signed copy of the album on CD, a digital download of the album on the day of the release and a digital download of the single before it is released. You will receive a personal email of gratitude from me and a shout out on my Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Estimated Shipping
February 2016
1 out of 20 of claimed
Ships worldwide.

Hand Written Lyrics Pack

$75 USD
You will receive a hand written copy of the lyrics for the first single. Also, your name in the liner notes, Articulated Language T-Shirt, a signed copy of the album on CD, a digital download of the album on the day of the release and a digital download of the single before it is released. You will receive a personal email of gratitude from me and a shout out on my Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Estimated Shipping
February 2016
1 out of 5 of claimed
Ships worldwide.

Vinyl Album+CD+T-Shirt Pack

$100 USD
You will receive a limited run 2 LP Vinyl copy of the album, an exclusive Articulated Language T-Shirt, a signed copy of the album on CD, Your name in the liner notes and a digital download of the album on the day of the release and a digital download of the single before it is released.
Estimated Shipping
February 2016
8 out of 100 of claimed
Ships worldwide.

I know the DJ package

$200 USD
Get free admission for you and a friend to 5 of my performances or DJ gigs anywhere in the U.S. (you are responsible for your transport and expenses. Also, your name in the liner notes, an exclusive Articulated Language T-Shirt, a signed copy of the album on CD, a digital download of the album on the day of the release and a digital download of the single before it is released. You will receive a personal email of gratitude from me and a shout out on my Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Estimated Shipping
February 2016
1 out of 4 of claimed
Ships worldwide.

Record Digging Trip

$250 USD
You will get to spend the afternoon with me, have lunch (it's on me) and go digging for records and discussing music production. (You pay for transportation to/from NYC) Also, your name in the liner notes, an exclusive Articulated Language T-Shirt, signed copy of the album on CD, digital download of the album on the day of the release and a digital download of the single before it is released. You will receive a personal email of gratitude from me and a shout out on FB, Twitter, and Instagram,
Estimated Shipping
February 2016
0 out of 2 of claimed
Ships worldwide.

VIP Release Party Package

$250 USD
Be a VIP at our record release party and bring 3 of your friends! Exclusive Cover Art Poster. Also, your name in the liner notes, an exclusive Articulated Language T-Shirt, a signed copy of the album on CD, a digital download of the album on the day of the release and a digital download of the single before it is released. You will receive a personal email of gratitude from me and a shout out on my Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Estimated Shipping
February 2016
0 out of 4 of claimed
Ships worldwide.

Join us in the Studio

$300 USD
You will get to hang with us in the studio during one of our recording sessions. (You pay for your transportation to/from Brooklyn) Also, your name in the liner notes, an exclusive Articulated Language T-Shirt, a signed copy of the album on CD, a digital download of the album on the day of the release and a digital download of the single before it is released. You will receive a personal email of gratitude from me and a shout out on my Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Estimated Shipping
February 2016
0 out of 4 of claimed
Ships worldwide.

VIP+Vinyl 2LP+CD+T-Shirt Pack

$300 USD
Be a VIP at our record release party and bring 3 of your friends! - Exclusive Cover Art Poster. You will receive a limited run 2 LP Vinyl copy of the album, an exclusive Articulated Language T-Shirt, a signed copy of the album on CD, Your name in the liner notes and a digital download of the album on the day of the release and a digital download of the single before it is released.
Estimated Shipping
February 2016
1 out of 2 of claimed
Ships worldwide.

4 hour DJ Set

$1,000 USD
I will come DJ your party. You provide the equipment, and the people and I will provide the vibes. House, Soul, Hip-Hop, Afro-Beat, Salsa, you name it, I will play it! Travel expenses are not included in this offer, meaning you will provide airfare and hotel. Also requires 60 day notice for scheduling. Also, your name in the liner notes, an exclusive Articulated Language T-Shirt, a signed copy of the album on CD, a digital download of the album and single and social media shout outs!
Estimated Shipping
February 2016
0 out of 2 of claimed
Ships worldwide.

Platinum Support Package

$1,500 USD
You love music and you believe it is important. You also have some extra cash that you would like to use in a way that will impact the world positively! Your name in the liner notes as Platinum Supporter, an exclusive Articulated Language T-Shirt, a signed copy of the album on CD, a digital download of the album and single and social media shout outs! VIP at Record Release for you +3, USB of Music and our eternal gratitude!
Estimated Shipping
February 2016
0 out of 2 of claimed
Ships worldwide.
sold out

Exclusive DJ Mix

$50 USD
Estimated Shipping
February 2016
4 out of 4 of claimed
Ships worldwide.
sold out

Exclusive DJ Mix (part 2)

$50 USD
Estimated Shipping
February 2016
4 out of 4 of claimed
Ships worldwide.
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