Brian Cid Reimagines 'Ay Mamá!' with a Sunset Groove and Dominican Soul

Brooklyn-born, Berlin-based producer Brian Cid has never been one to stay inside the lines. With a sound shaped by New York grit, Dominican rhythm and Berlin’s leftfield pulse, his work floats between genres while staying rooted in feeling. His latest project sees him take on Josean Jacobo’s 'Ay Mamá!' - a jazz-soaked Afro-Caribbean track that he flips into something hypnotic, beach-ready and full of life. Download/stream it here: https://onerpm.link/280012535414.

But there’s history here. Real, personal stuff.

Brian says the idea came from a memory: “My memories took me to that one time I played in Las Terrenas, Samaná, under the moon, the freshness, the warmth. I wanted to live this moment again through music. That feeling.”

The original by Josean Jacobo already had a deep pulse. Jacobo’s sound blends jazz, soul and Dominican roots. He’s played all over - from the Dominican Republic Jazz Festival to Panamá Jazz Festival. So why this track?

“When I listened to the album, ‘Ay Mamá!’ immediately stood out,” Brian says. “I gravitated towards the groove. That kind of rhythm, or ‘tumbao’ as we call it. The chorus is also very catchy. Plus, I love jazz, so it was the perfect song to play with.”

You can hear that love in the remix. The groove feels alive. There’s percussion that bubbles without rushing. Shimmering keys. Space between the sounds. It all just glides.

“For music to come out at its highest potential, it needs to be felt, not calculated,” he says. “So when you go with the flow, it means you let the music take you to where it wants to be. Nothing is premeditated; it’s an adventure.”

The balance between technical precision and raw emotion is something Brian’s mastered over the years. He’s been part of the pop world, DJed around the globe, and built his Endangered label into a space for deep, thoughtful dance music.

“I learned a lot about what true quality is. Also, how to work efficiently and have a simple approach to things. Don’t overcomplicate it. How to do more with less.”

He credits both New York and the Dominican Republic for shaping this remix: “Well, NY gives me the edge and strength, and the Dominican Republic the flavour and swing - two heavy influences I am very proud of. I brought new layers of percussion to the original groove and gave it another touch to complement what was already there. Also, the beachy vibe is all over it.”

That mix of rhythm and reflection is central to how he makes music.

“You will never lose dancefloor impact if you make sure your music has rhythm and moves forward. Most of my music is a contrast of feelings; that’s what gives it balance. Making the body groove and the mind fly has been a musical philosophy of mine.”

Rules? He doesn’t really believe in them.

“Beyond a producer, a sound engineer and a DJ, I am an artist. So, to me, music has no limits. No rules. Whatever flows out of me is valuable because it’s a true expression of myself. More than a career, it’s a lifestyle where I get to tell my story through all my life experiences. My only rule is to make sure my music elevates you in some way.”

Whether he’s playing Kater Blau in Berlin or open-air at Burning Man, it’s always about creating something for the moment.

“My music selection, which mostly consists of my own originals, both released and unreleased, as well as my label artists and then other music I like. So, it all depends on the energy I want to bring to a determined space. As I am playing, the way to think about it is, ‘How can the music become the soundtrack of the moment?’”

That same mindset feeds into his label and event series Endangered.

“Yes, the idea of supporting the music we believe in, participating, creating a stronger bond, expanding sounds, learning from each other, creating new avenues and possibilities. All of these things come to mind when thinking about collaborating, and this is what Endangered is about as well. Elevating to our maximum potential. We are working on a big expansion of Endangered and will announce more on this soon.”

So with all the releases, the projects, the touring - what still excites him in the studio?

“Making music is my very favourite activity, so anything that I am working on becomes the most exciting music of the moment, and they are all special. Now, for the people, it’s always a mystery. You never know which piece of work people will love. It’s always the unexpected ones.”

This one feels like it could be one of those. Not forced. Not hyped. Just honest. A groove from the heart, filtered through memory, movement and real love for the craft. 'Ay Mamá!' (Brian Cid Remix) is out now on Point Records. It's not just a remix - it’s a window into Brian’s creative world, where culture, memory and movement all meet. Whether you're deep in a Berlin club or standing barefoot on a Samaná beach, this one hits.

Brian Cid

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