daMAKOTAS - CHICAGO BASED LIVE PA bro + sis duo - ALL ORIGINAL SONGS 
Electronic Live PA/Live Act Duo consisting of Jasmina Makota and Skender Makota, performing live house music of all original songs as well as all original remixes performed live

daMAKOTAS - LIVE PA bro + sis duo - ALL ORIGINAL SONGS

More remixes on my site, soundcloud blocks some, www.balkanimal.com

All produced and played by Skender Makota
daBALKANIMAL

REMIXES!!

Da Monkeynutz Project - Rebirth 2025

Ambient, Downtempo, Chill, Electronica & IDM... 
all original songs by Skender Makota *daBalkanimal*

Lots of tracks dating way back to 2001 and onward.. in various shapes, forms and mixes... part of the Unreleased Ambient Werx Collection (UAWerx)

Ambient, Downtempo, Chill, Electronica & IDM... all original songs

DJ SETS - Free Download! -  Vinyl or CDJ's (I default to vinyl if I can choose :) - All kinds of House, Tech House, Techno, Oldskool, and Deep House
DJ Balkanimal (Skender Makota)

DJ SETS - Free Download! -  All kinds of House, Tech House, Techno, Oldskool, and Deep House

Gonna Love You Girl - RmX Skender Makota
original vocals by Robin Thicke

Gonna Love You Girl - RmX Skender Makota

HEADING HOME - Skender Makota Chill Sessions1

TRANSMISSION IN LIMBO 
somewhere in between 808 and 303 universe...
original by Skender Makota and my college roomie from Berklee, Henry Ellis. 
We did a lot of great stuff together and while I usually try to stay cool when I see a great player, composer or musician in general, Henry left me speechless with the talent he possessed, but while struggling with personal demons which only made him immerse more in music creation. 
We lost touch, but I will look him up hopefully and reconnect, upload more tracks from those days of Reason 1, Rebirth and Protools replacing our SSL board (hated and loved the change, still... miss those faders..)
The world was unknown and internet just taking hold yet we were happy... it seems kids nowadays don't get to experience such historical shifts (from analog to digital for ex), but hey: I am yet again surrounded by MOOGS so there ya go!

TRANSMISSION IN LIMBO - Chill Sessions - Skender Makota & Henry Ellis 2002

Don't Look Back - Skender Makota - Telepop Music RMX - D-Min

My FREEDOM - Makotas 2024 V1

original song by Skender & Jasmina Makota
the brand new Live Pa House Music Duo consisting of a brother and sister team, with brother Skender taking care of the half tne shizzle, while Jasmina delivers the product with her perfect pitch and precious voice, as well as adding music parts and lyrics,,, and to think we both share the same Mom, she should be proud and she is!
More on our DUO which we currently call simply Makotas, The Brother and Sister by the way of war torn Balkan, tough streets of Chicago, Boston, NYC, Mexico City... 
We plan a tour soon playing all our original material, for now sign up for the newsletter at Balkanimal.com and we will keep you updated on our schedule dates and show locations!

My FREEDOM - Makotas 2024 V1 - Skender & Jasmina Makota

END OF THE WORLD V5 2024 - Skender Makota
ORIGINAL TRACK by Skender Makota
IN ANOTHER, latest flavor 2024mix

END OF THE WORLD V5 2024 - Skender Makota

MY FREEDOM (and Yours Too!)- PRICELESS MIX -  Skender + Jasmina MAKOTA - V4 2021mix

FEATURING MY TALENTED SISTER, BROUGHT UP IN THE TOUGHEST CHI HAD TO OFFER, ALONGSIDE THE BEST as it rewarded us with  unconditional love for HOUSE MUSIC!

CHICAGO HOUSEHEADS PARTY CAUSE ITS IN OUR SYSTEMS! 
AND PART OF WHO WE REALLY ARE... 
AS WELL AS GIVES US GUIDANCE 
to avoid violence, oppose wars and really just 
LIVE AND LET LIVE in return...

MY FREEDOM (and Yours Too!)- PRICELESS MIX -  Skender & Jasmina MAKOTA - V4 2021mix

Makotas Go Sub Orbital - Halcion Nod to the legends
performed by Skender and Jasmina Makota
original v1

Makotas Go Sub Orbital - Halcion Nod to the legends

SAMBA OF MY SOUL V2 2024 - DaMonleynutz Project Chicago Revival Www.balkanimal.com

daMonkeynutz Project revival 2024
- Munk Julious
- Skender Makota
- Miles Holt
- Dj Kwak

The underground Chicago House Team of reclusive beat makers and natural born househeads from the Home of House Music - the CHITOWN

SAMBA OF MY SOUL V2 2024 - DaMonkeynutz Project Chicago Revival Www.balkanimal.com

My Freedom (to express myself Mix 2020 - Makotas - Skender & Jasmina Makota
version 3 original song
Live to two

Brother & Sister Live House Music Act CHicago IL

My Freedom (to express myself Mix 2020 - Makotas - Skender & Jasmina Makota Original

Sunday Morning - original by Skender Makota daBalkanimal 
feat. 
DaMonkeynutz Project Revival Mix
Monkeynutz Project - Live PA Chicago based quartet of true and real househeads:
- Corey McCue aka Munk Julious
- Skender Makota aka daBalkanimal
- Miles Holt
- DJ Kwak

Sunday Morning - Skender Makota - DaMonkeynutz Project

ILLUSION - Skender Makota daBalkanimal 
Rmx v2
remix of a classic by Imagination

ILLUSION - Skender Makota daBalkanimal Rmx v2

love paints a picture - monkeynutz project balkanimal mix2 skender makota

Second mix prior to vocals of another unreleased gem by the monkeynutz project, legendary undrground chicago house live band consisted of CoreyMcCue (Munk  Julious), Skender Makota daBalkanimal, DJ Kwak and Miles Holt.
Currently in preparation for reunion and tour of many hours of great Chicago house sounds played live by the Chicago househeads themselves!

Love Paints A Picture - da monkeynutz project balkanimal mix2 skender makota

U Turn The Page I Close The Book - Skender Makota DaBalkanimal - V1 2017 Eb - Min

FREEDOM - Jimmy Jackson Skender Makota Balkanimal RMX
V1 extended
Remix of a classic by Skender Makota da Balkanimal

Fun fact, I was born in 1979, remixed in 2018

Instead of playing garbage, seek out some music by great artists who never received enough credit in their lifetime for the hard and awesome work they did, learn how it's done when done by heart!
----
Original Credits etc:
Jimmy Jackson - Freedom To Express Yourself
Warner-Tamerlane/Ordena (BMI)
℗ 1979 Buddah Records, Inc.

Arranged By – David Van DePitte
Mixed By – Jerry Bossa
Producer – David Van DePitte, Jimmy Jackson
Label: Buddah Records – DSC 136

-----
About Jimmy Jackson:
Jimmy Jackson was born August 1st, 1945 in Harlem, New York City, New York to a mother who was a gospel vocalist inspiring him to follow her footsteps. He was immediately rewarded in 1959 by winning the top honors for amateurs night at the famed Apollo Theatre in NYC.

It convinced him to follow his dream as a vocalist musician but then he pursued a career in law enforcement becoming a New Haven, Connecticut police officer in 1975. He continued to record and perform even getting an album deal with Neil Bogart's Buddah Records in the process releasing his cover of Lobo's "I'd Love You To Want Me" in 1974.

That lead to his recording and releasing "Rollin Dice" with his soulful covers of then recent hit pop songs sprinkled in a few originals that round out the collection did not chart. His fifth release for the label was a 12" only release of "Freedom To Express Yourself" His last single, "It's Summertime Again" was released in 1981

Not much is known what happened to the 6' 3" artist after that. He was known  to perform with a Bridgeport, Connecticut female trio by the name of "Black Magic" consisting of Charlene Whittaker, Rose Gaines and Bennie Dennis. He was also backed by the Naugatuck, Connecticut band by the name of Water Witch, who accompanied him on the 3-night stand he had with Melba Moore and other Buddah Records acts at the Apollo Theatre. The father of five was also a Jehovah's Witness, died  April 30th, 2003  at he age of 57.

FREEDOM - Jimmy Jackson Skender Makota Balkanimal RMX

SAMBA OF MY SOUL - daMonkeynutzProject 
Skender Makota Balkanimal Woozy Mix 2019

Original by Chicago based 4-member House Production team, daMONKEYNUTZ PROJECT!
Monkeynutz are
- Munk Julious (Corey McCue)
- Skender Makota (daBalkanimal)
- DJ Kwak
- Miles Holt

REVIVAL 2025, stay tuned or sign up for updates, tour dates and shows and get free downloads at www.balkanimal.com  



SAMBA OF MY SOUL - daMonkeynutzProject - Skender Makota Balkanimal Woozy Mix balkanimal.com

Q'S JAMMY - daMONKEYNUTZ Project - 
Skender Makota daBalkanimal V2

Original by Chicago based 4-member House Production team, daMONKEYNUTZ PROJECT!
Monkeynutz are
- Munk Julious (Corey McCue)
- Skender Makota (daBalkanimal)
- DJ Kwak
- Miles Holt

REVIVAL 2025, stay tuned or sign up for updates, tour dates and shows and get free downloads at www.balkanimal.com

Q'S JAMMY - daMONKEYNUTZ Project - Skender Makota daBalkanimal V2

FREEDOM'S ON SALE BUT WHO'S BUYING - Skender Makota DaBalkanimal Original Instr Mix From upcoming release My Freedom EP with my sister Jasmina Makota, sorry bout the pun in the title this time it's freedom, not love that nobody wants :)

FREEDOM'S ON SALE BUT WHO'S BUYING - Skender Makota - orig inst mix from My Freedom EP

COSMIC INDUSTRY 
(where my glowsticks at?...:))
original track, V1 2019mix, by Skender Makota *daBalkanimal*

COSMIC INDUSTRY - Skender Makota

ALL IN 4 DA EPIC WIN 2025 

Slava Ukraini!!! 2025!!!

------------------------
SKENDER MAKOTA daBalkanimal MIX 1 of V3
Original track dating from the early 2000's, never released,, until NOW ;).
-----------
Originally made in early 2000's when we started using DAW on a more regular basis and with more confidence, namely Reason and Protools instead of analog gear... since we stopped dealing with studio time, zeroing the SSL 4000 series console, counting and checking all the mics in the mic cabinet, and all of the cables...  we simply used royalty free samples we found online in sample database and moved on! 
Besides, who doesn't like Sean Connery??


ALL IN 4 DA EPIC WIN - 2025 Mix - Skender Makota daBalkanimal V3

FREAK OUT - Ash &.Dash Chicago
 (Skender Makota & Mel Hammond) Balkanimal Mix 2 2018

Original track by Ash & Dash, Chicago based DJ's/producers/composers performing a Live Act of all original Chicago Underground true house music.

Skender Makota  and Mel Hammond are not just music partners, but best friends who went through a lot together in life, and shared everything in the process! 
House music in Chicago, to an average local, is basically CHICAGO, the sound of home... 
Unlike elsewhere where people think of house music as "party" music p[played at certain events and then nada till the next weekend!
 
Chicago plays house all week long and all over the city there are banging DJ's doing wonders on the decks, because house is in our blood!

Mel is a legend behind legendary music  events, especially underground invite only  parties which shaped the house music scene from the basements of Chicago South Side parties, to some fo the biggest and most important events and festivals worldwide, he played an essential role in the history of the genre which quickly took over the world and never faded, as other genres came and went in the meantime...

Today we refer to that sound as HOUSE MUSIC, but it all stetted right in  backstreets and shady locations all across the original party capital of the world - CHICAGO! 
Househeads never stop dancing, and spreading love, and you could often see an 80-year old grandma holding her 2 year grandson and dancing just as everyone else and having a good time in the middle of a work day in some random spot, just because...

House music was  creating a unique phenomena in an otherwise segregated city of hard working folks battling cold, snow blizzards and crime just to get by...so having some fun with like minded people, who were of all races, genders, nationalities etc, safe areas where hatred and tough life was left at the doorstep... only love for each other and music was needed, and that is what they got! 

MEL HAMMOND is behind many of such historical events and helped keep the scene alive when it was tough , as well as extremely talented musician and producer, and of course - DJ like no other.. 

This is version 2 of an upcoming EP coming out soon containing a shorter version, but also 16min MONSTER  that is BEYOND slutty, a gang bang of beats, Moog solos and bases and of course, Mel telling us how it is in 'real world Chicago" :)

More on Ash & Dash, including tour dates and locations coming up! This EP is just one of the few unreleased future classics that we are eager to share very soon!

FREAK OUT - Ash &.Dash Chicago (Skender Makota & Mel Hammond) Balkanimal Mix 2 2018

MY FREEDOM (Instrumental Version) - Skender Makota Balkanimal Mix 2021)

SILENT FREEDOM - Instrumental Deep Dub of My Freedom EP with Jasmina & Skender Makota- Balkanimal Mix 2021)

Decade On - Skender Makota Original - V1 2014
original song from 2014, mix1
That time when I became a total Moog Slut, and Minitaur WAS the sound that made it clear to me which way to go... That bass is just PURE ANALOG BEAUTY....

Decade On - Skender Makota Original - V1 2014

DOOMENICA - Skender Makota daBalkanimal V2
Original song mix2

DOOMENICA - Skender Makota daBalkanimal V2

End Of the World V4 - Skender Makota daBalkanimal - ORIGINALS Chimix 4 with Mel Hammond on LIVE Percussion 
original song by Skender Makota from CHIMIX 4 Live act, with percussion and synth parts added on the go!
ASH & DASH CHICAGO 2025

End Of the World V4 - Skender Makota daBalkanimal - ORIGINALS Chimix 4 with Mel Hammond on LIVE Percussion

DOLPHINS IN LOVE V4 - Skender Makota daBalkanimal - ORIGINALS Chimix 4 with Mel Hammond on LIVE Percussion 

BECAUSE OF YOU V4 - Skender Makota daBalkanimal - ORIGINALS Chimix 4 with Mel Hammond on LIVE Percussion 

IN FLAVOR OF YOU *V1* Original Mix - SKENDER MAKOTA daBalkanimal
original song by Skender Makota 
Mix 1 2017
part of unreleased ambient werx compilation



IN FLAVOR OF YOU *V1* Original Mix - SKENDER MAKOTA daBalkanimal

Da Too Of Us Again - Skender Makota daBalkanimal Original
Original by Skender Makota (U2)
2018 mix 2

Da 2 Of Us Again - Skender Makota daBalkanimal Original

Blue Boom BLU - Skender Makota daBalkanimal
v1
Original track by Skender Makota

Blue Boom BLU - Skender Makota daBalkanimal

IN FLAVOR OF YOU *V2* Deep Dub 2 - SKENDER MAKOTA daBalkanimal
original song,  MIX2 

IN FLAVOR OF YOU *V2* Deep Dub 2 - SKENDER MAKOTA daBalkanimal

JUNGLE FEVER 3SUM - Pt 3 "Finale Bonaza" - skender makota daBalkanimal
original song by Skender Makota aka Bonaza
part of a three song themed ambient/jungle/drumnbass saga
Please start with Part 1, listen through Part 2 and end here with Part 3.

JUNGLE FEVER 3SUM - Pt 3 "Finale Bonaza" - skender makota daBalkanimal

JUNGLE FEVER 3SUM - Pt 2 :OASIS: - skender makota daBalkanimal
original song by Skender Makota 
part 2 of a three song themed ambient/jungle/drumnbass saga
Updated mix, due to icky sticky I missed a few mistakes, fixed now.
Please start with Part 1, listen through Part 2 and end here with Part 3.

JUNGLE FEVER 3SUM - Pt 2 "Oasis" - skender makota daBalkanimal

JUNGLE FEVER 3SUM - Pt 1 - skender makota daBalkanimal
original song by Skender Makota 
part of a three song themed ambient/jungle/drumnbass saga
Please start with Part 1, listen through Part 2 and end here with Part 3.

JUNGLE FEVER 3SUM - Pt 1 - skender makota daBalkanimal

12 - ETERNAL LOVE - V3 Chimix 3 Originals Live Improv Song 12  - Skender Makota daBalkanimal

11 - CREAM - V3 Chimix 3 Originals Live Improv Song 11  - Skender Makota daBalkanimal

9 - IMPROV - V3 Chimix 3 Originals Live Improv Song 9  - Skender Makota daBalkanimal

8 - HEAR TO STAY - V3 Chimix 3 Originals Live Improv Song 8  - Skender Makota daBalkanimal

7 - CIRCUS IN TOWN - V3 Chimix 3 Originals Live Improv Song 7 - Skender Makota daBalkanimal 

4 - DA TWO OF US AGAIN - V3 Chimix 3 Originals Live Improv Song 4  - Skender Makota daBalkanimal

3 - ET HAUS 2 - V3 Chimix 3 Originals Live Improv Song 3  - Skender Makota daBalkanimal

1 - DEMINORA - V3 Chimix 3 Originals Live Improv Song 1  - Skender Makota daBalkanimal

Get Busy - Skender Makota feat Mr Lee

Speaka Da Moogish - Skender Makota Balkanimal 
(Simpley Neve)
Original by Skender Makota
Minitaur is not so MINI after all.... Bass now tells a story, roots are for loserz!

Speaka Da Moogish - Skender Makota Balkanimal

Da Balkanimal DJ SET Of Original Remixez - Illusion, AshSimpson, I Hayes - v1_2024

All original production by Skender Makota daBalkanimal remixing the classics and playing them in my own DJ SET... I repeat, DJ SET NOT a REMIX (if soundcloud police be bullshittin again...)
:)
All of my remixes can also be found on my website www.balkanimal.com in a single song form and downloadable in hi res 44k/24bit wav file (CD quality for the youngsters, let's abandon mp3 and respect the sound, enjoy it the way it was meant to be...)

1 - Illusion (Imagination) - 2018 mix
2 - Ashford & Simpson - Found The Cure
3 - Don't Let Go - Isaac Hayes - ext. version


Da Balkanimal DJ SET Of Original Remixez - Illusion, AshSimpson, I Hayes - v1_2024

ARBA ISLA - DJ Balkanimal Original Skender Makota mix2
2024 version
Original song by Skender Makota

ARBA ISLA - DJ Balkanimal Original Skender Makota mix2

In Dis Haus We Aint Alone - Skender Makota daBalkanimal V1
original song by SKender Makota daBALKANIMAL
V1 2024

In Dis Haus We Aint Alone - Skender Makota daBalkanimal V1

THA MESSAGE v4 - Abicah Soul Project & Skender Makota Balkanimal - 2025 Mix V4
original by Skender Makota daBalkanimal & DJ STAXX aka Abicah Soul Project.
Updated 2025 insanity mix!

THA MESSAGE v4 - Abicah Soul Project & Skender Makota Balkanimal - 2025 Mix V4

U Turn The Page I Close The Book - V2 Mix 2025 - Skender Makota daBalkanimal
original song by Skender Makota, mix 2 2025

U Turn The Page I Close The Book - V2 Mix 2025 - Skender Makota daBalkanimal

DaRythym - daMONKEYNUTZ Chicago Project Feat. Jasmina Makota
MIX 1 - original
Original song by CHICAGO LIVE HOUSE MUSIC BAND - daMONKEYNUTZ project Revival 2025!
Featuring JASMINA MAKOTA

Monkeynutz Are:
- Corey McCue aka Munk Julious
- Skender Makota aka daBALKANIMAL
- Miles Holt
- DJ Kwak

DaRythym - daMONKEYNUTZ Chicago Project Feat. Jasmina Makota

Essencia Mi Vida - da MONKEYNUTZ Project - Skender Makota daBalkanimal Mix 1
ORIGINAL SONG, part of the upcoming MONKEYNUTZ REVIVAL PROJECT

daMONKEYNUTZ PROJECT are:
- Munk Julious
- Skender Makota
- Miles Holt
- DJ Kwak



Essencia Mi Vida - da MONKEYNUTZ Project - Skender Makota daBalkanimal Mix 1

Jacky Jammy
original mix, recorded back in 2010 at ELSTON LAWRENCE studio  

Jacky Jammy

Dec 13 2018 - TECHNO & HOUSE mix
by 
Skender Makota 

recorded at
ZG UNDERGROUND (Zagreb, Croatia)

Skender Makota - DJ MIX - ZG UNDERGROUND techno + house - Dec 13 2018

Skender Makota 
HOUSE SET
recorded at 
Zg Underground - Zagreb CROATIA 14 Dec 2018

Skender Makota DJ MIX HOUSE Zg Underground 14 Dec 2018

Skender Makota TECHNO+HOUSE 
PART 1 

recorded at Zg Underground - Zagreb Croatia 15 Dec 2018

Skender Makota DJ MIX TECHNO+HOUSE PART 1 Zg Underground 15 Dec 2018

Oldskool House DJ Mix 2 
feat. Frankie Knuckles traxx
by
Skender Makota 

Recorded on the "Crazy Beach" Jul 6 2019

Oldskool House feat. Frankie Knuckles - DJ Mix 2 - Skender Makota Crazy Beach Jul 6 2019

Thanks for checking out my music! 
_____

www.balkanimal.com for more songs and free downloads 
www.skendermakota.com for more music in all sub-genres
www.ash-dash.com for my Chicago based all original music Live PA House Music Duo with DJ Mel Hammond
------------------
Additional Info and projects:

Part of ASH & DASH - house music live act duo with Chicago legendary DJ/producer, Mel Hammond. 
www.ash-dash.com
--

Another live act project, the legendary Chicago Underground House Live Act from the 2000's - DA MONKEYNUTZ PROJECT - currently being revived and prepared for live performance.
Monkeynutz Project 
- Corey McCue aka Munk Julious
- Skender Makota aka daBalkanimal
- Miles Holt
- DJ Kwak

--

Starting a live act duo with my talented sister, Jasmina Makota (jasminamusic.com), keep an eye out for upcoming releases of our new songs with her on the vocals!
More on all that soon, sign up for updates on skendermakota.com or balkanimal.com!

------------------

Some of the gear I use when composing, producing or performing my music...

Keys/piano; MOOG, Roland, KORG
Bass guitar:- Sandberg Jazz bass; 
Synth: - Moog bass, synth lines, 
Guitar: Gibson Les Paul
+ the pretty awesome poor man Gibson, but just as good Epiphone Les Paul, 
Moog Subarmonicon, 
Moog DFAM, 
Moog Mother32, 
Moog MINITAUR (I used this baby a LOT, especially in the earlier unreleased work you can hear on this page, or my website + download for free). 
Moog Sub37
Moog Little Phatty SIg Edition
Pioneer DJM900NXS2
Pioneer CDJ900NXS
+ many other pieces of gear these are just to name a few.

-------------------

Balkanimal - focus on live pa performances where I try to recreate different mixes of my own original house, deep house, tech house, techno, minimal, ambient, jungle... well, you get the  idea :)
IF IT MOVES, THEN IT GROOVES!


I try to not restrict myself in the world of electronic music composition and creation by staying within the confines of sub-genres, expectations, lingering in the (boring) safe zone, the beaten path which in my view is a waste of time. 
I try to push the envelope and reinvent. 
I also like meeting, collaborating and otherwise hanging out with people who share this view, not just music and art, but science, education, life and social acceptance, where we truly are equal cause we truly feel that way. 

Trend followers are not worth my time, neither am I worth theirs.. 
but if you want to reinvent, and have fun in life doing it by exploring options and adjusting instilled expectations in electronic music creation... then by all means - we're already friends!

contact: musicnlight@gmail.com
------------------

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Future historians do not follow trends...
They set the trend followers on the right path to the future!
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++


------------------

skender

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