DLG (Dark Latin Groove)

DLG, short for Dark, Latin Groove, delivers an energetic sound anchored in Latin salsa and enlivened by dollops of bass-heavy reggae, hip-hop, and the sample-driven wing of house music. Assembled within New York’s Latin club circuit under producer Sergio George, the outfit took shape after he recruited vocalists Huey Dunbar and James “Da Barba” de Jesus—the first a smooth soul crooner, the second a ragga-tinged rapper who had previously supported Tito Nieves and Sistah Souljah—then molded them into DLG.

Inked to Sergio’s own Sir George Records, the group unveiled its debut album Dark, Latin Groove in April 1996, a spirited LP showcasing strong contributions from George on keyboards, Marc Quiñones on percussion, and Ruben Rodriguez on bass, among additional players. Their second album, Swing On, followed in August 1997.