Hello, My name is Alby Cohen. I am a music producer and recording engineer with relationships at various studios all over Brooklyn and New York City across all budget levels. I was once a touring musician but these days I find pleasure in helping other musicians achieve their own goals. take a look around and let me know if there is anything I can help you with. Your music is my passion.
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Size McStudio Has Moved To A New Space!
Size McMusicand Size McStudio have moved to a studio located in South Williamsburg, Brooklyn, New York, 1 block from theEast River Ferry along the East River on Kent Ave. The Studio is an intimate place, inviting to creative urges yet setup more like you living room. The control room boasts a 32 channel analog hyrbrid studio at mixdown and 32 channels for live multi-tracking centered around a Neve 5432 Console, and API 8200a/3124MB+ combo and an 18 channel Sony/MCI JH618 heavily with modded john Hardy Pres. There is a huge selection of outboard gear and vintage instruments and amps and a rooftop with arguably the best view in New York City. Whatever your needs from the first arrangements to the final Mix, Size McStudio is here at your service. For more go to the gear pageon this website for a full gearlist.
KevRio & The Dashing Gents gear up for a Full Length LP
KevRio & The Dashing Gents are making a full length record with Alby Cohen producing. This is Kevin Riordan’s second project with Alby. Tracking occured at Whitewater Studios (Studio G) and will pick up mixing with Alby atSize McStudio.
Simon Says try my new Neve out! Pharoahe Monch and I have been tracking and working together for almost 4 years now. He has traveled with me through a few different rooms. The ultimate compliment is when an artist like Pharoahe comes to your home studio. A man of no pretensions, he just likes working with me. Thanks for the love Monch! We worked on a track called “Word Life” Stay Tuned. Size McStudio is on fire in 2014!!!!!
“Push To Open” is a really eclectic and new sound for Matisyahu . I am glad I had the opportunity to work on it. Last June, after demoing tracks for his upcoming release at Eric Krasno’s now defunct, Feel Music Studios, Matisyahu and I kept in touch and as his project was winding down he asked if I would take a stab at one track. It features C-Rayz Walz. The mix was done at Size McStudio as well as tracking vocals for the hook.
NØMADS Gets featured in Spin. Vocals and Synths recorded at Size McStudio
NØMADShas been featured in SPiN Magazine. Their full length hits stores April 8th. The Bass and Drum Duo id most of the work themselves except for the vocals and synths which I helped track. Pretty cool to be the only other person involve in recording this project besides the dup themselves. Check out the article or you can listen by clicking the play button below.
Matisyahu came by to cut some vocals @Size McStudio
Matisyahu, whom I helped demo for his upcoming record, came by to work on a hook for a track. Mela Machinkocame by for the hang. He even shouted me out. Thanks Matis!
Last year, Zak brought me a bunch of music he had been working on over the three prior years before. All of it was material recorded at other studios. Over the course of the last year, Zak and I have poured through the material, added some parts and glues these sogs together. It was a 6 months of hard work and I couldn;t be happier with the result.
You can also stream the record and listen by clicking the album art below. I produced this album with Zak as well as mixed most of the tracks.
Click album art to stream or purchase from bandcamp
Sonic Scoop did a write up on me and my work with Talib Kweli’s Prisoner of Conscience
The people at Sonic Scoopare doing a series on tracking vocals and with the release of Talib Kweli’s Prisoner of Conscience. Click the link above to check out the article.
It is with great pleasure that I can announce the release of Talib Kweli’s - Prisoner Of Conscience. I had the opportunity to record most of the album as well as the priviledge or arranging strings for 3 songs. Buy yourself a copy today. Click the artwork below:
Working with international funkster Rob Gentryat Whitewater Studios today. very excited. My buddy Ezra Oklan(seen here drumming) was kind enough to introduce us.
Adding some overdubs on Zak Smith’s upcoming album
Here in the lab adding different parts and elements Zak Smith’s upcoming album. Going back and forth between Whitewater and my home home studio, Size McStudio to get all the parts down.
Starting work again with Zak Smith on his upcoming album
I have begun work on Zak Smith’s next full length album. I will be producing and adding arrangements to previously recorded and unfinished material he has amassed over the last few years. Today we start vocals.
Tracking the Hit maker Bernard Purdie @Whitewater studios
My buddy Dan Dubelman (Dr. Dan’s Music Show) on a project he is producing for Sista Shree. He is friends with the the Hitmaker and brought him into the session. It was a amazing tracking the hit maker in such an amazing room.
Kickin in with Daru Jones, Yuki, and Brian Cockerham
After months on the road with Jack White, Daru had some downtime and hooked up with his old buddies Daru and Brian to make some music. It was a great session.
Pharoahe Monch released his first single off the upcoming album PTSD entitled “Damage.” The pic below was taken right at the top of the hook where he says “OOOOOOOO, Listen to the way I slay.” Fun session. Dig the Loggins and Messina shirt too
Tracking drums for Break Science’s next album @ Whitewater Studios
Tried out a new studio last night. Whitewater Studios located in the B Room of the Studio G facility in Greenpoint. What an amazing room sound. With needless to say a phenomenal drummer in Adam Deitch killing it.
After producing five songs for Zak Smith earlier this year, I am back it with another round. We started vocal tracking. Eventually we will add new instruments and then on to mixing. Feeling some Jersey pride on this project.
Back in June for about a week, Talib Kweli came in a recorded a bunch of tracks for the Attack The Block Mixtape. The album dropped today. He picked out some other tracks that were done during the recording of Prisoner of Conscience (Blacksmith/EMI) due out very soon. On a track i recorded with him much earlier, “To The Music” (with 9th Wonder) Kweli gives me a shout out. Another track with Tracy Chapman and Jessica Moore called “Fly Away” has string arrangements written by myself, Gene Back and Chad Hammer. A true honor. Click the pic to download the mixtape.
Click album art to download mixtape
“Fly Away” – Talib Kweli (I recorded most vocals and all live instrumetns, I arranged strings with Chad Hammer and Gene Back
“The The Music” – Talib Kweli with 9th Wonder (I recorded all vocals and live instruments…dig the shout out 45 seconds in)
Universal recording artists Rizzle Kicks released their remixes of their Epic Dreamers. The first remix on the compilation has a verse from Pharoahe Monchwhich I recorded back in April.
Alby Cohen gets props from Talib Kweli in Electronic Musician Magazine for Idle Warship Album.
Electronic Musician interviewed Idle Warship (Talib Kweli and Res). I got a little space in the article talking about some tools I used, and Kweli gave me a huge shout out. He called me a “Total Music Geek” who really gets into what he is working on.
So jest.com did a little video shoot of Gilbert Gottfried being an audio book narrator for “50 Shades of Grey.” Its pretty funny I laighed my ass off, you can to check it out below.
Brought in some friends to come and help out my buddy Zak Smith on his upcoming album. I brought in Mela Machinko (vocals), Matt Whyte (keys), and Thomas Bryan Eaton (Mandolin and Pedal Steel). All in a day’s work.
Zak Smith and I are working on a bunch of songs over the next year. He recorded most of the basics a while back, I am bringing in some other arrangement ideas and will be mixing everything. Looking forward to seeing this thing through.
My buddy Lee Diamond stopped by to record tracks for his project Shock Radar. The EP we cut live stuff for is called Systematic. Joining him on the session were Jeff Knutsen and Don Devore.
Lee laying down some drums for his Shock Radar project
Kyp Malone tracking more material for Rain Machine next two weeks
Kyp was back in scattered over the last few weeks working on material for the Rain Machine album. We added some drums, horns, and worked on a new song or two.
Tracking some overdubs for Larune (Kamara Thomas Album)
My buddy Jeff Malinowski, who plays with Kamara Thomas regularly in Ghost Gamblers, came by the new spot to try out the grand piano for Kamara’s solo project Larune.
Arranging and recording strings for three songs on Talib Kweli’s upcoming album
After doing helping Talib Kweli out with “Rat Race” off of the Idle Warship album back in November, he approached me about doing strings for four more songs slated for his upcoming album. The usual suspects of Gene Back and Chad Hammer Helped me out on songs like, “Hamster Wheel,” “She’s Got That Ticket,” and “Mic Check,”
Alby Tracking “Mic Check” on Prisoner of Conscience
Kyp Malone (TV On The Radio) came in to Rough Magic and worked with me for the last week or so on a follow up to his debut Rain Machine album. I look forward to working with him and seeing where we go. Been a great week.
Talib Kweli here for the last three days with Black Star in last night
Had a pretty good back to back to back run of sessions with Kweli. The first two were putting touch ups on tracks from Prisoner of Conscience. Last Night, Blacks Star, meaning Yasiin popped in for a few hours. They were working on a track either for Kweli’s album or mixtape called “Closing Hymn.”
Idle Warship released Habits of the Heart today. Its a great album and I am proud that I was able to be part of it. Got my first string arrangement credit on the track “Rat Race”
Rubber Skunk release their self titled debut album
Rubber Skunkreleased their debut album. It is a hodgepodge of all sorts of forms of fusion, jazz and rock. I love it and had a great tie working on it. you can purchase it HERE.
Talib Kweli, Posdnuos and DJ Shadow release Stay the Course
DJ Shadow’s new album The Less You Know, The Better dropped today with a track including Talib Kweli and Posdnuos from Del La Soul. Kweli cut his verse with me back in April of this year.
Been working with Skoob (aka Books from Das Efx) the last few months
I have been working with a Hip Hop Legend the last few months. Skoob aka Books from Das Efx. He’s been working on a couple of songs out of Sound Machine Studios in Manhattan.
Alby is tracking and doing string arrangement for Idle Warship
Been working with Idle Warhsip in and off for a few years. Now I am helping track most of their album. On a specific track, “Rat Race” I suggested that perhaps strings be added. He said “good ideal, let’s do it tomorrow.” After a few hours, I had my two friends Gene Back (Violin) and Chad Hammer (Cello)
So that track that I sang background vocals on for Pharoahe Monch….well, it was a replay of a random King Crimson song. Apparently King Crimson’s lawyers thought that the song was a blatant rip from the originally recorded track. They particually focused in on the background vocals. Apparently my shit was so good they thought it was theirs. Speaking of Pharoahe Monch, we were just cutting some tracks today at my spot.
Rough Magic clients The Kobolds released their sophmore effort EP II today. The 5 song EP was tracked, mixed and mastered at Rough Magic Studios. I produced and engineered and R.E. Thuggz mixed and mastered. The Kodolds allowed me to bring in some awesome session musicians for strings (Meredith Mitchell, Erika Smith), Horns (Lakecia Benjamin, Maurice Brown, Mark Williams, and Chelsea Baratz) and Keys and Synths (Borahm Lee and Arina Ayzen). Check out the video from their EP a song called “The Grind”
Went from working with 0 Hollywood actors to two in one day. Last night the Legendary Mos Def came by and hung during a late night Kweli session for Prisoner of Conscience. Tonight / This Morning, Bow Wow came by the studio to cut a track on his new album featuring Talib Kweli. Bow Wow has been documenting his album Underrated with Webisodes on Youtube. He did one below. Check it out.
Kweli, Jean Grae, Brady Watt, Bun B and Me hanging out
Pharoahe Monch drops W.A.R. (We Are Renegades) today
Pharoahe Monch has released his long awaited album W.A.R. in stores everywhere today. Rough Magic had the pleasure of tracking the song Illusion which featuredCitizen Cope on the hook and Jean Grae on backing vocals. I also sang background vocals as well as engineered on the song “The Grand Illusion” on this album.
Talib Kweli Gutter Rainbows released, #1 on Itunes Hip Hop Chart for a week.
Talib Kweli dropped Gutter Rainbows today on Itunes and on a small run of Vinyl. I got myself a copy. You can purchase digitally HERE
I just want to say its not lost on me that three albums dropped today, one from a buddy who pulled me back into music, another a dude who taught me a lot about how to be a good engineer, and finally the BKMC himself who gave me a shot. Pretty amazing they all dropped their albums on the same day. Thank you to all of you.
Adam Deitch and Borahm Lee areBreak Science. Today they released their first EP, Further Than Our Eyes Can See. I tracked a verse with Kweli for Break Science somewhere in the middle of the Gutter Rainbows Sessions. Its the first track called “The Allience.” You can purchase the EP HERE
Thomas Bryan Eaton releases When You’re Dancing EP
My old friend Thomas Bryan Eaton has released the When You’re Dancing EP. Alot of it was tracked by me and I did some final tweaks on the mixes as well. You can purchase the EP HERE.
Its not everyday you get a call from three generations of Nevilles, but today was such a day. Ian called me up first saying him and his cousin Ivan were working on a track down in New Orleans. Eventually Ivan gave me a buzz telling me his father Aaron was coming over. So there it is, I got no pictures for this session but I can definitley tell you that I worked with an absolute legend today. What an absolute honor.
Alby tracking a Pharoahe Monch and Citizen Cope song produced by Fyre Dept
This was definitely a fun day at the office. Eric Krasno and Adam Deitch (FYRE DEPT) were asked to produce a track for Pharoahe Monch‘s upcoming album. The hook was sung by Citizen Cope. I tracked as well as sang background vocals on it.
A month before the release ofGutter Rainbows, Blackmith Records, Talib Kweli’s label has released mixtape promoting their artists including Kweli himself. I personally tracked about 5 or so songs and mixed some of them as well. You can download the mixtape HERE
Talib Kweli and Alby Cohen Working hard to Finish up Next Album
September has been a busy month for Alby and Talib Kweli. With a mixtape due out in December (The Blacksmith Community Mixtape), Kweli’s Gutter Rainbows is also looking seeing its finishing line as well. Gutter Rainbows will be due out sometime in January next year.
Sonia’s Party Released their single “Major Transfer Point” today off their album Party O’Clock. The track was produced by Adam Deitch and engineered by yours truly. You can purchase the album HERE
Hunters, Run! is releasing their final 7″ Vinyl EP which I had the fortune to produce these guys truly are an awesome band. The album was mastered by Mastered by my friend Steve Fallone at Sterling Sound. You can check out more details as well as Purchase Here
Mel Flannery Trucking Co. Released As It Turns Out today. I tracked the vocals and added some additional mixing to the track. You can purchase the album HERE
Ledisi(Verve/Universal) was nominated for two 2010 Grammy Awards in the R&B field for her album Turn Me Loose.
Two of the tracks were cut here at Rough Magic with Fyre Dept. (Eric Krasno and Adam Deitch) and I was lucky to assist on them. I want to congratulate her on her recent achievements.
Begining production with Dave Lott on Gates of Brooklyn EP
Beginning production on Dave Lott‘s solo debut EP, Gates of Brooklyn. I am engineering, drumming, singing and of course co-producing with my old friend Dave.
Assisting on The Slip sessions at Rough Magic Studios
Avant-Rock Trio,The Slipbegan work this month on their new as of yet untitled album. This will the be the follow up to the groundbreaking Eisenhower, which can be purchasedHERE. We are very proud to have them here. I saw these guys a bunch back in the day, truly an honor to work with these cats.
Ledisi(Verve/Universal)released Turn Me Loose on Aug 19th, which has been #1 on the Itunes soul charts for the last 3 weeks. As was mentioned in a previous post, Ledisi recorded two vocal tracks (“Knockin” and “Say No”) produced by Rough Magic friendsFyre Deptin our studio.
Hobo Nephews of Uncle Frank release Travelling Show
A year ago I worked on this album with my buddy from college Ian Alexy. He took the album back to Minnesota added a few pieces of color and here it is in its final form. Proud to have worked on this great album.
Hunters, Run! is releasing the Second of four 7″ Vinyl EPs that will be recorded and mixed and produced at Rough Magic by Alby Cohen and Mastered by Our friend Steve Fallone at Sterling Sound. You can check out more details as well as Purchase Here
Yesterday I ventured out of my comfort zone over to Seaside Lounge and began production on Hunters, Run!‘s 2nd 7″ vinyl EP. Love these tracks, love that space.
Hunters, Run! is releasing the first of four 7″ Vinyl EPs that will be recorded and mixed at Rough Magic. I produced, engineered and sang on these tracks. It was mastered by my friend Steve Fallone at Sterling Sound. You can check out more details as well as Purchase Here
Jon Graboff does some session work for Hobo Nephews
Jon Graboff, pedal steel guitarist to just about everyone these days (Ryan Adams and the Cardinals, Willie Nelson, David Byrne, Norah Jones), lent a hand for some tracks on the upcoming Hobo Nephews album I worked on a few weeks back. He also tracked some tunes for yours truly. What an amazing musician. What a great day in the studio.
Larry Hess, one of my oldest friends and musical comrades, is coming to work with me on the first of a series of EPs slated for release over the next year and change. The name of the band is Hunters, Run!
My old College buddyIan Alexy, reached out to do some recording. I hadn’t seen him in years as he is based in Minneapolis. This project including his brother, Teague Alexy, is called the Hobo Nephews of Uncle Frank. They asked their buddy Marco Benevento to join in on the session. Stay tuned for the release date.
Ian Alexy and Marco Benevento working out parts for “Silver Spoons”
