Pioneering New York house label Nu Groove will release new music for the first time in almost thirty years this March. Debuting with a special 12”, NYC DJ/producer Jovonn and Swiss Character Records boss Deetron will be the first to release on the refreshed Nu Groove, with Defected overseeing the new era of the classic label, since acquiring the catalogue in 2017.

Nu Groove was one of the pioneering house music labels to come out of New York, originally active between 1988 and 1992, its mark on the scene was to be felt for years to come. Started by Frank and Karen Mendez as an outlet for some of Rheji and Ronald Burrell’s more experimental musical ventures, the label would go on to help launch the careers of a number of local talents including Joey Beltram and Kenny Dope, but the Burrell Brothers were by far the most prolific.

"It’s absolutely great to release this EP on the legendary Nu Groove label and I’m delighted and humbled to be sharing the vinyl EP with Jovonn, an artist who I admire and look up to." - Deetron

"Bas Noir ‘My Love Is Magic’ produced by Ronald Burrell blew me away when I first heard it and it was the first release that made me a Nu Groove fan. I was working in record shops throughout the label’s lifespan. It had it’s own distinctive sound that you could always depend for the most exciting New York house music with an avant-garde twist." - Seamus Haji

Now re-launching with this double release, Jovonn opens the A-Side with a pair of flawlessly executed cuts, from the headsy funk of ‘Random’ with its playful synths and jazz-infused horns, to the shift in energy for something wavier and almost otherworldly in ‘Get Over It’ (Soulfrican Soul Bass Dub Mix). On the flip, Deetron opens with the piano-laden, sparkling groove of ‘Dr. Melonball’ before closing out the EP with ‘V-NRG’, a blissed-out club cut with melodic keys and a powerful bassline that captures the energy of a steamy dancefloor. Transporting its listeners to the roots of New York City house, this EP makes a fitting re-introduction to the Nu Groove sound that has influenced so many of today’s great producers. Both Deetron and Jovonn’s contributions to the EP will have standalone digital releases on 9th April and 23rd April respectively. 

2021 will also see new material from the Burrell Brothers themselves, as well as some special edits of the Nu Groove catalogue from artists such as Riva Starr, Mark Broom and Gerd Janson, bringing the NYC imprint to ears, and hopefully dancefloors when restrictions allow.

Jovonn / Deetron - Random / Get Over It / Dr. Melonball / V-NRG will be released on 12” vinyl via Nu Groove on 19 February, pre-order on the D-Store and Bandcamp

Cop Nu Groove vinyl and merch on the D-Store HERE.