Originally started in 1988 by Frank and Karen Mendez as an outlet for some of Rheji and Ronald Burrell’s more experimental musical adventures, Nu Groove was very much a reflection of New York’s house sound. 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. Having bailed from their fledgling careers as commercial R&B producers, the Burrell brothers found a home with Nu Groove Records. Almost 30 years later, Luke Solomon has re-assembled the catalogue and the spirit of this legendary New York label lives on.

‘4 To The Floor presents Nu Groove’ showcases the early releases from the label, opening a time capsule to the underground sound of downtown New York between 1988-91. Luke Solomon’s selections range between club mixes, mid-tempo pumpers and the rhythmic, synth-heavy sound that characterised the early 90s. Remastered and sounding better than ever, the compilation still retains its glorious original analogue quality.

Starting the Nu Groove history at the beginning, the label’s very first release, Tech Trax Inc.’s ‘Feel The Luv’ takes pride of place on the compilation. Further highlights include two tracks from the much-loved New Jersey vocal group Bäs Noir, ‘My Love Is Magic’ and ‘I’m Glad You Came To Me’, both examples of state-of-the-art soulful dance music. There are also two inclusions from DTR in tribute to Ralph ‘DTR’ Soler and his recent passing; ‘Journey Into A Dream (Sex In Paradise)’ and ‘How Many Times’, both cult releases from the Nu Groove catalogue. Digging for those lightbulb moments of musical discovery, Luke Solomon has come up with gold.


4 To The Floor presents Nu Groove

1. Equation ‘The Answer’ (Burrell’s X² Mix)
Written, Produced, Orchestrated & Mixed by Rhano Burrell
Recorded at Sampson Studios, East Brunswick, N.J.
Executive Producer: Mieka & Tyson for Mystars Ltd
Published by Rhano Burrell Music (ASCAP)
P&C 1989 Nu Groove Records/Burrell Brothers

2. Tech Trax Inc. ‘Feel The Luv’ (Sex Mix)
Written & Produced & Mixed by Rheji Burrell
Recorded at NCP Studios
Engineered by Tommy Musto
Mastered by Chris Gehringer
Executive Producer: Mystars Ltd
Published by Burrell Music Publishing (ASCAP)
P&C 1988 Nu Groove Records/Burrell Brothers

3. Bäs Noir ‘My Love Is Magic’ (Big Bäs Drum Remix)
Written & Produced by Rhano Burrell
Vocals by Bäs Noir (Mary Ridley & Morie Bivins)
Mixed by Rhano Burrell & Tommy Musto
Mix Engineered by Mario Salvati
Executive Producer: Mystarz Ltd
Remix & Additional Production by Les Adams
Keyboards by Mark Hughes
Published by Rhano Burrell Music (ASCAP)
P&C 1989 Nu Groove Records/Burrell Brothers

4. The Sound Vandals ‘On Your Way’ (Bonus Beat)
Written by Carlos Cardenales & Howard Blanck
Produced, Programmed & Edited by Howie How & Little Carlos for Non Stop Jamming Productions
Recorded & Mixed at 3H Studios, Bensonhurst, Brooklyn, NY.
Mastered by MJS at Frankford/Wayne Mastering Labs
Published by H & L Music
P&C 1991 Nu Groove Records under exclusive license from The Sound Vandals

5. Tech Trax Inc. ‘Tech Trax Inc.’ (Xplanitory Mix)
Written, Produced & Mixed by Rheji Burrell
Mastered by Michael Sarsfield at Frankford/Wayne Mastering Labs
Published by Burrell Music Publishing (ASCAP)
P&C 1990 Nu Groove Records/Burrell Brothers

6. Metro ‘Angel Of Mercy’ (Dub)
Written, Produced & Mixed by Rheji Burrell
Recorded at NCP Studios
Mastered by Carlton Batts at Frankford Wayne Mastering Labs
Executive Producer: Mystarz Ltd
Published by Burrell Music Publishing (ASCAP)
P&C 1988 Nu Groove Records/Burrell Brothers

7. N.Y. House’n Authority ‘Fort Green House’
Written, Produced & Arranged by Rheji Burrell
Recorded & Mixed at The House Shop, East Brunswick, N.J.
Mixed by Mieka
Mastered by Chris Gehringer
Executive Producer: Mystarz Ltd
Published by Burrell Music Publishing (ASCAP)
P&C 1989 Nu Groove Records/Burrell Brothers

8. Bäs Noir ‘I’m Glad You Came To Me’ (Dub Mix)
Written, Produced & Orchestrated by Rhano Burrell
Lead Vocals by Bäs Noir aka Mary Ridley & Morie Bivens
Background Vocals by Burrell
Mixed by Rhano Burrell & Tommy Musto at D&D Studios
Mix Engineered by Mike Rogers
Edited by Rhano Burrell & Mike Delgado at Sorcerer Sound
Mastered by Carlton Batts at Frankford/Wayne Mastering Labs
Executive Producer: Mystarz Ltd
Published by Rhano Burrell Music (ASCAP)
P&C 1989 Nu Groove Records/Burrell Brothers

9. Roqui ‘You Are On My Mind’ (On My Mind 12”)
Written, Produced, Orchestrated & Mixed by Rheji Burrell
Lead Vocals by Roqui
Background Vocals by Burrell
Engineered by Mike Rogers
Mastered by Michael Sarsfield at Frankford/Wayne Mastering Labs
Published by Burrell Music Publishing (ASCAP)
P&C 1989 Nu Groove Records/Burrell Brothers

10. N.Y. House’n Authority ‘APT. 1B’
Written, Produced & Mixed by Rheji Burrell
Mixed at Sampson Studios
Mastered by Michael Sarsfield at Frankford/Wayne Mastering Labs
Published by Burrell Music Publishing (ASCAP)
P&C 1989 Nu Groove Records/Burrell Brothers

11. K.A.T.O. ‘Disco-Tech’ (Studio 54 Mix)
Written, Produced, Mixed & Orchestrated by Rhano Burrell
Mastered by MJS at Frankford/Wayne Mastering Labs
Published by Rhano Burrell Music (ASCAP)
P&C 1990 Nu Groove Records/Burrell Brothers

12. The Utopia Project ‘File #2’
Written, Produced & Mixed by Rheji Burrell
Published by Burrell Music Publishing (ASCAP)
P&C 1990 Nu Groove Records/Burrell Brothers

13. Aphrodisiac ‘Your Love’ (Club)
Written, Produced & Mixed by Rhano Burrell
Recorded at NCP Studios
Mastered by Carlton Batts at Frankford/Wayne Mastering Labs
Executive Producer: Mystarz Ltd
Published by Rhano Burrell Music (ASCAP)
P&C 1988 Nu Groove Records/Burrell Brothers

14. K.A.T.O. ‘The Booty Dance’ (How 2 Mix)
Written, Produced & Mixed by Rhano Burrell
Engineered by Tommy Musto
Recorded at NCP Studios
Executive Producer: Mystarz Ltd
Published by Rhano Burrell Music (ASCAP)
P&C 1988 Nu Groove Records/Burrell Brothers

15. Emjay ‘Come ‘N Get It’ (Edit)
Written, Produced & Orchestrated by Rheji Burrell
Lead Vocals by Mike Johnson aka Emjay
Background Vocals by Burrell
Recorded at Sorcerer Sound
Mixed & Edited by Rheji Burrell & Mario Salvati
Mastered by Carlton Batts at Frankford/Wayne Mastering Labs
Executive Producer: Mystars Ltd
Published by Burrell Music Publishing (ASCAP)
P&C 1989 Nu Groove Records/Burrell Brothers

16. N.Y. House’n Authority ‘Tilden House’
Written, Produced & Arranged by Rheji Burrell
Recorded & Mixed at The House Shop, East Brunswick, N.J.
Mixed by Mieka
Mastered by Chris Gehringer
Executive Producer: Mystarz Ltd
Published by Burrell Music Publishing (ASCAP)
P&C 1989 Nu Groove Records/Burrell Brothers

17. Roqui ‘Lover’ (House Mix)
Written, Produced, Arranged & Mixed by Rheji Burrell
Lead Vocals by Roqui
Background Vocals by Burrell
Additional Keyboards by Rhano Burrell & Terry Burrus
Recorded & Mixed at Sorcerer Sound
Recording & Mix Engineered by Mario Salvati
Mastered by Chris Gehringer
Executive Producer: Mystarz Ltd
Published by Burrell Music Publishing (ASCAP)
P&C 1989 Nu Groove Records/Burrell Brothers

18. DTR featuring Marilyn Sareo ‘Journey Into A Dream’ (Sex In Paradise)
Written, Produced & Mixed by Ralph ‘DTR’ Soler
Additional Production by Nelson ‘Paradise’ Roman for Music Lovers Productions
Vocals by Marilyn Sareo
Keyboards by Peter Daou
Engineered by Peter Daou at NCP Studios
Mastered by MJS at Frankford/Wayne Mastering Labs
Published by Aquarius Music Company/Mystarz Music Publishing Inc
P&C 1989 Nu Groove Records

19. Aphrodisiac ‘Song Of The Siren’ (Mediterranean Mix)
Written, Produced & Orchestrated by Rhano Burrell
Background Vocals by Rhano Burrell
Engineered by Peter Daou
Recorded at NCP Studios
Mastered by Michael Sarsfield at Frankford/Wayne Mastering Labs
Executive Producer: S.M.T. for Mystars
Published by Rhano Burrell Music (ASCAP)
P&C 1990 Nu Groove Records/Burrell Brothers

20. Tracer ‘Love Fantasy’ (Vocal)
Written & Arranged by Luie Rivera for Mel-Loo Music
Produced & Mixed by Joey Llanos & Luie Rivera for Limitless Productions
Recorded & Mixed at MRS Sound
Mastered by MJS at Frankford/Wayne Mastering Labs
Published by Mel-Loo Music/Mystarz Music Publishing Inc
P&C 1990 Nu Groove Records

21. Equation ‘I’ll Say A Prayer 4 U’
Written, Produced & Orchestrated by Rhano Burrell
Engineered by Bobby Konders
Mastered by RCE at Frankford/Wayne Mastering Labs
Published by Rhano Burrell Music (ASCAP)
P&C 1991 Nu Groove Records/Burrell Brothers

22. Lisa Lee ‘When Can I Call You’ (Tommy Musto & Frankie Bones British Telecom Mix)
Written, Produced, Orchestrated & Mixed by Rhano Burrell
Vocals by Lisa Lee
Background Vocals by Rhano Burrell
Engineered by Mike Rogers
Edits by Mario Salvati
Recorded & Mixed at D&D Studios
Remixed by Tommy Musto & Frankie Bones
Mastered by MJS
Published by Rhano Burrell Music (ASCAP)
P&C 1990 Nu Groove Records/Burrell Brothers

23. Metro ‘Turnstyle Turbulance’
Written, Produced & Orchestrated by Rheji Burrell
Engineered by Peter Daou
Mastered by Michael Sarsfield at Frankford/Wayne Mastering Labs
Published by Burrell Music Publishing (ASCAP)
P&C 1990 Nu Groove Records/Burrell Brothers

24. Project “86” ‘Total Recall’
Written by Carlos Cardenales & Howard Blanck
Produced, Programmed & Edited by Howie How & Little Carlos for Non Stop Jamming Productions
Recorded & Mixed at 3H Studios, Bensonhurst, Brooklyn, NY
Published by H & L Music/Mystarz Music Publishing Inc
P&C 1990 Nu Groove Records under exclusive license from Project “86”

25. DTR ‘How Many Times? (Unity)’ (Acid Theme)
Composed by Ralph ‘DTR’ Soler & Peter Daou
Written by Vanessa Dale
Produced, Arranged & Mixed by Ralph ‘DTR’ Soler & Pat W. Prieto
Vocals by Vanessa Dale
Keyboards by Peter Daou
Engineered by Peter Daou at NCP Studios
Published by Mystarz Music Publishing
P&C 1990 Nu Groove Records