8 labels that shaped the New York City house sound

Nu Groove Records

Founded by Frank and Karen Mendez in ’88 initially to release music from the Burrell twins Rheji & Ronald, Nu Groove quickly established itself as the go to in NYC as one of the most on-it labels, counting Bobby Konders, Bäs Noir and Frankie Bones among its early releases. Its reputation was further strengthened in retrospect as the label to give early platforms to Joey Beltram pre-‘Energy Flash’ and Kenny ‘Dope’ Gonzalez pre-Masters At Work, choosing to define itself by the artists it signed rather than the sound it sought. With such a varied output a list of five records can do little more than scratch the surface.

---

Bäs Noir
My Love Is Magic
(1988)

Listen / Buy

The Ronald Burrell-produced ‘My Love Is Magic’ was in the first breath of Nu Groove releases, letting the Philly vocal group Bäs Noir soar over lush keys, euphoric changes and crackling breaks.

---

Kenny Dope Presents Power House
2
(1989)

Listen / Buy

A real toss up here between Kenny’s jazz trilogy on Powerhouse 2, and Powerhouse 3’s ‘Makin’ A Living’ which bristles with its muscular breaks and Latino flair. The strings and downtempo improv win the day for us though.

---

Frankie Bones & Lennie Dee present Looney Tunes
Volume One
(1989)

Listen / Buy

Released on XL in the UK, Frankie Bones & Lennie Dee’s Looney Tunes is about as close to the seed of American rave culture as you’ll get. Rough and ready rave tackle with an acidic bent that, just one year after Bäs Noir, proved just how broad the church of Nu Groove could be.

---

Bobby Konders
House Rhythms
(1990)

Listen / Buy

Deep, jazzy, bass driven cut from Brooklyn boy Bobby Konders and one of the more sought after 12”s on this list. Big dubby bass lines, and intricate improvisations, with the odd incantation thrown in. Brilliant.

---

Lost Entity
Bring That Back (One More Time)
(1990)

Listen / Buy

The year before ‘Mentasm’ changed rave forever, Joey Beltam released ‘Bring That Back’ on Nu Groove. The blue print is all there, especially on the gut warbling, cosmically discombobulating ‘Annihilate’.

---