The House Division

The last few months have been getting busy in our emerging house division. As well as stocking the complete catalogue on over eighty wicked US house labels we are also launching a few new UK labels too. First up is our own in-house label Nu Urban Groovez. The label will feature house music from all over the world. The first release is by new Bournemouth house act Kuku. The track 'Rapticious' is a re-work of Blondie's classic 'Rapture'. With a pumping subliminal-esque backing track, filtered loops and vocals, the vocal and dub mixes both kick here. The second release is also by Kuku, the tracks 'Desire' and 'Easy' both come in vocals and dub mixes too.

'Desire' is a pulsating disco house groove with an old skool vibed vocal whilst 'Easy' is a funky little finger clicker that's sure to get you dancing and humming the hooky chorus. Coming soon on Nu Urban Groovez are tracks from recent Grammy winners Spanka, a fantastic Scandanavian outfit you're going to be hearing a lot more of in 2002. Anger Productions is the front for a new guy making quality tunes well beyond his age and experience, so watch this space also…

O'Bleek City kicked off with their first release in 2001. After causing a little stir the label is back this year complete with a whole new look and its production quality now firmly set. The first two offerings are both by the magical Mr Magic! Mr Magic's premier release is the 'World of Magic EP Volume 2' and follow up is 'Black & White Magic EP Volume 2'. Check out what DJ Steve Kinsey from Jazz FM 89.8, in Dublin had to say about this great debut…

"The Mr Magic 'World of Magic' (O'Bleek City) is one of the highest quality slabs of vinyl to grace my decks in a good while, all three tracks are magnificent. I especially enjoyed 'Diah-Nah', a jazz-tinged deep house groove that's gonna be well caned on JFM, kinda like Blue Six on a comedown, and I love the subtle funky guitar that comes in towards the end, great strings, nice long trumpet notes....very mellow and relaxing but a million miles away from boring. 'Moment' was also great, although a completely different groove. Squelchy and extremely varied beats, quite strange beats in fact, but wholly original sounding (especially the breaks towards the end), deep, dubby bass line, and loads of other elements going on that you can't quite put your finger on, giving the whole thing a kinda twisted feeling. The A side 'World of Magic' is pretty addictive as well, the bass sounds like a fart that's been put through an AKAI and fucked around with (I mean that as an originality compliment, believe it or not!) and again there's so much variety in the tune that you just fall into it. Excellent." So if you love your house, you're going love this new label.

K Alexi has been a stalwart of the house scene since its humble beginnings in the mid 80s. Hailing from Chicago and appearing on all the best labels, K is now kicking off his UK career. As well as parent label 312 Recordings which focuses on the funky side of house and disco, 312 Hard is just that minimal techy style house grooves that hook you, hang you out and leave you wanting more. With the first three releases in the pipeline, you'll soon be able to get your hands on some stinging new tracks from K and fellow US producers. 312 Hard's debut will be touching shortly.

Pivotal Entertainment was set up by Phil Wells in 1999. The label has featured tracks by established artists such as Peshay, Ray Keith & Fellowship as well as new producers Acrylic, Math, Champagne and The Invaderz. The label is known for releasing forward thinking tunes that can grace any set, anywhere. Music is the most important factor in all Pivotal releases, so whether it be drum & bass, house or techno you can be sure there will be a good melody. The new sister label Pivotal Groovez is dedicated to the house and techno scenes. The first release is Rebeat's 'Organic Exploits EP' that comprises four delicious, sophisticated, jazz inspired grooves. Next up is a new Kuku track entitled 'Get On', this track is blowing up as we speak, DJs such as Danny Rampling are already on this, it's coming real soon…

Soon to be launched is the website www.nu-urbangroovez.co.uk, we anticipate this holding a great interest for each and every lover of house music. We have been searching the world to bring you both the latest and back catalogue of a number of exceptional US labels including Bombay, Guidance, Lounge, Purpose Maker, Masters At Work, Naked, Om, Subliminal, Soulphuric, Yellorange and Vista Viva to name but a few.

Over eighty labels will be featured on-line and wherever possible the whole catalogue too. You'll also love the prices! Single twelve inches are 6.50, double pack 12.00 and triple packs for 15.00 (all including postage). So over the next few weeks register at the address above and we will notify you as soon as the shop is fully launched. All registrations will receive a 10% discount on their first orders. So now you know where to go when you can't get your hands on that brand new import or classic groove… see you there!