Collection: Products

House label run by Frank Mendez and Karen Mendez between 1988 and 1992. It was the brainchild of Frank, Karen and Judy Russell (2) and was initially founded to release stuff by Rheji & Ronald Burrell who have been managed by Frank and Karen at the time. Nu Groove, built on the foundation of the Burrell twins who'd escaped from an abortive R'n'B career with Virgin Records, was fast becoming the hippest house label. Nu Groove had started the year before with records like Bas Noir's "My Love Is Magic," and Aphrodisiac's "Your Love," and by 1989 they were on a roll. Nu Groove never had a sound - with producers as disparate as the Burrells, Bobby Konders and Frankie Bones that wasn't conceivable - and they never really had one big record, but the concept of the label went from strength to strength. Among their producers was Kenny "Dope" Gonzalez, yet to hook up with "Little" Louie Vega, who was moving into house with his Freestyle Orchestra project. Nu Groove's first competitor was to come in the form of Strictly Rhythm, who opened up in 1989. Judy Russell and Linda Perrone from Downtown 161 reissued a number of Nu Groove releases between 1994 and 2001 on their Tu Chicks label. UK label Defected acquired the label in 2017 and started to release new music on the imprint in 2021.

Eternal Love

Various

A sensational collection of classic Brazilian disco and boogie tracks, curated by the legendary disco connoisseurs, Horse Meat Disco. Featuring tracks from Jorge Ben, Gretchen, Marcos Valle and Robson Jorge & Lincoln Olivetti. Comes with an OBI Strip and gatefold sleeve. 13 years in the making, Mr Bongo proudly presents a new compilation of beloved Brazilian disco and boogie finds from the legendary London disco connoisseurs, Horse Meat Disco. A labour of love, it showcases a tantalising cross-section of disco, funk, boogie, samba and MPB, from past to present. Unearthing tracks from the seemingly endless gold mine of Brazilian gems, the compilation features legends such as Jorge Ben, Gretchen, Marcos Valle and Robson Jorge & Lincoln Olivetti, alongside unsung heroes including Zé Carlos and Carlos Bivar. Over 20 years ago, the Horse Meat Disco crew (James Hillard, Severino Panzetta, Jim Stanton and Luke Howard) began their weekly residency at Eagle London back in 2003. That same year, Luke made his first visit to Brazil, beginning a musical love affair that is still going strong. “I had always wanted to go to Brazil since I was a kid, and when I finally had the opportunity to go with Princess Julia, I was just blown away. I’ve visited Rio every year since 2003, and in that time, I’ve learned Portuguese and tried to discover as much as I can about Brazilian music and popular culture. I learned to dance samba with the Paraiso School of Samba in London and paraded three times at Rio Carnival. Brazilian music was a brand-new world for me to explore and get excited about—a whole universe of genius musicians, singers, and styles.” 9 years later, Mr Bongo invited Luke down to their Brighton HQ for a listening session of some of his favourite Brazilian boogie and disco 7"" finds. A compilation was green-lit, but multiple licensing delays and the release of other HMD compilations meant that it lay dormant for years. Fast forward to 2024, and with the help of esteemed, Rio-based record collector Tee Cardaci, along with suggestions from HMD’s James Hillard, the dream of an HMD Brazilian compilation finally materialised. It’s a carefully curated collection that includes the electronic-boogie/italo-disco-esque 1984 groover 'Venha (Remix)' by the singer Źe Carlos, two cuts by Luiza Maura taken from her sought-after Deixa Girar 7"", and Gretchen's sultry 'Ela Tem Raça, Charme, Talento E Gostosura' written by Jorge Ben. At its core, this compilation captures the excitement and sense of discovery that won over Horse Meat Disco’s heart more than 20 years ago. A vibrant mix of feel-good flavours, it homes in on a sun-soaked strand of disco and boogie that has been enriched with the spirit of a nation where music serves as a central pillar of life.

Mpharanyana & The Peddler

Bustin' Loose

Various

Those with long memories might remember Sex Tags UFO chief DJ Fett Burger's 2012 double A-side collaboration with the mysterious DJ Grillo Weiner, 'Disco Tre'/'Disco Fire' - a deliciously percussive and wayward workout built around choice disco loops and heavy, wayward percussion. 12 years on, the Norwegian pair are back for round two. Fett Burger goes solo on A-side 'Disco Fem', a typically stretched-out fusion of drum machine kicks, densely layered percussion and killer samples from a vintage disco record. It's a genuinely extra, extra-large affair and very, very good. Turn to the flip for 'Disco Sex', a slamming, techno-tempo collaboration that pairs thumping beats and low-slung dub disco bass with mind-mangling synth loops and ambient chords. Like the A-side, it's simply colossal - albeit in a typically eccentric, off-kilter way.

Orlando Julius