"Unless you're a hardened Discogs nerd, Nu Groove may not be a name you're instantly familiar with. Based in New York the imprint only existed from 1988-'92, but for a brief moment in time it was arguably the greatest house label in the world. The output was both prolific and unpredictably wide-ranging, from ravey acid breaks to honeyed US garage. Kenny Dope, Joey Beltram and Joey Negro all put in work for the label but it was two brothers, Rheji and Ronald Burrell, that drove the majority of Nu Groove's output, using their experience as R&B producers to sew a soulful thread into their often remarkably raw deep house tracks. It was, and will always be, a label for the heads, enduring plenty of love from DJs and dance floors but few notable crossover hits.

Old school house fans will probably be recoiling at the thought of a Nu Groove remix compilation: why mess with a great thing? Fortunately, the folks at Needwant have employed Nicholas for the Nu Groove remix project: an Italian producer that, despite his newcomer status, is hugely sensitive to the roots of the label.

Nicholas has been working up a competent discography of house and disco productions for labels such as Lux and On The Prowl. However, it's his live set that indicates best why Needwant have handed over such a weighty project to a relative unknown. Peppered with re-edits of hard to find '90s house and dusty obscurities, they paint Nicholas as a connoisseur of NYC boom-tiss.

It's turned out to be an inspired piece of talent spotting. Nicholas' remixes complement the source material tactfully, retaining much of the vibe that made early house music so appealing. The best thing about these remixes is that they sound old, but manage to do so without sounding dated—a balance that's all too easy to get wrong.

Take his rework of N.Y. House'n Authority "Apt1A," which fuses tiny elements of the original with Kerri Chandler-style keys and meaty bass that could have been ripped straight from a Bobby Konders track. All throughout the album it feels as if Nicholas is grabbing all the best bits from legendary New York house producers and pasting them together. On his version of Houz' Neegroz "How Do You Love a Black Woman?" Nicholas drops the tempo, adds a jacking drum pattern and turns up the volume on the keyboard to create something that manages to feel even more housey than the original. Not bad, considering "How Do You Love a Black Woman?" is a stone cold classic.

The music on Back On Track sounds so authentically rooted in '90s house music that it's tough to believe Nicholas is only in his mid twenties. It's even more tough to believe that he's managed to draw from such a well-known and over-plundered period of music and delivered something that doesn't sound clichéd. It's rare that a remix album of classic tracks ever matches up to the quality of the source material. In this case, Nicholas has gone one step further and surpassed it." 4.5 / 5 - Resident Advisor
http://www.residentadvisor.net/review-view.aspx?id=10039

Tracklist:
1. Lisa Lee – When Can I Call You (Nicholas Dirty Dub Remix)
2. Bäs Noir – I’m Glad You Came To Me (Nicholas Garage Dub Mix)
3. N.Y. House’n Authority – Apt1A (Nicholas Witness Remix)
4. Emjay – Come ‘N Get It (Nicholas Vocal Remix)
5. Tech Trax Inc. - Tech Trax Inc. (Nicholas House Keys Remix)
6. K.A.T.O – The Booty Dance (Nicholas Raw Interpretation)
7. Roqui – I’ve Just Begun To Love You (Nicholas Love Re-Edit)
8. Basil Hardhaus 2 featuring Burrell – Black Man (Nicholas Black &amp; Proud Mix)
9. Equation – Domm Domm, Yeah, mm hmm (Nicholas Basement Remix)
10. Roqui – Set Me Free (Nicholas Vocal Remix)
11. Houz’ Neegroz – How Do You Love A Black Woman (Nicholas Fierce Beats Remix)



NeedCD006 BACK ON TRACK / NICHOLAS: NU GROOVE (CD)

Erik Strauss starts as a DJ and music producer in 2009. Is mostly known for his instrumental trip-hop/downtempo composition.
He has published many singles and EPs under Level One Records, Nuit Blanche, Ubiquity Records and Deep Electronics.
His favourite artists (David Bowie, Massive Attack, Portishead, Tricky, Aphex Twin) push him to experiment and evolve each time. Nowadays, after the 2023 "FTUR" ambient/experimental release, is getting even more minimal/deep tech.

I first got into the Electronic/Dance music scene at the age of 15 as i was coming out of my Rock/Heavy Metal phase and with my older brother steering me towards this new sound, House music became my passion. 
After allot of pressure and persistence for music i can say i have come come a long way. Having played with a few of Melbourne's high named djs such as Kaz James, John Course, Adam Bartas, Miss Peta, Dean Paps, Miles Jnr, Spacey Space, Chardy, Aaron Trotman, Luke Mcd, DJ Jorj ( DEFECTED RECORDS), Lewie Day aka Tornado Wallace, Andy Murphy, Sunshine & Mark John as well as supporting and warming up for International Artists like Yolanda Be Cool & Flight Facilities.

My Style is unique and always has a way to lure people onto the dance-floor for a cheeky boogie. My sounds vary from set to set, starting from Disco and slowly slowly bring it up a notch to a bit more Soulful, Vocal, Deep and then into the Jackin and Tech side of House. I have to say though that Techno and Acid House are also another two genres i really enjoy playing as well. Being in the industry from my teen years you develop an eye and ear for what people want to hear, hence why reading the crowd is very important while you are out there. Listening to my sets i take you on a journey that is not monotonous by bringing the tempo up and down where its necessary. 

Inspired and Influenced by the Heavyweights of House such as, Frankie Knuckles, Todd Terry, Mr Fingers, Farley 'Jackmaster' Funk, Ralphie Rosario, Marshall Jefferson, DJ Pierre, Derrick May Larry Levan, Nicky Siano, Steve Hurley, Francois K, Ron Hardy, Derrick Carter, Jamie Principle, DJ Pierre, DJ Sneak, Roy Davis, Jr., Mark Farina, Paul Johnson, Lil Louis just to name a few. 

I can play all kinds of different genres, i have no limit and its not about playing one specific genre that's sort of where i come from where DJs play different styles. I have always been a HOUSE head so i spin anything from Soulful, Jackin, Deep, Tech-House, Disco, down tempo and anything really that gets me moving which i know will get others moving as well. I personally think that the younger Generation of DJs tend to have one specific style that they always stick by.

I also had a Radio show on community Dance music station KISS FM in Melbourne from 2010 till August 2014 which showcased International and Local DJs/producers.
The show was heard & Streamed across Australia, The US, Europe, Asia, South Afrika & Brazil.

Some of the guest Producers and DJs i have had the honor to showcase are the likes of one of our own International export Kaz James followed by Richard dinsdale, Crookers, Timo Garcia, Patric La funk, Mike Monday, Malente, Marc Romboy, George morel (US), Arturo Garces (US), Pete Le Freq (UK), Trevor Vichas (US) Tony Wardan (AUS), Dave Juric & Phil Weeks (FRA).


http://www.facebook.com/groups/theafterdarkshow

That Part NYD @ The Point ( Albert park lake, Melbourne ) alongside some Big International and Local DJ/Producers.

KAZ JAMES

FLIGHT FACILITIES 

YOLANDA BE COOL

John Course, Mark John, Christian luke, Matty Dee & JEZ

https://www.facebook.com/thatparty
 
Guest spot at The Loft (2006) Melbourne - Australia
Sinatra Saturdays @ Zest Lounge (2006) 
Eve Thursdays in the green room (2007)

& One off events @ GPO(2007), Wah Wah Lounge(2007),Tramp Bar (MELBOURNE - 2009-2010-2011),ROOM 680 (2008)
Element Lounge (2009) & Deluxe Bar (2009)

Nicholas 

Production & Remix: nicholas.iammatteo@gmail.com
Booking:  nicholas.iammatteo@gmail.com

@nicholaswave on all social media