There’s a relatively new sound beginning to penetrate clubs and dance floors throughout the globe and although it has been around since as early as 2002, the momentum is just taking hold and growing at a rapid rate.

With a swag of artists, labels and releases coming forward, the nu-disco movement is now upon us.

Nu-Disco has been some 25 years in the making, evolving from the original disco of the 1970s/early 1980s, and drawing on the imagination of the Italo and Euro disco scenes from the mid/late 1980s. It is however, less about the ‘cheese’ and ‘hi-nrg’ found in its predecessors and more about the slow burning, often psychedelic numbers which gradually and effortlessly build to pulsating,
synth-festooned climaxes.

The Nu-Disco sound further encompasses elements of funk, boogie, cosmic, balearic and electroclash genres.
In fact many of the current releases that fall under the Nu-Disco banner are re-edits of original-era classics and unearthed nuggets. (A re-edit is an altered version of a song created by repeating, reordering or removing sections of the original recording).

A fantastic CD highlighting the re-edit is Daniele Baldelli’s compilation, Cosmic Disco?! Nah... Cosmic Rock!!! on Eskimo Recordings. Baldelli (Italy’s premier disco pioneer) has taken a variety of original songs and styles from the likes of Alicia Bridges, Thompson Twins and The Romantics, and has morphed them into nu-disco classics via a series of edits. The Messalina record label is another great example featuring Nu-Disco edits of Pink Floyd, Alan Parsons and Hot RS, whereas the label Mindless Boogie focuses on edits which sidestep the obvious in favour of a more psychedelic approach.

Nu-Disco is not confined to just re-edits, as there is a growing number of producers who make dance music inspired by original-era disco, electro and other genres popular in the late 70s and early 80s.

Hans-Peter Lindstrøm and Thomas Moen Hermansen, commonly referred to as Lindstrøm and Prins Thomas, are two of the most high-profile dance artists in the Nu-Disco scene. Their 12” release from 2005, Turkish Delight, remains a Nu-Disco anthem and is a glowing original defining this new genre, as well as their 2007 CD on Eskimo Recordings, Reinterpretations.

More artists to look out for include Aeroplane, who recently transformed Grace Jones’ William’s Blood into a stunning Nu-Disco epic that typifies the genre’s build and climax ethos. Hercules and Love Affair is another outfit that has recently brought Nu-Disco to the forefront with their critically acclaimed, self-titled debut album from 2008. The album was co-produced by Tim Goldsworthy from the popular and well known production team, DFA; another major player responsible for the success of the style.

Nu-Disco is a genre that has successfully combined something old with something new. Whether you’re looking for a brand new sound, or perhaps something more familiar, no doubt you’ll find it within Nu-Disco. Given the amount of public and media interest, not to mention the growing number of artists and DJs involved, it is a genre that will be around for quite some time.

By Lanny KLanny is the co-owner of Reefer Records and dedicated turntable terrorist.
www.reeferrecords.com