Essential vinyl alert with Victor Simonelli releasing the first volume of the Behind The Groove collectors edition series, a double vinyl collection featuring classic and rare cuts that reflect the early energy and buzz of the New York House scene. The collection includes seminal house tracks such as Cloud 9’s ‘Do You Want Me’, Solution’s ‘Feel So Right’, Instant Exposure’s ‘Wanna Be With You’ and rare mixes of Raiana Page and EZ-AL. This release firmly establishes Victor Simonelli’s esteemed role in 90s House Music while introducing new fans to his inimitable sound. The second volume of the series is scheduled to follow shortly after.
Victor Simonelli is a revered New York house heavyweight and prolific producer, known for his unique sound of uplifting and spiritual music that has kept him at the forefront of House Music. Growing up in Brooklyn, NYC, in a music-loving family, and took music lessons in piano, drums, guitar and bass, before discovering the art of mixing. After graduating from NYC’s Centre For Media Arts, Simonelli got an internship at Arthur Baker’s Shakedown Studios, where he worked for artists David Bowie, Quincy Jones, Debbie Harry, Sinead O’Connor and Talking Heads. Simonelli went on to release hugely influential releases on seminal NYC labels 4th Floor and Nu Groove, and his music was championed by the celebrated House Music DJs Larry Levan and Tony Humphries.
In the early 90s, Simonelli worked on high-profile projects, including James Brown’s album “Love Overdue,” BeBe and CeCe Winans’ single featuring Mavis Staples “I’ll Take You There,” and Quincy Jones’ “I’ll Be Good To You” featuring Chaka Khan and Ray Charles. Simonelli worked with Danny Tenaglia on his classic “The Harmonica Track,” recorded for a dizzying array of labels, and produced, wrote and remixed for artists such as Nile Rodgers (Chic), Afrika Baambata, Hall & Oates, Frankie Knuckles, Kerri Chandler, Madonna and Michael Jackson. He also set up Suburban Records with Tommy Musto and Bassline Records with two other partners, releasing notable tracks such as “Do You Feel Me,” Connie Harvey’s gospel-inspired “Thank You Lord,” Urban Blues Project’s “Deliver Me,” Colonel Abrams’ “Not Gonna Let,” and Mone’s “Better Way.”
Simonelli has worked with virtually every NYC producer and has nurtured a new generation of talents, including Angel Moraes, Jazz ‘N’ Groove, Urban Blues Project, Harlem Hustlers, Jay Jay and Julius Papp. In the late 90s, Simonelli launched his new Westside Productions, notable for the “Latin Impressions 1 & 2” releases, opened up a studio in Italy, and now divides his time between New York and Italy. His unique sound has kept him at the forefront of House Music and is credited as one of its leading exponents with his string of classic releases and remixes.
BTG presents “Victor Simonelli: The Early Years Vol 1” a collectors edition double Vinyl release, and released on May 12th 2023: Record Store Day. ‘Vol 2” follows on May 26th 2023. These releases are the most comprehensive collection of rare Victor Simonelli cuts that firmly establish his esteemed role in 90s House Music and introduce new fans to his carefree sound. With Victor Simonelli Live in the UK on Sunday April 30th, please go to www.behindthegroove.co.uk for all the latest news and features.
