Nu Groove Records, founded in 1988 by Frank and Karen Mendez as a platform for The Burrell Brothers’ explosive creativity, achieved legendary status in New York house circles before its 2021 relaunch restored its cult appeal and welcomed back genre trailblazers. The label now thrives as a gathering point for pioneers blending classic influences with contemporary club drive, maintaining its reputation for releases that resonate across generations of dancers and selectors. Stefan Braatz returns to this storied imprint with the Planet 2 Planet EP, a four-track vinyl offering that channels Berlin’s underground authority through deeply synthetic constructions primed for house, techno, and disco enthusiasts.
The title track Planet 2 Planet unites Braatz with Virgo Four, forging a collaboration that interlocks futuristic lines with enduring house momentum, creating a centerpiece that commands dancefloors from warm-up through peak. Futurism pushes forward with sleek propulsion, layering tension that builds relentlessly for DJs who craft extended journeys in hidden venues. Grand Devotion swells with devoted energy, drawing listeners into expansive grooves that echo the devotion of underground nights where every cycle deepens the connection. Notes Of Chicago pays direct homage, infusing the EP with Windy City essence that grounds its forward gaze in foundational house spirit.
Braatz commands respect in Berlin’s shadowy corners, where his productions fuel late-hour sessions that blur house and techno boundaries. This EP captures that essence, delivering tracks with the raw energy to shift room dynamics and sustain crowds through marathon sets. Nu Groove’s revival proves masterful here, pairing Braatz’s modern edge with the label’s historic weight to create tools that appeal directly to selectors immersed in disco-infused house and relentless techno circuits. Planet 2 Planet stands as essential rotation for those who chase the thrill of discovery in dimly lit spaces, where synthetic depth meets timeless rhythm to keep the underground pulse alive.
