Victor Simonelli is one of the dons of New York house. His productions both in tandem with collaborators like Tommy Musto and his solo work, still stand today as timeless productions from the vaults of New York's rich dance music history. Simonelli's career began as an intern at Arthur Baker's Shakedown Studios in the late '80s, where he learnt the production ropes alongside DJs like Junior Vasquez. He soon branched out making tracks for Nu Groove and Sub-Urban before setting up a series of labels that included Bassline, Big Big Trax and Westside. While some producers excel at remixing, Simonelli's forte was pure production and he never sounds more at home and alive than on his own tracks, with raw rhythms and often drenched in echoing Rhodes piano. (less info)