v.a.: nicewon va
Francisco Espregueira
After a two-year hiatus spent both in and out of the booth, the Minneapolis-based imprint Nicewon Recordings has officially resurfaced with a serious statement piece: Nicewon VA. Run by the duo Jeff Swiff & Christian James, this new compilation feels like digging through a crate and finding that lost 12" beat that still rips the system. It’s a smattering of "phreshwons" featuring a heavyweight lineup that includes Last Nubian, Joint4Nine, JR From Dallas, Donnie Moustaki, Ugly Frankie, J. Fenix, and the label bosses themselves. These eight heaters are strictly built for the heads, strutting confidently from deep, dusty chunkers to swinging late-night groovers, all while serving up that essential side of raw Midwest funk.
This release is a love letter to the "realwons" and a perfect reintroduction to the label's unique "NoCoast" house sound. Strictly focused on the bouncing, phat side of the genre, the compilation captures the unmistakable vibe that Swiff and James have cultivated in the Twin Cities—music that pushes deep and dusty but keeps the floor moving with spot-on, driven stompers. Whether you're chasing something deeper or just looking for gritty, soulful cuts, Nicewon VA hits the spot with undeniable precision. Available on Bandcamp.