Nomi Ruiz & Eli Escobar - Love Louder [Razor-N-Tape]

Format: LP in printed sleeve.

DJ Support: Eli Escobar, Idjut Boys, Sally Rogers, Paul Stewart, Greg Wilson, Bill Brewster, Francois K, Luke Solomon, Mr Redley, Moxie, Horse Meat Disco, Crazy P, Ross Allen, Max P, Danny Krivit & Many More.

The collaboration between influential DJ/producer Eli Escobar and acclaimed vocalist/songwriter Nomi Ruiz has been a long time coming. Their first collaboration, the electrifying track Desire in 2011, set the stage for a series of projects, including their most recent joint effort Dance 4 Love ’99. Now, they are poised to release their debut LP, Love Louder.

Love Louder captures Eli and Nomi's experiences of love and loss, reflecting their enduring connection to New York City and its vibrant, yet increasingly fading, nightlife. The album, which includes dancefloor gems such as Heathens and Full Fantasy, also takes an emotional turn, focusing on themes of loss and presence in a rapidly changing world. The title track begins with lyrics that evoke the late Donny Hathaway, reflecting a deeper introspection from the duo. They share their pain of loss, particularly that of their mutual friend James Dewitt (DJ BluJemz), whose absence deeply affected their creative process.

Recently, Escobar opened a club in Brooklyn called Gabriela, named after a friend who passed away during the pandemic, underscoring his commitment to preserving New York's cultural landscape. Love Louder functions as a love letter to their hometown, intertwining celebration and grief. In the poignant track Go Be Gone, Ruiz expresses the difficulty of accepting change and saying goodbye. While honoring the past, they also seek a brighter future through their music.