Hot Gruvs, high energy and a lead singer whose dynamic vocals and soulful, passionate style has the audience dancing in the aisles make Asia and Nu Gruv the freshest R & B dance machine this side of the Big Smoke. If Asia and Nu Gruv don’t make you get up and shake everything you’ve got – it’s time to check your pulse!
A multi talented Halifax-based music ensemble that weaves old school rhythm and blues, soul and funk with contemporary urban rhymes and beats, Nu Gruv draws on influences from Aretha Franklin, Luther Vandross, Alicia Keys, Jocelyn Brown, Curtis Mayfield and many others, as the band and lead singer Asia weave an unrivaled environment of dance inducing sound.
In 2006 the band won the ANSMA (African Nova Scotian Music Association) award for Best Live Performance as well winners for the 2006 and 2005 best R&B Group. and was nominated for the CBC Galaxy Radio Rising Star, Entertainer of the Year and Artist/Group of the Year awards. In 2005, the band was selected by Music Nova Scotia as an official showcase group during Nova Scotia Music Week, the 2006 East Coast Music Awards and the 2006 JunoFest.
Asia and Nu Gruv. They’re cool, they’re hot, and they will make you dance! It’s only a matter of time before this dynamic group of musical magicians becomes a household name in Atlantic Canada and beyond.
Sample Tracks
Mustang Sally
Work to Do
That’s The Way Love Goes
Stand By Me
Some Kinda Wonderful
News & Reviews
African Nova Scotian Awards Boost For Local Musicians
“Another multiple winner was Asia & Nu Gruv, the R&B octet named as best R&B group and best live performance, the latter of which was proven by a tight version of soul classic Cheryl Lynn’s “Got to Be Real”, with singer Asia adding fresh rhymes to the ’70s staple.”
– Stephen Cooke, Chronicle Herald
“I think the crowd who was there was a bit shocked, that the evening they had purchased tickets for maybe wasn’t what they had expected. But once the big band got fired up, it was hard not to dance, even if you happened to be on crutches.”
– Ryan Palmer UPEI RADIO
“Nugruv were amazing … Asia killed the vocals! The band was really good and Asia was amazing. For those of you who have missed either of these groups in the past few weeks, get out there! You won’t be disappointed.”
– Halifamous Music Forum, Oct 2006
“WOW. NuGruv blew me away. Trust in the fact that you NEED to see these dudes and one babe do their thing. Don’t wear steel-toed boots because your toes will be tapping. Even had me calling people on the phone, saying, “you gotta hear this” then holding the phone out.”
– Halifamous Music Forum, June 2005
SAMPLE SONG LIST
“Rock Steady” (Aretha Franklin)
“Do You Love What You Feel” (Chaka Khan and Rufus)
“Midnight Hour” (Wilson Pickett)
“Neither One Of Us” (Gladys Night)
“Thats The Way Love Goes” (Janet Jackson)
“Somebody Else’s Guy” (Joslyn Brown)
“Family Affair” (Mary J. Blige)
“Clean Up Woman” (Betty Wright)
“Cleaning House” (Peggy Scott Adams)
“Back In love Again” (LTD)
“Mustang Sally” (Wilson Pickett)
“Stand By Me” (Ben E. King)
“Love Changes” (Mary J. Blige)
“Some Kind of Wonderful” (Joss Stone)
“Happy People” (R. Kelly)
“Gotta Go” (Trey Songz)
“Let Me Love You” (Mario)
“If I Ain’t Got You” (Alicia Keys)
“To Be Real” (Cheryl Lynn)
“Closer I Get To You” (Luther Vandross)
“Mesmerized” (Faith Evans)
“Work to Do” (Average White Band)
“Sex Machine” (James Brown)
“Respect” (Aretha Franklin)
“Right Kinda Lover” (Patti Labelle)
“Creep” (TLC)
“Unbreakable” (Alicia Keys)
“Ain’t No Stoppin’ Us Now”
“Don’t Cha” (Pussy Cat Dolls)
“Move Your Body” (Nina Sky)
“Signed, Sealed, Delivered” (Stevie Wonder)
“Lets Get It On” (Marvin Gaye)
“Bad Mamma Jamma” (Stevie Wonder)
“We Belong Together” (Mariah Carey)
“You’re What I Need” (Original)
“Sometimes” (Original)
“Take a Chance” (Original)
“Misty Blue” (Dorthy Moore)
“Candy Rain” (112)
“Gangsta Lovin” (Eve)
“You Don’t Know My Name” (Alicia Keys)
“Tonight is The Night” (Betty Wright)
“Step In The Name Of Love” (R. Kelly)
“Sexual Healing” (Marvin Gaye)