By Tony Price

During an interview on the Questlove Supreme Podcast, Jimmy Jam called Nick Martinelli “the biggest biter ever”. While there is no denying the clear influence of Jam and Lewis on Martinelli’s sound in the mid 80’s, his spacious, gleaming production style was groundbreaking, and influential in its own right. His production and remix work between ’84-’88 for groups like Loose Ends, B.B. & Q. Band, 52nd Street, Change, and Five Star can be read as a masterclass in cultivating moodiness and sophistication on the dance floor. This is deeply sensual, pristine music. laser-guided, precise and crystalline, he made judicious use of expensive sounding reverbs to emphasize the empty space that hangs between the ricocheting clatter of 808 hits, glacial pads and sparkling bell tones.