Harry "Choo Choo" Romero

Harry "Choo Choo" Romero joined Erick Morillo and Jose Nunez in elevating Subliminal Records to a leading position among New York house imprints. Across numerous releases he explored Latin-tinged rhythms, deep jazzy grooves, and heavily filtered disco, most of which attracted strong club support. His DJ sets nevertheless generated even greater renown. Few house selectors in New York matched his standing, a reputation that also flourished in London once Subliminal developed a devoted following there.

In 1998 Romero scored his breakthrough single with “Just Can’t Get Enough,” issued first on Subliminal in the U.S. and subsequently licensed to AM:PM in the U.K. That international success carried his profile well beyond the otherwise self-contained New York house scene. By the close of the decade he was performing worldwide, appearing at venues ranging from California to various European cities. The widespread praise for his mixing approach led directly to his inaugural major compilation, the double-disc Subliminal Sessions, Vol. 2. Whereas Morillo’s opening volume had adhered closely to the label’s own catalog in straightforward fashion, Romero’s installment broadened the scope and embraced greater risk. If Morillo represented Subliminal’s commercial dimension, Romero embodied its more experimental and audacious side.

After Subliminal Sessions, Vol. 2 he assembled the series’ seventh installment, subtitled Dirty House Music, and later delivered a 2007 edition of Ministry of Sound’s Sessions series. He maintained a steady release schedule on Subliminal, his own Bambossa Records imprint, and additional outlets including Ovum, Circus Recordings, and Strictly Rhythm.