The Nu-Rons

Side A - All My Life

Side B - Disco Hustle

Posted in: Release Listings

Release Date: Monday 12th February 2018

The Nu-Rons, were a family group consisting of two sets of brothers and cousins, the four young men in question being brothers Daryl Howard and Raymond Gibson (Daryl’s mother registered him under his father’s surname of Howard and Raymond under her maiden name of Gibson) together with Otho Bateman and Charles Bateman. They were all born and raised in Salem, New Jersey and from the age of ten and eleven began singing with a fifth member and Gibson brother Rudolph in a group called The Gospel 5. They eventually decided to crossover to secular music and as a group known for their energetic dance routines they came up with the new performing name of ‘The Nu-Rons’ (taken from the word ‘Neuron’ which is a cell that transmits nerve impulses). However Rudolph was soon to leave the group due to physical illness. Also Daryl Howard and Charles Bateman had also been part of a working group known as The Devotions prior to becoming The Nu-Ron’s.

Following hours of practice The Nu-Rons eventually felt confident enough to put their own shows together and began to perform at local dances and parties around New Jersey and Philadelphia, often being used as a non-paid warm up act for bigger named artists. They moved between several different managers including Jimmy Bishop (Duo Dynamic Productions) until they came under the tutelage of WDAS radio DJ Georgie Woods (his wife Gilda being the owner of the Dion and Top & Bottom record Labels). It was Georgie who introduced them to Manny Campbell, who invited them to an audition at his and partner Charles Bowen’s Emandolynn studio in Chester P.A. The song The Nu-Rons chose to audition with was the self penned “I’m A Loner”, the audition went well, as during late January/early February of 1970 Manny and Charles took The Nu-Ron’s into the Sigma Sound Studio’s with Tom Bell and the TSOP musicians to record “All Of My Life” and “I’m A Loner” which was released on the Nu-Ron label in April of the same year.

During 1975 the Nu-Ron’s entered the Sound Room studio in Upper Darby P. A. to record two more Campbell and Bowen songs, “Disco Hustle” and “Can’t Do Enough Girl”. “Disco Hustle” was a new song prevalent to the shift towards the disco boom in Philly. While the b-side “Can’t Do Enough Girl” was a sweet soul ballad previously recorded during a demo session in 1971. The Nu-Ron’s “All Of My Life” faired reasonably well locally in Philly although it would be through the record later finding it’s way to England and into the hands of first Northern Soul and later Crossover DJ’s that the 45 would achieve it’s greatest notoriety. While in recent years with the shift to a more funk orientated sound, their song Disco Hustle recorded under the artist name of ‘The Nu’Rons & Co has too grown in demand. Here before you now is the Nu-Ron’s two most in demand sides back to back for your delectation. The Nu-Ron’s are still working and recording today although as a group of three, with Raymond Gibson having sadly passed away.

Left to Right: Manny Campbell (Producer), Otho Bateman (Wearing Hat) Charles Bateman, Daryl Howard & Raymond Gibson.