Strictly Rhythm Records is a pioneering New York house music label founded in 1989 by Mark Finkelstein and Gladys Pizarro. Through the 1990s it released some of the most important records in dance music, including Aly-Us’s Follow Me, Reel 2 Real’s I Like to Move It, Ultra Naté’s Free and Wamdue Project’s King of My Castle, and helped launch the careers of Roger Sanchez, Todd Terry, Masters at Work and Armand Van Helden.
Strictly Rhythm Records at a glance
- Founded: 1989, New York City
- Founders: Mark Finkelstein and Gladys Pizarro, both former A&Rs at Spring Records
- Genre: house music, from underground club tracks to international chart hits
- Key artists: Roger Sanchez, Todd Terry, Masters at Work, Kenny Dope, Josh Wink, Armand Van Helden, Ultra Naté and Reel 2 Real
- Biggest hits: I Like to Move It, Free, King of My Castle and Follow Me
- Status: folded in 2002, relaunched in 2007; catalogue now owned by BMG
The birth of Strictly Rhythm: New York, 1989
Mark Finkelstein and Gladys Pizarro met while working in A&R at Spring Records. In 1989 they launched Strictly Rhythm in New York City with a clear mission: release high-quality dance music rooted in the underground club scene, and give a platform to up-and-coming producers and DJs.
Gladys Pizarro’s ear for talent was central to the label’s success. She signed and developed many of the producers who would go on to define 1990s house music.
Early Strictly Rhythm records
The label’s early releases focused on the emerging New York house sound. Logic’s The Warning and Underground Solution’s Luv Dancin’ became staples in clubs around the world, and Strictly Rhythm quickly gained a reputation for innovative, cutting-edge dance music.
In 1992 the label released Aly-Us’s Follow Me, an instant classic that is still considered a house music anthem today.
The 1990s: the golden era of Strictly Rhythm Records
Through the 1990s, Strictly Rhythm became one of the most influential labels in house music. Roger Sanchez, Todd Terry, Masters at Work, Kenny Dope, Josh Wink and Armand Van Helden all became regular contributors to the catalogue, often under multiple aliases.
The label also crossed over to the pop charts. Reel 2 Real’s I Like to Move It (1994) was the first of many worldwide hits. Later in the decade, Ultra Naté’s Free and Wamdue Project’s King of My Castle became international sensations.
5 essential Strictly Rhythm tracks
- Aly-Us, Follow Me (1992): a spiritual, vocal house anthem.
- Underground Solution, Luv Dancin’: a raw early New York club classic.
- Reel 2 Real, I Like to Move It (1994): the label’s first worldwide hit.
- Ultra Naté, Free: a soulful, uplifting crossover hit.
- Wamdue Project, King of My Castle: a deep, melodic international number one.
Decline, closure and relaunch
By the end of the 1990s, the label’s influence was fading as the music industry changed, and Strictly Rhythm folded in 2002.
Its legacy lived on. In 2007, after a five-year break, the label was relaunched through a venture with Warner Music, making its classic recordings available as digital downloads. It also signed new artists including Dennis Ferrer, Quentin Harris, Osunlade, Chocolate Puma, Dirty South and Bob Sinclar, and opened a London office in 2010.
Who owns Strictly Rhythm today?
In 2013 BMG Rights Management agreed to acquire Strictly Rhythm’s historic recordings catalogue and publishing rights, and it bought the publishing catalogue outright in 2015. BMG now holds the Strictly Rhythm trademark and the remaining master and publishing rights. You can read more on the Strictly Rhythm Wikipedia page.
Why Strictly Rhythm Records matters
Strictly Rhythm showed that underground house could reach the mainstream without losing its club credibility. Alongside fellow New York independents like Nervous Records, it shaped the sound of 1990s house and gave a platform to producers who became global names. Its records are still played by DJs today and remain easy to find on download stores such as Traxsource.
Frequently asked questions about Strictly Rhythm Records
Who founded Strictly Rhythm Records?
Strictly Rhythm Records was founded in New York City in 1989 by Mark Finkelstein and Gladys Pizarro, who had both worked in A&R at Spring Records.
What are Strictly Rhythm’s biggest hits?
Strictly Rhythm’s biggest hits include Reel 2 Real’s I Like to Move It, Ultra Naté’s Free, Wamdue Project’s King of My Castle and Aly-Us’s Follow Me.
Which artists released on Strictly Rhythm?
Artists on Strictly Rhythm include Roger Sanchez, Todd Terry, Masters at Work, Kenny Dope, Josh Wink, Armand Van Helden, Ultra Naté, Reel 2 Real, Dennis Ferrer and Bob Sinclar.
Is Strictly Rhythm still going?
Strictly Rhythm folded in 2002 and was relaunched in 2007. Its catalogue, trademark and publishing rights are now owned by BMG.
Who owns Strictly Rhythm Records?
BMG Rights Management owns Strictly Rhythm Records’ catalogue, trademark and publishing rights, after acquisitions between 2013 and 2019.
Keep listening
Steve Bell plays soulful, deep and vocal house across the UK, Ibiza and beyond, including New York house classics. Catch his monthly DancersHip show and live sets, or see the media pack to book Steve for your event.
