Pioneering House Music Label
Strictly Rhythm Records is a record label that was founded in 1989 by Mark Finkelstein and Gladys Pizarro in New York City. The label’s mission was to release high-quality dance music that was rooted in the underground club scene, and to provide a platform for up-and-coming producers and DJs.
In the early days, Strictly Rhythm’s releases focused on the emerging house music scene, with early hits like Logic’s “The Warning” and Underground Solution’s “Luv Dancin'” becoming staples in clubs around the world. The label quickly gained a reputation for releasing innovative and cutting-edge dance music, and became one of the most influential labels in the genre.
Throughout the 1990s, Strictly Rhythm continued to release groundbreaking dance tracks, with artists like Roger Sanchez, Todd Terry, and Armand Van Helden becoming regular contributors to the label’s catalog. One of the label’s most notable releases was “Follow Me” by Aly-Us in 1992. The track became an instant classic and is still considered a house music anthem today.
By the late 1990s, Strictly Rhythm had become a major player in the dance music industry, with hit tracks like Wamdue Project’s “King of My Castle” and Ultra Nate’s “Free” becoming international sensations. However, the label struggled to adapt to the changing music industry landscape in the 2000s, and eventually filed for bankruptcy in 2002.
Despite this setback, Strictly Rhythm’s legacy continued to live on, with many of its classic tracks and artists remaining popular with dance music fans around the world. In 2007, the label was relaunched under new ownership, and continues to release new music and reissue classic tracks to this day.
