Strictly Rhythm Shuts Its Doors

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John,

Congratulations on signing Reina. She will do very well for Robbins as she has a loyal following, an amazing voice, and she's a gifted writer. Any word on Crystal Waters, though? She was also signed to Strictly and I'm wondering what has happened to all the material she had recorded for her album. There's a new single circulating called "Enough" I believe, so I'm wondering how that leaked out.

Ivan
 
Ivan,

Was Crystal still on Strictly? I thought I heard that her deal was up awhile ago. If I talk to Vito Bruno soon I'll ask him about it.

jp
 
Im just sitting here.... i heard and industry people around me knew this would happen months ago.
Didnt want to believe it, but it happened.

Strictly rhythm (strictly, grooovalicious, g2) in the decade and world of 90's house music was to nyc house , what Fever and cutting records was to freestyle music. only the best walked through those doors.

this is a big blow and shock to our entire dance community.
some say it was assainated by major corporations and covered up by many excuses. either way...it happened. some are struck by the loss of the importance of this label, while other hi -five each other.

i sit here and i am now remembering records like harddrive's "deep inside", k.c.y.c. "stompin ground", barbera tucker's "Beautiful people", mad stuntmans "i like to move it',river ocean feat. indias "love and hapiness'...people like little loue vega, kenny dope, george morell.

I remember well, once that a ceartain freestyle artist that met me while i was at another website and small indi company........i wasnt sh8t. just some kid trying to get into the industry. and he used to callme all the time and give me advice. and that advice came well, at a time when i walked away from everything.

he one day called and gave me the news that he signed to strictly rhythm and universal in europe. i couldnt believe it. after i hung up the phone with him i started basically getting teary eyed cuz i know he deserved every single thing that was to come for him. and he told me one day i will get back on my feet and be sourounded by the best.
in 2 months time i saw sam's pictures all over dma, dj times, and nmany other dance magazines.
he to me was like a godfather figure in my first chapter getting into the music industry and into life. (now i am back on my feet and surounded by big boys and legends).

i remeber meeting another guy, really cool as hell. very sweet. he was into managing and club promotions, what i was getting into.
He also woked for jellybean once and had a huge influence on alot of people. so i do wana take some time to give recognition to the late mario alayon. when i hear the name strictly rhythm.. i remember not only the music, but all the people who walked through its doors.

although many would say that the label didnt really have much effect on freestyle.

it was the strictly label that did suport the huge latin house movment. when the freestyle records started to evolve into latin hiphop house records. the sound that bad boi orchestra,wepa man, rare arts and 2 in a room started to blow up.... labels like strictly rhythm continued to evolve that sound and push it as far as it could go at the same time freestyle labels like cutting records did the same, before the meainstream took hold.

It was also the label that put the new freestyle on the map and in the face of a nation. when they picked up george acosta and nadine renee as planet soul and released "set you free".
the most basic, planet rock driven record, coming out of a house label. the producers and vocalist, latins from miami.
with trance /house remixes and the mars mix, which was basically a suped up coro beats of "where are you tonight".
It was the record label that put our new sound on the map and reflected what miami had been doing for a while before any other breaks regions began.Although at the time was seen as something new and it coused an outrage and contreversy from the freestyle community, It was called "latin freestyle" by Details magazine that year.

so in a way, it did kinda help freestyle and crossed paths with freestyle very much. and may i add that there were also many break sides to other records on that labels roster.


It is sad. but like in our history. at the end of something, there is always a new beigining for something else.
House music will always remain. we still have nervouse and other labels that will continue to evolve that sound.

but even the progressive house sound is having too much backlash to early 80's dance beats and influences (read: early 80's freestyle electro and dance/hi nrg influences) and begining to align itself with breaks.
(especailly those influenced by electro breaks of the early 80s.)

music is changing again. people and labels are changing again.
others will close , while others open and thrive.
its all part of our ten year circle.

although many use the excuse that dance is not selling in the u.s........well, maybe its the masses telling the industry that they want a new sound. they want something to change. and they are tired of hearing all the remakes on the radio. (ex: mad house "like a prayer".
but i shouldnt even compare strictly rhythm's quality, with whats on the radio now. whats on the radio now is no where near and will never be at that level that strictly carved out.

in a way its sad, in a way you have to look at it in a positive way...it took the death of a icon label..that will now slap the dance industry and raise the standards in dance music.
above all things.....More artist cultivation/artist development.
it was the only label/empire that had the "real" stars of underground dance music of the 90's.

for my house brothers and cousins:
i would like to leave you with a song.
"Move your body" by marshall jefferson.

(gota have house music all nite long. with that house music you cant go wrong. lost in house music , is where i wana be.
let house music SET ME FREE. YOU GATA SET ME FREE!!!'
Move your body, rock your body".



house music saved me, when freestyle turned its back.
and when a new community of labels and fans started to shut us out of a scene that we once belonged to.
despite that, i never turned my back on freestyle.

Now we come back and will soon one day take back control.


JONPITO
D'luna the china doll
next step/jellybean recordings/sony discos
 
Thanks Jon! Truth is, I really believe in you. I think your one of the best writers in this business and I will always support you, no matter what! I'm really proud of your achievements and have no doubt you will reach a point in your career that will fulfill you beyond your wildest dreams.

Keep up the great work and know that I will always be there for you....

Hey John, I'm really happy you signed Reina. She is truly one of the best vocalist out there. We have supported each other for many years, even contemplated working on a duet together. In fact, a few years back, Jermaine Jackson was actually considering her and I for this duet for his label, unfortunately, we were currently signed and were unable to. I wish you and Reina nothing but the best and send her all my love....

Peace
S
 
I just read in Billboard that Mark Finkelstein (Strictly Rhythm's owner) & Bari G (Strictly's GM) have formed a new label called Blue Chip Records. Also on board is former Strictly Publicity head, Jimmy Smith as Operations Manager. The label will be distributed by Caroline Records.

John Parker
Robbins Entertainment
 
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