Few labels in the history of house music have had the staying power of US giant Strictly Rhythm. There is good reason for this – run your finger down the track listing of their freshly announced 30th Anniversary compilation and try to spot a weak link. [Spoiler alert: you cannot.]
Some of the biggest hitters from the label’s catalogue have been collated for an expansive digital and physical release. You have chart bothering entries from Reel 2 Real ‘I Like To Move It‘ and Wamdue Project ‘King Of My Castle‘, and evergreen anthems such as Hardrive ‘Deep Inside‘, Josh Wink ‘Higher State Of Consciousness‘, Logic ‘The Warning‘ and Morel ‘Let’s Groove‘, plus eternal deep cuts from Lou2 ‘Freaky‘, Black Magic ‘Freedom (Make It Funky)‘ and Sole Fusion ‘Bass Tone‘.
The artists involved are essentially the Hollywood Walk Of Fame for house music, with Masters At Work, DJ Pierre, Danny Tenaglia, David Morales, Erick Morillo and Armand Van Helden representing.
In addition to the all time classics, previously unreleased in digital format will be made available for the first time, released in two crops on 13th December 2019 and 10th January 2020. This features some more under the radar cuts from Logic, 95 North and Roy Davis, plus some early moments from Todd Terry and Kenny Dope.
While the digital collection is a must add to any virtual collection, the expansive vinyl release is nigh on essential, spanning three triple pack releases. There is a strong argument here for breaking any New Year spending resolutions when these hit in January.
The Definitive 30 will be released over the course of December 2019 and January 2020 via Strictly Rhythm.
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TRACKLIST
Strictly Rhythm ‘The Definitive 30’ (Out as a digital download, 13 December)
1. Sir James – Special (Club Mix)
2. Logic – The Warning (Inner Mix)
3. Underground Solution – Luv Dancin’ (In Deep Mix)
4. After Hours – Waterfalls (3am Mix)
5. The Untouchables – Lil Louie’s Anthem
6. Photon Inc – Generate Power (Wild Pitch Mix)
7. CLS – Can You Feel It (In House Dub)
8. Phuture – Rise From Your Grave (Wild Pitch Mix)
9. Aly-Us – Follow Me (Club Mix)
10. Code 718 – Equinox (Heavenly Club Mix)
11. K.C.Y.C. – Stompin Grounds (Stompin Ground Mix)
12. South Street Player – (Who?) Keeps Changing Your Mind (Club Mix)
13. Hardrive – Deep Inside
14. Reel 2 Real – I Like To Move It (Erick ‘More’ Club Mix)
15. The Believers – Who Dares To Believe In Me? (Original Mix)
16. George Morel – Let’s Groove
17. Barbara Tucker – Beautiful People (Underground Network Mix)
18. River Ocean – Love & Happiness (12″ Club Mix)
19. Loop 7 – The Theme (The Legend)
20. The Boss – Congo (Da Max Mix)
21. Armand Van Helden – Witch Doktor
22. Josh Wink – Higher State Of Consciousness (Tweekin’ Acid Funk)
23. Lou2 – Freaky (The Bar Heads Mix)
24. Planet Soul – Set U Free (Fever Mix)
25. Lil’ Mo’ Yin Yang – Reach (“Little” “More” Mix)
26. Black Magic – Freedom (On and On Strong Vocal Mix)
27. Powerhouse feat Duane Harden – What You Need (Full Intention Power Mix)
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28. Wamdue Project – King Of My Castle (Roy Malone Kings Mix)
29. Osunlade – Momma’s Groove (Jimpster’s Hip Replacement Mix)
30. Dennis Ferrer – Sinfonia Della Notte
Strictly Rhythm 30th Anniversary Vinyl 3-Part
Part 1 – 2 x 12” (Out in January)
A1: Code 718 – Equinox (Heavenly Club Mix)
A2: CLS – Can You Feel It (In House Dub)
B1: George Morel – Let’s Groove
B2: KCYC – I’m Not Dreaming (Mystipsychotix Mix)
C1: Hardrive – Deep Inside
C2: Groove Patrol – Need Your Love (Original Mix)
D1: Lou2 – Freaky (The “Bar Heads” Mix)
D2: Josh Wink – Higher State Of Consciousness (Tweekin Acid Funk)
Part 2 – 2 x 12”
A1: Barbara Tucker – Beautiful People (Underground Network Mix)
A2: Essence – Moments In House (Full Effect Mix DJ T Edit)
B1: Mole People – Break Night
C1: DJ Sneak – Keep On Groovin’ (Fat Bottom Mix)
C2: Wamdue Project – King Of My Castle (Original Mix)
D1: South Street Player – (Who?) Keeps Changing Your Mind (The Night Mix)
D2: Sole Fusion – Bass Tone (Underground Network Mix)
Part 3 – 2 x 12”
A1: Logic – The Difference (Vocal Mix)
A2: The Underground Solution – Luv Dancin’ (In Deep Mix)
B1: Armand Van Helden – Witch Doktor (Dark Ages Mix)
B2: Photon Inc – Generate Power (Wild Pitch Mix)
C1: Aly-Us – Follow Me (Club Mix)
C2: After Hours – Feel It (The Salso Mix)
D1: Phuture – Rise From Your Grave (Wild Pitch Mix)
D2: Joint Venture – Master Blaster (Turn It Up) (Tha Wild Pitch Mix)
Strictly Rhythm Previously Unreleased Digitally Tracks
Logic (Wayne Gardiner) – The Difference
Roy Davis presents The Believers – Essence Of Life
Ira Levi – Live Your Life
David Alvarado presents Bombagrooves – Motion/Tantra
Groove Patrol (95 North) – Need Your Love/Dancin To The Music
The Untouchables EP (Kenny Dope) – Take A Chance
Static (Todd Terry) – Touch Me Baby
Rare Arts – Boriqua Posse
Lovechild – Sweet Ambience
The Backroom feat Cheri Williams – Now You Got It