Strictly Rhythm

Prolific New York City-based house label established in 1989 by music executive Mark Finkelstein and A&R Gladys Pizarro. Bari G. aka Bari Gossman was Vice President of promotions and later A&R executive. The label subsequently expanded into Europe where Phil Cheeseman headed its European operations and acted as A&R for various UK-based producers. A short-lived UK subsidiary Strictly Rhythm UK existed in 2001. In addition to its various sub-labels, it also manufactured and distributed a number of other independent labels for much of the 1990s. Strictly Rhythm folded in October 2002 after entering into a venture with Warner Music Group nine months earlier. After four years of legal wrangling, Mark Finkelstein regained control of the label, its trademark, and its recordings and publishing rights. The label relaunched in 2006 as a Defected subsidiary with Aaron Ross as A&R manager. In 2013, the label's catalogue was acquired by BMG Rights Management. Since January 2013, Strictly Rhythm continues to release new recordings independently.