One day, when cultural historians study the impact of popular music in the last quarter-century, dance music will doubtlessly be a major point of interest. And when they look for the innovators, the explorers, the Christopher Columbuses and Ferdinand Magellans of the field… they will likely cite Louie Vega.

As one half of the Masters at Work production team – and one member of the star-studded roster of the formerly defunct, recently resurrected Strictly Rhythm record label - Louie Vega has become a patron saint of the DJ religion. With the release of Strictly MAW, Louie returns to his musical roots with a compilation that pays tribute to the return of the Strictly Rhythm label after its five-year hiatus.

The label’s return is eagerly awaited by dance fans, and long overdue. Indeed, if one needs any evidence of the impact the label had on the club music scene, we need only look at the way the genre has floundered in its absence: overseas, the market for dance music continues to explode… but stateside, clubs are closing, electronic music struggles for radio play, and the genre as a whole fights a vain battle for industry acceptance and artistic legitimacy. No wonder that fans regularly bemoan the fate of their favorite music style.

For comparison, flashback: The 1990s.

Just a decade ago, it seemed that dance music – house, in particular – was a major part of the pop music landscape. Homegrown artists were able to dabble unabated in the dance scene, and European imports found a receptive audience. The explosion of dance stemmed in large part from the Strictly Rhythm label. Founded in 1989 by Mark Finkelstein, Strictly was home to some of the top-tier artists in the dance scene, and was responsible for churning out some of the biggest club anthems of the decade. By any estimation, Strictly Rhythm was considered one of the top forces in bringing house music to a mainstream audience, cultivating major talent and defining the 90s party scene in the process. Louie Vega (and his Masters at Work partner, Kenny “Dope” Gonzalez) were  among the early hitmakers, and Louie’s bio, in particular, illustrates the tenacity and musicianship of early dance artists: raised by a musical family in The Bronx (his father and uncle are famed latin-jazz artists, in their own right) Vega was spinning records by age 13. By the time he met his Masters at Work partner, he was a fixture of the New York City house scene, pal to club juggernaut Todd Terry, and poised to redefine dance music.

Together, Masters at Work did just that, unleashed some of the heaviest hitting club anthems of the 90s, like The Bucketheads “The Bomb,” and the litany of tracks produced under their other moniker: Nuyorican Soul.

After entering a joint venture with Warner Music Group, the Strictly Rhythm label folded in 2002. But original mastermind Finkelstein has since partnered with Defected Records, regained control of the Strictly Rhythm catalogue (its trademark, master tapes, and publishing rights), and relaunched the label in 2007.

The hope is that lightning will strike twice, and Strictly Rhythm will again become a powerhouse player in the dance industry, reinvigorating the genre in mainstream music.

In his own words, Louie Vega – one of the label’s biggest stars - talks about his music, his history with Strictly Rhythm, and the future of the industry:

Did the music that they played when you were growing up influence your style now?

As you know I have Latin heritage, Salsa music is a big part of my growing up. I had a very famous uncle singer named Hector, and I also listened to Elton John, Steely Dan, Stevie Wonder. I got musical influences from my sisters going to clubs and being club queens in the late 70’s and 80’s. They brought a lot of records from Zanibar and the Loft, Paradise Garage and The Gallery.

Did you go to any of those clubs?

I got to go to the Garage when I was 15 years old. I remember what Larry Levan was playing when I first went in there… it was amazing. I was in awe of the sound system,… Larry Levan, the way he played, he mixed a lot of effects and accapellas. He really took you on a trip.

I guess you could say that he was a role model or you.

Yes he was a role model for me as a DJ a producer and remixer. He remixed and produced tons of great records: the Beach Boys, Grace Jones, Gwen Guthrie, and even Mick Jagger.

Diva Divo • copyright 2007 • kurtmalecdesigns.com