Page 50 - Zone Magazine Issue 007

ALBUMS
MUSIC REVIEWS
Wax Hands [UK] - House
STRICTLY
MOOD II SWING
FORMAT(S): 3CD / DIGITAL / STREAMING
RELEASE DATE: 15.01.16
LABEL: STRICTLY RHYTHM
Zone Rating - 9/10
Since Lem Springsteen and John Ciafone first hooked up nearly a quarter of a century ago, little did they know the impact they were set to have. Now all these years later, it would appear Strictly Rhythm have decided to give them the anniversary gift the deserve with an epic 3cd “Best of” collection of their original productions aswell as a serious selection of their prolific remix work.
Many would really only know them as the duo who produced Ultra Nate’s seminal anthem “You’re free”, but they had been busy well before that with underground classics such as “Critical” and “Closer” giving them the credibility they needed to get them to the next level.
Opening with “Do it your way” and instantly you can hear why the duo are renowned for their production skills and are in demand as remixers for big name artists to this day. Whether its their vocal originals, or remixing others, they have a knack of taking something and making it totally their own. With elements jazz, a whole load of funk, and a definite New York groove that makes this album an essential collection of tracks that could be played nowadays, but also as a great history lesson. But if you were lucky enough to be there at the beginning, and see them develop to the stars they are, this will be a great nostalgia trip down memory lane.
And for the producers of today who need a few bits of inspiration, dig in, you’ll find it here in bucket loads.
Strictly Mood II Swing is out 15 January 2016 (3CD / Digital / Streaming) on Strictly Rhythm. Pre- order the CD: http://po.st/sm2sds
50 ZONE-MAGAZINE.IE