Black Box - Strike it up (D. J. Lelewel mix)

The first time I've heard this song (namely this version), I was about 10 years old.

I will never forget this voice!
The voice of Martha Wash (NOT IN THE VIDEO, for which I'm sorry).

Why? I don't know. I just love it.
Along with this funky accompaniment and rhythm, this is one perfect song. I don't have yet the lyrics (female & male) and it's a problem for me to find it. The song also - I have searched it for years (like many other songs).

BLACK BOX INFO
One of the leading exponents of a wave of Italian house music that flourished on the dancefloors of the late 80s and early 90s, Black Box comprised three Italian studio musicians (Daniele Davoli, Mirko Limoni and Valerio Semplici), collectively known as Groove Groove Melody. Based in the Reggio Emilia area of northern Italy, and made frequent use of "singer" Katrin Quinol (b. Catherine Quinol, Paris, France, of Guadelope descent). Semplici was a clarinet teacher and played in the La Scala Classical Music Orchestra in Milan. Davoli was a well-known Italian club DJ (known as DJ Lelewel), largely at the Marabu Starlight Club, while Limoni was the computer and keyboard whizz kid of the trio and had previously engineered for Italian pop act Ivana Spagna. The Groove Groove Melody team were established as one of the top two production outfits in Italian dance music, churning out more than a dozen singles a year in their native country. Katrine was spotted by Ivana Spagna's guitarist at a club, and, after introductions, featured as vocalist on "Ride On Time". The single became the first of a series of Italian house records to crossover to the UK charts, staying at number 1 for six weeks in 1989. Controversy reigned when it was realized that the single had sampled the voice of singer Loleatta Holloway from the "Love Sensation" single she made with Dan Hartman in the late 70s. An agreement was eventually worked out with Salsoul Records (who owned the rights) as both companies benefited from 800,000 UK sales. The Groove Groove Melody team were also behind the production of Starlight's "Numero Uno" and Mixmaster, The's "Grand Piano", another prime example of "Italo-house", and another crossover hit. Under seven or more pseudonyms, they turned out numerous further records. However, as Black Box, their hits included "I Don't Know Anybody Else" (also based on "Love Sensation"), "Everybody Everybody" (the last of the "Ride On Time" trilogy), "Strike It Up", and "Fantasy", a revamp of the Earth, Wind & Fire hit, all of which featured an uncredited Martha Wash on vocals and broke them into the US market. They were also responsible for, among other remixes, ABC's 1991 comeback single, "Say It". Their mid-90s singles, "Not Anyone" (featuring new vocalist Charvoni), "I Got The Vibration", and "Native New Yorker", enjoyed limited chart success.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Black
• Box
• Блекбокс
• Strike
• up
• Lelewel
• mix

[UKRaver1956]

This is my favourite mix of Stike it up. I love the guitar rift, it's similar to the track "Black Skinned Blue-Eyed Boys, by The Equals from 1970. Check out the video to that, on the far left playing guitar and wearing the shades is a young Eddie Grant

[ciberiada01]

@UKRaver1956

Absolutely RIGHT!!!

Almost the same phrase, almost the same tempo and almost in the same key ("The Equals" play it 2 semitones up). DJ Lelewel must have seen very clearly the beauty and the "power" of their music. Not surprising for me, especially for a man like Eddy Grant, having unique musical ideas. A man, who only wants to live like human in his own country!!!

[UKRaver1956]

@ciberiada01 I remember a few tracks from the early 1990s with samples of 1960s or 1970s tracks. They seemed to work really well and this mix is a good example. Sixties groups such asThe Equals and The Foundations were like pioneers of the pop world, They were Multicultral/multiracial with a good combination for music and lyrics. Resulting later in some terrific dance music for their successors. Many thanks for posting this track.

[ciberiada01]

@UKRaver1956

Thanks to you too, for sharing your opinion and for reporting the original.

[jacquesmk]

Note : this version was re-edited by Joachim Garraud (for the french release)

[ciberiada01]

@jacquesmk

I think this is an important note, especially for the 90's music maniacs!

You must be a DJ saying that. Although his name is present below the "Mégaremix" version, I didn't know that he re-edited also this one.

[sockcutter]

I remember this remix like it was yesterday. Of course it wasn't yesterday and my deejaying days (or should that be nights?)are far behind me but thanks for the trip down memory lane. :)

Long live the old skool.

[alex1312n]

i love the italohouse!

[Superwesker15]

jajaja esta la escuchaba siempre en el gym jajajaja nunca ponian musica nueva ja

[CarlitosDJmx]

THOSE WERE THE DAYS!

[mariatschien]

<3

[mrcash193]

wtf is up this kinda music and not given credit to the singers!!! gonna make you sweat was the same bullshitt i mean wtf even doe the singer aint all sexy at least give her credit

[dazzireh]

remind of dancing or fighting in the sunset at the bay of SouthTown

[chiperta]

I fucking hate these modern days i wish i could bring this era back.