Franky Rizardo: Sampling the Past, Owning the Present
Franky Rizardo has a gift for breathing new life into classic tracks, reimagining hits from the past and transforming them into modern dance floor heaters. Drawing inspiration from the unmistakable sounds of the 80s, he reworks elements from an era defined by bold melodies and timeless grooves.
Through the art of sampling, Rizardo bridges the past and the present, adding his signature touch to familiar riffs, vocals, and hooks to create fresh house tunes that his audience and listeners adore. This approach to production not only honors the originals but also pays homage to the classics by blending eras and styles. Here’s a look at five standout tracks where Franky successfully sampled the 80s, turning them into chart-breaking releases and top-notch moments on the dancefloor.
Franky Rizardo playing his first set at 12 years old
"Bloom" by Franky Rizardo (2023)
Released on his own label, LTF Records, "Bloom" samples "My Jamaican Guy," a 1982 soul/funk/disco single by Jamaican singer and actress Grace Jones. The original track’s reggae-infused funk is introduced about 10 seconds into "Bloom" and carries throughout the song, adding the perfect disco-funk element.
“Same Man” by Franky Rizardo (2017)
In 2017, Franky Rizardo released a track on Defected Records that sampled "For the Same Man," a 1983 deep soul disco tune by B Beat Girls. About a minute into Rizardo’s track, the unmistakable sample from the original comes through, adding a nostalgic yet fresh element. This sample, a favorite in the house music scene, features iconic lyrics that make the track irresistibly danceable and a crowd favorite on the dancefloor.
“Love Me Right” by Franky Rizardo (2023)
One of Franky Rizardo’s heavy-hitters, released on LTF Records, “Love Me Right” had the house music scene in a chokehold with its sample of the 1985 synth-funk/R&B classic "Oh Sheila" by Ready for the World. Originally released as a single, "Oh Sheila" topped multiple charts, including the US Billboard Hot 100, Billboard Hot Black Singles, and Billboard Hot Dance/Disco Club Play chart. In Franky’s track, the famous sample appears almost immediately, while in the original, it doesn’t emerge until about 45 seconds in. This feel-good rework amassed over 2 million streams (and counting) on Spotify.
“Make My Body Move” By Franky Rizardo, Cara Melín (2024)
In 2024, Franky Rizardo released "Make My Body Move," one of his biggest tracks on his own label, LTF Records. The track features a sample from the late 80s to early 90s hit "Make My Body Rock" by Jomanda, released on Big Beat Records. Jomanda, an American female house music vocal trio from New Jersey, was known for their soulful and energetic sound. Lead vocals were often shared by Cheri Williams and Joanne Thomas, whose voices helped define the group’s identity.
Fun fact: The original "Make My Body Rock" was released the same year Snapple started distributing their lemon iced tea.
“A New Recreation” by Franky Rizardo (2014)
In 2014, Franky Rizardo dropped "A New Recreation" on OFF Recordings, giving a fresh twist to a classic track. This time, he sampled the 1990 hit "Touch Me (All Night Long)" by British singer, songwriter, and producer Cathy Dennis. You can catch hints of the original sprinkled throughout Franky’s track, blending perfectly into his vibe and adding a fun, retro-inspired touch to this tune.
