Shaft, an English electronic music production duo consisting of Rizzo and Ireland, began their career in 1997. Before forming Shaft, they operated under various guises, including Skeewiff, and worked at Power Studios in Acton. Their breakthrough came with the release of "(Mucho Mambo) Sway", a cover of Perez Prado's "Sway," which peaked at number 2 on the UK Singles Chart in August 1999 and reached Number 1 on New Zealand's Recorded Music NZ chart in December. The original version featured a vocal sample of Rosemary Clooney, but Rizzo and Ireland were unable to clear the sample; therefore, the vocals on the final track were sung by session singer Donna Canale. The duo followed this success with "Mambo Italiano" (vocal by Donna Canale), which peaked at number 2 on the UK Singles Chart. Both tracks featured on Da Album (2001). The group then went on to record "Kiki Riri Boom" and "Shake Seníora" from their Sophomore album Pick Up on This, released in the same year.
