суббота, 7 февраля 2009 г.

A La Carte


A La Carte

In 1978 two then little-known producers — a married couple of Tony Hendrik and Karin Hartmann, employed by Hansa International (sub-label of Ariola-Eurodisc), matured the project of female pop group: these girl-groups were especially popular in Europe at the late 70s. Among others especially dominated Arabesque (Germany), Baccara (Spain), Maywood and Luv (both from the Netherlands). Thus, there's no something special in appearance of one new act called A LA CARTE ("portioned dish"), and this "dish" consisted three nice-looking girls.

While trio Arabesque conquerred the venues of South-East Asia and, first of all, Japan, trio A La Carte conquerred European Discos. There were just a small differences in music and performance and even in the way of their "formation" and these endless changes in line-ups of the two. And it's absolutely incomprehensible thing why Europe preffered not Arabesques... First single of A La Carte "When The Boys Come Home" (Ariola/Hansa 100 478-100) was released in March 1979. Song, performed by three attractive girls from London: Patsy Fuller, Julia and Elaine, has got popularity and group was invited to the famous German TV-show "Musikladen" ("Music Shop"). Single had good sales and, in October was released the second catchy single "Doctor, Doctor (Help Me Please)" (Ariola/Hansa 101 080-100), yet in new line-up: Patsy Fuller, Jeanny Renshaw, Denise Distelle. After that nobody dares to deny their reputation of the best dance girl-band. In 1980 one more replacement occurs: instead of Denise Distelle came Katie Humble. In March 1980 this line-up launched new single — cover of Manfred Mann's 60s super-hit "Do Wah Diddy Diddy" (Ariola/Hansa 101 677-100) in a short time followed by their first album — "Do Wah Diddy Diddy Round" (LP: Ariola/Hansa/Coconut 202 143-320). Michael Cretu was among the songwriters of these album; lately he succeded more with solo-career of Sandra Lauer (one from "brave three" Arabesque, a bit lately she became Sandra Cretu) and even much more with his synth-pop project Enigma. But the next single of A La Carte — "Ring Me, Honey" (Ariola/Hansa 102 429-100), was released in September 1980.

In January 1981, after change of two members, Jeanny Renshaw, Linda Daniels and Joy Martin released new single "You Get Me On The Run" (Ariola/Hansa/Coconut 102 871-100). The lead vocals in the song were of Jeanny and Joy. The third girl, Linda Daniels, was needed only for "phantom" presence of third singer as recently Denise Distelle. Then were issued 3 singles and next album called "Viva" (LP: Ariola/Hansa/Coconut). There are already 2 songs of Michael Cretu on this album: "Wanted (Jean Le Voleur") and "In the Summer Sun Of Greece". The last — "In the Summer Sun Of Greece", was released lately on single (Ariola/Hansa/Coconut 104 263-100) in April 1982 and its front cover demonstrates one more change in line-up: next Kati Humble's comeback instead of the blue-eyed blonde Linda Daniels. This line-up existed 'till group's splitting.

In July 1982 they released the only one single "Aha Tamoure" (Ariola/Hansa/Coconut 104 569-100) and first total of the group's activity was summed up on first compilation — "The Wonderful Hits Of A La Carte" (LP: Ariola/Hansa/Coconut 204 935-302). This album included nearly all hits of A La Carte: "When The Boys Come Home", "In The Summer Sun Of Greece", "Do Wah Diddy Diddy", "Aha Tamoure", "Viva Torero" and others.

In January 1983 was released the mysterious single called "Radio" (Ariola/Hansa/Coconut 104 918-100), it was included 2 new songs, which for unknown reason, never issued on any LPs.

The next album of group "Rockin' Oldies" (Ariola/Hansa/Coconut 205 743-320) and new single "On The Top Old Smokie" (Ariola/Hansa/Coconut 105 802-100) were released at the same time in September 1983. Lately, in 1984, group launched the next single "Jimme Gimme Reggae" (Ariola/Hansa/Coconut), the title song was the new version of the one from first album and completely new song — "Lightyears Away From Home" was on the back side. After that, A La Cartes disappered from fans' eyes the same as Arabesque. Probably, it was the result of "birth" of new "lovely child" of their producers — Karin Hartmann and Tony Hendrik — male trio Bad Boys Blue, launched in 1984 with "L.O.V.E. In My Car ". But, maybe, because of decreasing demand in music market to the female acts and increasing vice versa to male ones. The attractive girl-groups were competed by male duos and trios like Modern Talking, Joy, London Boys, Silent Circle, Pet Shop Boys...

In 1989 well-known in Europe DJ Mungo Jerry undertook an attempt of "resurrection" of A La Carte. This new project had nothing in common with old band. It's used a glory of their names and image. Three young girls found for the aim recorded single "Dancing In The Summertime" (12" single: BMG Ariola/Coconut 612 508) and album "Sun Sun Summertime" (double CD: BMG Ariola/Coconut 296 578). These releases included the bunch of most popular A La Carte hits of the 80s in non-stop recording. More likely and likely, this attempt wasn't successful, so as after issuing of this album the group disappeared from stage...

About the destiny of group's members after splitting is known just a bit. Patsy Fuller lives in Berlin and engaged as in-studio singer. Katie Humble do the same job in London. Jeanny Renshaw, which was "the lead voice" in songs of A La Carte, after splitting, recorded solo single "Life Goes Up - Life Goes Down". Lately, after she was married and become Frau Major, she came to Australia where she lives now, working as advertising agent.

10 years after, in 1999, in time of the splash of interest to the dance music of the early 80s, a few comebacks of recently popular singers and reunification of forgotten groups, BMG Ariola Miller GmbH (Ariola Express) released new album of A La Carte "Best Of", which trying to be up-to-date, includes covers of forgotten hits, having recalled to the world that someday this music was very popular...

© Original Russian text by Alex (Invisible Man), with assistance of Marc Wiese. © 2004-2005 English translation by L.D.

Discography
Albums

A La Carte - 1980 - Do Wah Diddy Diddy
A La Carte - 1981 - Viva
A La Carte - 1982 - Rockin` Oldies
A La Carte - 1999 - The Best Of

A La Carte - 1980 - Do Wah Diddy Diddy



01-Jimmy Gimme Reggae
02-I Don't Want No Plastic Lover
03-Doctor, Doctor (Help Me Please)
04-Ring Me Honey
05-When The Boys Come Home
06-Red Indian Drums
07-It Was A Night Of Wonder
08-Price Of Love
09-Farewell, Farewell To Carlingford

Genre: Pop / Disco
Codec: Lame 3.92
Quality: CBR, 192kbps, stereo

http://rapidshare.com/files/195131940/ALC_-_DWDD.rar

A La Carte - 1981 - Viva



01-Viva Torero
02-Morning Songbird
03-Cubatao
04-In The Summer Sun Of Greece
05-Try A Little Tenderness
06-Wanted (Jean Le Voleur)
07-You Get Me On The Run
08-Have You Forgotten (Wolga Song)
09-River Blue
10-Dong Dong Diki Diki Dong

Genre: Pop / Disco
Codec: Lame 3.92
Quality: CBR, 192kbps, stereo

http://rapidshare.com/files/195146053/ALC_-_V.rar

A La Carte - 1982 - Rockin` Oldies



1 On Top Of Old Smokie 3:37
2 Have I The Right 3:20
3 Do Wah Diddy Diddy 3:39
4 Tennessee Waltz 4:00
5 Cotton Fields 3:44
6 Stupid Cupid 3:19
7 Heart Full Of Soul 3:37
8 Tell Him 2:49
9 Hey John, Hey Tom 3:03
10 Dong Dikki Dikki Dong 2:57
11 I`m A Believer 2:37
12 The Tamoure 3:20
13 Bananas 4:03
14 Do Wah Diddy Diddy - 2 3:28
15 Doctor, Doctor (Help Me Please) 4:33
16 When The Boys Come Home 2:56
17 Ring Me Honey 3:54
18 You Get Me On The Run 3:12
19 Dong Dong Diki Diki Dong 3:00
20 Ahe Tamoure 3:19
21 The Hit Mix 7:35

Genre: Pop / Disco
Codec: Lame 3.92
Quality: CBR, 192kbps, stereo

http://rapidshare.com/files/195156420/ALC_-_RO.part1.rar
http://rapidshare.com/files/195157398/ALC_-_RO.part2.ra

A La Carte - 1999 - The Best Of




1. Do Wah Diddy Diddy - (remix)
2. River Blue
3. Doctor Doctor - (remix)
4. In the Summer Sun of Gree
5. When the Boys Come Home - (remix)
6. Ring Me Honey 99 - (remix)
7. Red Indian Drums - (remix)
8. Viva Torero
9. You Get Me on the Run 99 - (remix)
10. Dong Dong Diki Diki Dong - (remix)
11. Cubatao
12. Ahe Tamoure 99 - (remix)
13. Jimmy Gimme Reggae
14. Wanted (Jean le Voleur)
15. Hit Mix - (remix)

Genre: Pop / Disco
Codec: Lame 3.92
Quality: CBR, 192kbps, stereo

http://rapidshare.com/files/195140848/ALCB.rar

воскресенье, 1 февраля 2009 г.

ARABESQUE


Formed 1977, Germany
Disbanded 1984

Members
Michaela Rose (vocals)
Sandra Lauer (vocals, 1979-84)
Jasmin Elizabeth Vetter (vocals, 1979-84)
Karen Ann Tepperis (vocals, 1977-78)
Mary Ann Nagel (vocals, 1977-78)
Heike Rimbeau (vocals, 1978-79)
Elke Brückheimer (vocals, 1979)

Related Artists
Michael Cretu, Rouge
Genres Disco, Euro Pop

The all-girl trio Arabesque was created by two Frankfurt-based German producers at the height of the disco era in 1977. After one album and a few singles that had found surprising success in Japan, the producers changed the lineup, keeping Michaela Rose and replacing the two other girls with Jasmin Vetter and Sandra Lauer. Vetter, a former gymnast, also became the trio's choreographer and Lauer, soon to be billed simply as Sandra, assumed the position of a lead vocalist. The first single of the updated Arabesque, "Hello, Mr. Monkey" went to number one in Japan. The Far East remained the band's biggest market, with numerous albums and compilations released over the years. However, Arabesque's success in their homeland was very modest, with only one single, "Marigot Bay," entering the German charts at number eight in 1981. In 1984, they disbanded and Sandra embarked on a successful solo career with the songs written by her future husband Michael Cretu (of Enigma fame.) Jasmin Vetter and Michaela Rose formed a new duet, Rouge, but after a few obscure singles it ceased to exist. ~ Yuri German, All Music Guide

Arabesque (group)


Arabesque (group)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Arabesque was a famous German disco music group formed in 1977, consisting of Sandra Cretu (joined the group in 1979), Jasmin Vetter, and Michaela Rose. After a split in 1984 Jasmin Vetter and Michaela Rose continued as the group "Rouge", while Sandra Cretu started her career in the group Sandra with Michael Cretu.

Arabesque was popular in Japan, selling more than 6 million albums there[citation needed]. They also had success in the USSR. In 1980 the single "Take Me Don't Break Me" became a hit, which only scraped the German Top 40. Their next single, "Marigot Bay", would become their single Top Ten hit a few weeks later. Their last singles "Ecstasy" and "Time to Say Goodbye", turned hits after their split, on various central, south and east European countries, because they sounded very close to the "Italo-disco" sound, a very popular music genre of the European Discotheques at that time. Those songs spread and gained success through LP compilations of dance/pop music and bootleg tapes, so the group never could take advantage of this success neither those songs turn on any kind of charts as "singles". That was a common problem for many '80s European artists. The last Arabesque singles introduced the "Italo-disco" sound to Japan, under the term "eurobeat", previously used in the UK for the Stock Aitken Waterman productions. That soon lead to Japan's Super Eurobeat music style.

On December 16, 2006 Arabesque (featuring Michaela Rose and two new members Sabine Kaemper and Silke Brauner) headlined the second Retro FM festival in Moscow. According to Russian press they are planning a tour in Japan and a possible new album.[1]

Discography
Albums

Arabesque-I - 1978 - Friday Night
Arabesque-II - 1979 - City Cats
Arabesque-III - 1980 - Marigot Bay
Arabesque-IV - 1980 - Arabesque-IV
Arabesque-V - 1981 - In For A Penny
Arabesque-VI - 1981 - Caballero
Arabesque-VII - 1982 - Why No Reply
Arabesque-VIII - 1983 - Dance Dance Dance
Arabesque-IX - 1984 - Time To Say Good Bye

ARABESQUE – (1978) FRIDAY NIGHT


ARABESQUE – (1978) FRIDAY NIGHT

1. Hello Mr. Monkey
2. Fly High, Little Butterfly
3. Someone Is Waiting For You
4. The Man With The Gun
5. Six Times A Day
6. Buggy Boy
7. Friday Night
8. Catch Me Tiger
9. Give It Up
10. Love Is Just A Game

http://rapidshare.com/files/192011004/AI_FN.rar

Genre: Pop / Disco
Codec: Lame 3.92
Quality: CBR, 192kbps, stereo

ARABESQUE – (1979) CITY CATS



ARABESQUE – (1979) CITY CATS

Arabesque - City Cats
Label: HÖR ZU
Catalog#:1C 064-45 776
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country:Germany
Released: 1979
Genre: Electronic
Style: Disco
Credits:Lyrics By - John Möring
Music By, Arranged By - Jean Frankfurter
Producer - Wolfgang Mewes

Tracklisting:

A1 City Cats (2:59)
A2 Peppermint Jack (3:04)
A3 Rock Me After Midnight (3:47)
A4 Dancin' In The Fire Of Love (3:27)
A5 Helldriver (4:53)
B1 Don't Kiss A Crocodile (3:29)
B2 Lucifers Lover (3:31)
B3 Plastic Heart (3:59)
B4 In The Heat Of The Disco Night (3:14)
B5 It's So Hard To Leave You (4:06)

http://rapidshare.com/files/192016258/AIICC.rar

Genre: Pop / Disco
Codec: Lame 3.92
Quality: CBR, 192kbps, stereo

ARABESQUE – (1980) MARIGOT BAY


ARABESQUE – (1980) MARIGOT BAY

Arabesque - Marigot Bay
Label: Metronome
Catalog #:0060.346
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: Germany
Released: 1980
Genre: Electronic
Style: Disco
Credits: Arranged By, Conductor, Written-By - Jean Frankfurter
Engineer - Klaus Wilcke* , Michael Bestmann , Tommy Grohe*
Mixed By - Fred Schreier
Producer - Wolfgang Mewes
Written-By - John Moering*

Tracklisting:

A1 Once In A Blue Moon (3:18)
A2 Jingle Jangle Joe (3:10)
A3 High Life (3:05)
A4 Bye, Bye My Love (3:29)
A5 Marigot Bay (3:50)
B1 Hey, Catch On (3:20)
B2 Take Me Don't Break Me (3:17)
B3 Parties In A Penthouse (3:18)
B4 Hey What A Magic Night (3:13)
B5 The Only Night Was A Lonely Night (3:20)

http://rapidshare.com/files/192021085/AIIIMB.rar

Genre: Pop / Disco
Codec: Lame 3.92
Quality: CBR, 192kbps, stereo

ARABESQUE – (1980) ARABESQUE IV


ARABESQUE – (1980) ARABESQUE IV

1. Make Love Whenever You Can
2. Keep the Wolf From the Door
3. I Don't Wanna Have Breakfast With You
4. Nights in the Harbour
5. Hey What a Magic Night
6. Midnight Dancer
7. Hi Hi Highway
8. You Win, Hands Down
9. Black Out
10. Born to Reggae

http://rapidshare.com/files/192026761/AIV.rar

Genre: Pop / Disco
Codec: Lame 3.92
Quality: CBR, 192kbps, stereo

ARABESQUE – (1981) IN FOR A PENNY


ARABESQUE – (1981) IN FOR A PENNY

Arabesque - In For A Penny
Label: Metronome
Catalog#: 0060.438
Format: Vinyl, LP
Country: Germany
Released:1981
Genre:Electronic
Style:Disco
Credits:Lyrics By - John Moering*
Music By - Jean Frankfurter
Producer - Wolfgang Mewes

Tracklisting:

A1 In For A Penny (2:58)
A2 Midnight Dancer (3:38)
A3 Born To Reggae (3:26)
A4 Hero Of My Life (3:48)
A5 Highway (4:05)
A6 I Don't Wanna Have Breakfast With You (3:48)
B1 Rebells Of The Bounty (3:59)
B2 Billy's Barbeque (2:48)
B3 Let's Make A Night Of It (3:30)
B4 I Stand By You (3:44)
B5 Indio Boy (3:57)
B6 Make Love (3:45)

http://rapidshare.com/files/192042362/AVIFAP.rar

Genre: Pop / Disco
Codec: Lame 3.92
Quality: CBR, 192kbps, stereo

ARABESQUE – (1981) CABALLERO



ARABESQUE – (1981) CABALLERO

Tracklisting:

1. Caballero
2. Why Do You Ride The High Horse
3. Tall Story Teller
4. Touch And Go
5. Don't Wait For A Sailor
6. Hit The Jackpot
7. Look Alive
8. A Flash In The Pan
9. Fool's Paradise
10. The End Of The Show

http://rapidshare.com/files/192037861/AVIC.rar

Genre: Pop / Disco
Codec: Lame 3.92
Quality: CBR, 192kbps, stereo

ARABESQUE – (1982) WHY NO REPLY


ARABESQUE – (1982) WHY NO REPLY

01. Why No Reply?
02. Discover Me
03. Don't Fall Away From Me
04. Moorea
05. A New Sensation
06. Young Fingers Get Burnt
07. Rainy Love Affair
08. Prison Of Love
09. Surfing Bahama
10. Zanzibar

http://rapidshare.com/files/192214567/AVIIWNR.rar

Genre: Pop / Disco
Codec: Lame 3.92
Quality: CBR, 192kbps, stereo

ARABESQUE – (1983) DANCE DANCE DANCE (ALBUM)


ARABESQUE – (1983) DANCE DANCE DANCE (ALBUM)

01. Dance Dance Dance
02. Bye Bye Superman
03. Heart On Fire
04. You Better Get A Move On
05. Stupid Boys
06. Pack It Up
07. Sunrise In Your Eyes
08. Loser Pays The Piper
09. For Your Smile
10. Angel Face

http://rapidshare.com/files/192420891/Arabesque-VIII.rar

Genre: Pop / Disco
Codec: Lame 3.92
Quality: CBR, 192kbps, stereo

ARABESQUE – (1984) TIME TO SAY 'GOOD BYE' (ALBUM)



ARABESQUE – (1984) TIME TO SAY 'GOOD BYE' (ALBUM)


1. Tropical Summer Night
2. Time To Say 'Good Bye'
3. Ladies First
4. Ecstasy
5. Love's Like A Symphony
6. Dreamin'
7. Stop Crying For The Moon
8. The Smile Of A Clown
9. Sunset In New York
10. Squaw

http://rapidshare.com/files/192032392/AIXTTSG.rar

Genre: Pop / Disco
Codec: Lame 3.92
Quality: CBR, 192kbps, stereo