FMT Featuring Camilla - So Into You (1992)

Thanks to the extreme generousity of Isle fan Robert G., I can offer you another album off of my want list. This is another gem I had only on cassette and had trouble locating the CD for, but Robert just bought and ripped it for me and I had to share with you immediately. Thanks a million, Robert! FMT was essentially Frank Meyer-Thurn, a German songwriter, musician and producer, and his wife, singer and songwriter Camilla Hüther. After working in the band McScrooge in the late 1970s, Meyer-Thurn met Camilla in Mannheim and they formed the new wave group Camilla Motor (originally known as Camilla Motor & Die Sexzylinder). They released two German albums, Camilla Motor in 1981 and Ein Neues Glück in 1982. They married in 1984, and carried on working together throughout the 1980s, writing, producing and performing with and as part of European dance acts such as Rewind, Crack Express, Amati and Private Blue. These were all single releases on smaller labels but they soon got a deal with a major label, EMI Electrola. As FMT, they mellowed out their sound, which had been primarily HiNRG and italo-disco, and explored house, hip hop, 70s psychedelic rock and soul. The closest comparison to their sound would be DNA's hit remix of Suzanne Vega's "Tom's Diner", which was clearly an influence. In fact, their first single was a remake of Leonard Cohen's moody "Suzanne", an obvious tribute to the singer. The single was successful in Europe and was followed by a remake of Paul Simon's "50 Ways To Leave Your Lover". The success of both singles caught the eye of Capitol Records in North America, and an album was issued. The lead-off single was a remake of Atlanta Rhythm Section's "So Into You". While also a hit in Europe, it failed to generate interest in North America. The FMT project was dropped, with none of their original tracks having been released, including a tribute to Jimi Hendrix and Janis Joplin. But the two carried on, producing, writing, remixing and performing throughout the 1990's and 2000's under different aliases - Camilla as Jean Bronte, and Frank as FMT Posse, John Ritt, and Zed Lovedust, among others. Unfortunately Frank died in January 2009, and Camilla (who is not the woman pictured on the cover, BTW) is missing in action...

Download So Into You

1		50 Ways To Leave Your Lover
2		Jimi & Janis (A Tribute!)
3		Oasis
4		I Want U, Baby
5		No Better Lover
6		Suzanne
7		So Into You
8		Crank It Up
9		U Can Touch Me Anywhere
10		I Want U, Baby (Humpty Dumpty Remix)

Burrell - Burrell (1988)

Here is another album that I only had on vinyl until last week, when I realized that I needed the CD. I first heard of Burrell back in the 80s when I saw the video to their song "I Really Like". I instantly fell in love, but heard nothing else from them and forgot about them until I saw the vinyl of their album many years ago. Luckily there were more great house songs on it. Rheji & Rhano (aka Ronald) Burrell are identical twin brothers who were born and raised in New Jersey. In their early teens they were part of a gospel group, Inner Spirit. Their local success with this group, as well as their burgeoning technical skills, led to a recording contract with Virgin. They wrote and produced most of their debut, along with some help from R&B and house artist and producer Terry Burrus. The album was a mix of uptempo house songs and R&B ballads. Their first single was the awesome "I Really Like", an upbeat house track. It had some dance club success and was followed up by the more R&B flavoured "I'll Wait For You (Take Your Time)". But it was the third single, "Put Your Trust In The Music", released the following year, that is likely their best known and loved track. It too is a pumping house track. At the same time, Ronald was getting into producing and produced the first two singles by previous Isle postees Bas Noir. Those tracks, "My Love Is Magic" and "I'm Glad You Came To Me", were also house tracks and were far bigger hits than the Burrell singles. This in part led to the Burrell brothers turning their backs on being artists and focusing more on production. With their associates Frank and Karen Mendez they even started a label, Nu Groove, to release Burrell material. Over the next few years, the brothers, especially Ronald, were behind most of the label's output, which was primarily deep house. Ronald also produced some tracks for previous Isle postee Ceybil Jefferies. They also released a few tracks as artists again, under the names B.M.E. (Burrell Music Enterprises), BME Project, and A.B.T. (A Burrell Thang). In the late 90s Rheji got more involved in production, but while Ronald was mostly a house producer, Rheji concentrated on R&B and produced acts like Aaliyah, Total, Monifah and Yvette Michelle. They have remained active in the music scene, writing, producing and remixing mostly for indie artists, and run Burrell Brothers Entertainment. (And on a side note, they should not be confused with the boxing Burrell Brothers, who are also identical twins born in New York State. ;)

Video for I Really Like

Download Burrell

1		Trust In The Music
2		I'll Wait For You (Take Your Time)
3		I Really Like
4		Gonna Make You Dance
5		Dominate Me
6		Sunshine
7		Let Me Love You Tonight
8		No Greater Love
9		Calling
10		One And Only Lady

A.N.G. - Outta Bounds (1994)

So I thought I'd post a quick one this time as I have a little time and don't want to keep ya'll waiting for something new for too long. This is the only album by A.N.G., which stands for "Aint No Gains". There is so little info in the CD booklet to determine anything about this artist. It appears A.N.G. was a solo female rapper (she calls herself 'Angie ANG' on some tracks), and from the obscured image in the booklet I can't determine her exact race. It was released on the indie label Wall Street Records, which was based in Detroit (and is still based in Michigan), so I assume that's where A.N.G. is from as well. Given the cover with A.N.G. surrounded by a gang on a dark city street, you'd assume this album was gangsta rap, but not at all. (Likely the obscured and misleading album art didn't help the album's success.) It's totally pop-rap, reminiscent of Monie Love or The Real Roxanne's first album. There is even hip-house and the song "I Got What It Takes" samples the Mary Jane Girls classic "In My House". The tracks "Hello Baby" and "Rufless Hoe" were released as singles, but I think it's safe to say they failed to hit anywhere, except maybe locally. And that's all I have on A.N.G.. If anyone else knows anything, please do let us know. For now, enjoy the album, which I admit I only listened to once before, eons ago when I first bought it from a $1 bin - listening to it again, it is actually much better and a lot more fun than I remember.

UPDATE:  A.N.G. herself, real name Angie Gallizzi,  just wrote and gave us a full rundown of her career!  Amazing!  Glad you checked back, Angie, as I wouldn't want you thinking you were being dissed here! LOL I suspected that your image was obscured due to race issues, which is an unfortunate circumstance, as it seems to have gotten easier for "white" rappers.  Your story is an amazing one that many will appreciate here as I'm sure it's similar to several other artists featured here.  Well, at least here your legacy lives on!  Thanks again for filling us in!  Much appreciated.  Everyone who wishes to, contact her Facebook page. So, with no further ado, here is Angie's story (it seems you had to write it twice - sorry, not sure why it didn't work the first time, but since you added a few different pieces of info I'm going to quote both messages. ;):

"I was born and raised in Southwest Detroit. My name is Angelica. I am actually Italian (it was intentional that you could not tell my nationality/race). I stumbled upon the opportunity to rap in 1992 due to auditions through Wall Street Records. By signing with all three Wall Street entites (Records, Production, Management), they had total control over my career. I was made an offer by a major label, but (unfortunately and fatally) Wall Street declinded on my behalf, so here I sit, amongst the 'Isle of Deserted Pop Stars.' LOL. With the proper guidence, I know I could have made it, since my lyrics were versatile (lyrics you won't find on this album!) and my voice could not allow you to guess much about how I looked. I was not allowed to rap how/what I wanted to (my lyrics were extremely street, with a somewhat comical twist), because they (Wall Street) wanted me to be commercial. I actually blew up on Indiana (Southbend area) and did okay amongst D.J.s in Eurpoe. I did some good shows and opened up for Marky Mark, 95 South, and Compton's Most Wanted, and MC Breed (from Flint, Michigan) quite a few times. I would rap offstage for a few minutes to get the crowd into it before I let them know what I looked like; walking out in the early-90s, pale as I was, could turn the crowd completely off. My one and only video for London Bridge still resides on various video networks (http://www.songmama.com/song_213_A.N.G.-London_Bridge.html). Kurtis Blow produced a few cuts on the album. 'Hello Baby' was actually partially remade from Kurtis Blow's 'Good to Go.' I remember him specifically telling me that I was a great writer, an awesome rapper, and that I would never make it (for various reasons). I'm guessing he was right! LOL. Hope this helps and thanks for giving me props. I am actually a pretty good (albeit washed-up) rapper and one of the few who can actually still 'freestyle' the way 'freestyling' was meant to be defined. Anybody with questions can holla at me: Angie Gallizzi (Facebook). PEACE!

My name is Angelica. I am Italian, born and raised in Detroit. I was signed with Wall Street Records, Production, and Management in the early-1990s. It is intentional that you cannot tell what my nationality/race is. I opened for the likes of Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch, 95 South, and Compton's Most Wanted, as well as MC Breed out of Flint, Michigan (he opened for me once). I used to rap off stage for a few minutes to get the crowd into the show. In the early-1990s it could prove to be quite a bad move to just walk out on stage, as pale as I was. I blew up in Indiana...Southbend area mostly, and did okay in Europe, so I hear. Kurtis Blow was a producer on a few tracks. "Hello Baby" is actually somewhat of a remake of his B-side "Good to Go" (we used the lick on that one)--I completely rewrote the verses. He (Kurt) pulled me to the side and told me that I was a great writer, and awesome rapper, and that I would never make it. He was well aware of my contractual obligation/situation (I signed my life away to Wall Street), and he proved to be right when (unbeknownst to me) a MAJOR label from NYC offered me a deal, which was turned down by my management. Wall Street released my album, but put a lot of money into a group in Atlanta, which proved to be fatal, since that group refused to interview on white radio stations or do certain shows (meanwhile, I grabbed at any exposure I could get). Once Wall Street started to sink, my project was deserted. Hence, I forever reside on the "Isle of Deserted Pop Stars." LOL. For the record, I had songs with amazing lyrics, very street, with a comical twist (you will not find any of this on my album), but was not allowed to rap what/how I wanted to, since Wall Street wanted me to be commercial. And, there you have it! Any other questions, I would be glad to answer here or on Facebook...Angie Gallizzi. If you search that name and come up with 'Whodadaddy Datchocolatedbaby' and see a pale neck with a Detroit 'D' on it, then you have found the right Angie! PEACE!"  

Download Outta Bounds

1		Outta Bounds / That Played Out Trip
2		Havin A Baby
3		Life Goes On
4		Political Trippin Intro
5		Political Trippin
6		Outta Bounds / Keep Em Rollin
7		I Got What It Takes
8		Outta Bounds / Turn Up Da Bass Base
9		Jack Jam
10		Rufless Hoe
11		Outta Bounds / Do You Lof Me
12		London Bridge
13		Hello Baby

Good 2 Go - Good 2 Go (1992)

I apologize for the lack of posts, but the summer has been really busy so far! And since I like to research the acts I post and not just post album links, it takes a bit more time to put together posts. But I will when I can, and to tide you over here is another often requested group that is also in keeping with the 'new Jill swing' vibe of the last couple posts. Good 2 Go were brought together in Los Angeles by manager Hiriam Hicks and consisted of Kathy Webb, Melissa Miller, Missy Newman, Natalie Fernie and Cindy Shows. Hicks had a deal with Giant Records to create a female group, and clearly the idea was to create a female version of Giant Records' biggest act at the time, Color Me Badd, the all-male and mostly all-white new jack swing group (and, according to Natalie, a rival for the Good Girls). The majority of the album was produced by Dr. Freeze, who was behind CMB's biggest hit "I Wanna Sex You Up" and Bell Biv Devoe's "Poison", another act that Hicks managed. The other tracks were produced by a variety of lesser-known R&B producers that had also worked with those bands. The girls' first single, "Never Satisfied", reached #64 on the Billboard Hot 100 and became a top ten R&B hit, thanks to the fact that, like I mentioned with previous postees Rainbow Girls, the single was initially released without their picture on the cover. Black audiences just assumed that they were black artists, which was the label's intent. Once the audience made the song popular, the video was released to reveal that it was a bunch of white girls. A second single, "He Thinks He's All That", was released soon after and failed to make a similar impact, likely due in part to the label's refusal to make a video, though perhaps the fact that the ladies were revealed to be white worked against them. Giant wanted the group to be a major pop crossover success, and when that didn't happen they dropped them. The girls broke up and went their own ways, though some still keep in touch and work sporadically in the music world. To hear a great interview with Natalie Fernie from a few years ago about the group's career, go HERE.

Video for Never Satisfied

Download Good 2 Go

1		Good 2 Go
2		Go With The Flow
3		Notice Me
4		Money Can't Buy Love
5		White House
6		Never Satisfied
7		He Thinks He's All That
8		Don't Want To Change You
9		Romance You
10		Oooooo Song