Judy Torres (aka "The Queen of Freestyle")

Judy Torres (born in the Bronx, New York) is a female freestyle\dance music singer.

At 17 years old, Judy was discovered in a nightclub called Sidestreet where she competed in a "gong show." One of the judges, George Vascones almost "gonged her" for being too humorous, but later approached her & became her first manager.

George introduced Judy to his friend & music producer, Mickey Garcia, who helped her out with her first single.

Judy's first single, "No Reason to Cry" peaked at #16 on Billboard's Hot Dance Music\Club Play chart in June of 1987 and #27 on Billboard's Hot Dance Music\Maxi-Singles Sales chart.

After a year of promotion, Profile Records signed her to their record label and subsequently released her second single.

The second single, "Come Into My Arms" peaked at #19 on Billboard's Hot Dance Music\Club Play chart in January of 1988 and #41 on Billboard's Hot Dance Music\Maxi-Singles Sales chart. During that same year, Judy released a holiday single called "Christmas Won't Be The Same This Year."

In 1989, Judy released her debut album, "Love Story" on Profile Records. It's unknown how or if the album ever made the charts.

The title song managed to peak at #47 on Billboard's Hot Dance Music\Club Play chart in July of 1989.   

The last single from the album, "Love You Will You Love Me" peaked at #33 on Billboard's Hot Dance Music\Maxi-Singles Sales chart.

In 1992, Judy released her sophomore album, "My Soul" which also didn't appear to make the Billboard charts. Despite the low chart performance, the album received good reviews from fans and critics.

The singles "Every Little Lie" and "I Love You For All Seasons" were released, but didn't make the charts at all.

In 1996, a remixed version of "No Reason to Cry" peaked at #30 on Billboard's Hot Dance Music\Club Play chart.

In 1998, Judy released the single, "Back Into Your Arms Again" peaked at #7 on Billboard's Hot Dance Music\Maxi-Singles Sales chart.

In 2004, she released the single, "The Air I Breathe" featuring freestyle singer, Collage on the Robbins Entertainment record label. The song peaked at #22 on Billboard's Hot Dance Music\Maxi-Singles Sales chart.

A year later in 2005, Judy released her cover version of Journey's song, "Faithfully" which peaked at #8 on Billboard's Hot Dance Music\Maxi-Singles Sales chart. The song became one of the most requested songs on the WKTU radio station.

During that same year, Judy was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. An episode of M.S. caused an inflammation of her optic nerve which left her temporarily blind for nearly 3 months. Since then, she has been healthy and active with her condition under control.

In August of 2007, Judy released a cover version of country singer Danielle Peck's song, "I Don't," going back to her freestyle music roots.

In 2008, Judy released the single, "Hell No" which managed to peak at #43 on Billboard's Hot Dance Music\Club Play chart in 2009.

In 2010, she released a cover version of country band, Sugarland's song, "Stay."

These days, Judy continues to sing & perform live. In 2014, she released the single "Beautiful Life" which is available on iTunes.

To see Judy's official website, go to:
http://www.judytorres.com/2010/

To see Judy's official Facebook page, go to:
https://www.facebook.com/judytorresmusic

To follow Judy on Twitter, go to:
http://www.twitter.com/judytorresmusic

To see a fan-made video for "No Reason to Cry," go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=egLdWLt2vwk

To see a fan-made video for "Come Into My Arms," go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PdPI1sJdG68

To see a fan-made video for "Love Story," go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7nkxG96Bguw

To see a fan-made video for "Love You Will You Love Me," go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H8qEJpcdN3U

To see a fan-made video for "I Love You For All Seasons," go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qsGz7nodFTs

To see a fan-made video for "Every Little Lie," go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oP8Sf9n5iPA

To see a fan-made video for "Back In Your Arms Again," go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D7IB2l8BR48

To see a fan-made video for "The Air That I Breathe," go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p9L92SVsUDQ

To see a fan-made video for "Faithfully," go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yivihcJv9KI

To see a fan-made video for "I Don't," go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NgvdzP1xikE

To see the music video for "Hell No," go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p7M_tq_40F8

To see the music video for "Stay," go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ylyO53p8gXE


[updated on 06\10\14]

Maribell

Maribell was a freestyle musician from the 80's. Not much information is given on this wonderfully talented singer.In 1987, Maribell released her first single, "Roses Are Red" on Criminal Records. The song was a moderately successful Freestyle dance hit. In 1991, she released her second single, "Don't Make Me Promises" on Cruzin' Nelson Records. After that, not much has been heard from her. Her two singles are featured on a few freestyle\dance music cds. It seems that Maribell has faded into obscurity.

To see a fan-made video for "Roses Are Red," go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VOFXFZqVI6I

To see a fan-made video for "Don't Make Me Promises," go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=coTm87yr9qo

Al B. Sure!

Al B. Sure! (born Albert Joseph Brown III on June 4, 1968 in Boston, Massachussett) is an R&B singer, songwriter and record producer.

Growing up in Mount Vernon, New York, he was a football quarterback who turned down an athletic scholarship to the University of Iowa to become a musician.

In 1987, Quincy Jones chose Al B. Sure! as the first winner of the Sony Innovators Talent Search. He worked with him on numerous projects including his single "Secret Garden" featuring Barry White, James Ingram and El DeBarge.
In 1988, Al B. Sure released his debut album, "In Effect Mode" which peaked at #20 on the Billboard 200 chart and topped Billboard's R&B Albums chart.

His first single, "Nite and Day" became his biggest hit to date, peaking at #7 on the Billboard Hot 100, topped Billboard's Hot Dance Music\Maxi-Singles Sales chart, #19 on Billboard's Adult Contemporary chart, and topped Billboard's Hot Black Singles chart for 3 weeks in the spring of 1988, staying on the chart for 18 weeks. The song also peaked at #44 on the U.K. Singles chart.

The second single from the album, "Off On Your Own (Girl)" peaked at #45 on the Billboard Hot 100, #8 on Billboard's Hot Dance Music\Maxi-Singles Sales chart, #25 on Billboard's Hot Dance Music\Club Play chart, and became Al B. Sure!'s 2nd #1 R&B hit in August of 1988, topping the chart for 2 weeks and staying on the chart for 19 weeks. The song also peaked at #70 on the U.K. Singles chart.

The third single from the album, "Rescue Me" peaked at #33 on Billboard's Hot Dance Music\Maxi-Singles Sales chart and #3 on Billboard's Hot Black Singles chart, staying on the chart for 14 weeks.

The fourth single, a cover version of Roberta Flack's song "Killing Me Softly" peaked at #80 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #14 on Billboard's Hot Black Singles chart, staying on the chart for 14 weeks.

The last single from the album, "If I'm Not Your Lover" featuring rapper Slick Rick, peaked at #16 on Billboard's Hot Dance Music\Maxi-Single Sales chart and #2 on Billboard's Hot Black Singles chart, staying on the chart for 17 weeks. In the U.K., the song peaked at #54 on the U.K. Singles chart.

In 1990, Al B. Sure released his sophomore album, "Private Times....and the Whole 9" which peaked at #20 on the Billboard 200 and #4 on Billboard's R&B Albums chart.

The first single from the album, "Misunderstanding" peaked at #42 on the Billboard Hot 100, #19 on Billboard's Hot Dance Music\Maxi-Singles Sales chart and topped Billboard's Hot Black Singles chart in November of 1990 for a week & staying on the chart for 17 weeks.

The second single, "No Matter What You Do (Young 'n' Strong)" featuring Diana Ross, peaked at #4 on Billboard's Hot R&B Singles chart, staying on the chart for 14 weeks.

The last single from the album, "Had Enuf?" peaked at #28 on Billboard's Hot R&B Singles chart, staying on the chart for 10 weeks.

In 1992, Al B. Sure released his third album, "Sexy Versus" which peaked at #41 on the Billboard 200 and #2 on Billboard's R&B Albums chart.

The first single from the album, "Right Now" peaked at #47 on the Billboard Hot 100, #24 on Billboard's Rhythmic Top 40 chart, and became Al B. Sure!'s 4th #1 R&B hit, topping the chart in October of 1992 for a week and staying on the chart for 22 weeks.

The second single, "Natalie" peaked at #56 on Billboard's Hot R&B Singles chart, staying on the chart for 12 weeks.

The last single from the album, "I Don't Wanna Cry" peaked at #83 on Billboard's Hot R&B Singles chart, staying on the chart for only 3 weeks.

Al B. Sure! was featured on the "Above the Rim" movie soundtrack with the track "I'm Still in Love With You" which managed to peak at #62 on Billboard's Hot R&B Singles chart, staying on the chart for 20 weeks. He received numerous Grammy and American Music Award nominations and even won the AMA award for "Best New R&B Artist."

Al B. Sure! also received several Soul Train Award nominations and won the Soul Train Award for "Best New Artist." He also won a lot of New York Music Awards.

In addition to his music career, Al B. Sure! worked as a songwriter and producer. He introduced R&B group Jodeci and singers Tevin Campbell (who was a Quincy Jones prodigy), Usher,  Case, Dave Hollister and Faith Evans to the music business. He also starred in talk and television shows.

In 2009, Al B. Sure! released his fourth album, "Honey, I'm Home" which peaked at #85 on the Billboard 200 and #16 on Billboard's R&B Albums chart.

The first single from the album, "I Love It (Papi Aye Aye)" peaked at #72 on Billboard's Hot R&B\Hip-Hop Songs chart, staying on the chart for 10 weeks.

In 2009, he was a DJ at the Los Angeles radio station, KHHT, playing old-school hip-hop & R&B music. He currently hosts the national www.slowjams.com morning show 7 days per week.

In 2010, Al B. Sure! was a contestant of the TV One reality television dating game, "The Ulitmate Merger." He is the father of 3 sons: Quincy, Albert Brown IV (who is an aspiring singer that goes under the stagename, Lil' B. Sure!) and Devin.

To see Al B. Sure!'s official website, go to:
http://www.albsure.net/

To see Al B. Sure!'s official Facebook page, go to:
https://www.facebook.com/OfficialAlBSure

To follow Al B. Sure! on Twitter, go to:
https://twitter.com/#!/OfficialAlBSure

To see the music video for "Nite & Day," go to:
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x1adnd_al-bsure-nite-and-day_music

To see the music video for "Misunderstanding," go to:
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xa14w_al-b-sure-misunderstanding_music

To see the music video for "Off On Your Own (Girl)," go to:
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xmj7p_al-bsure-off-on-your-own_music

To see a fan-made video for "No Matter What You Do," go to:
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x6dr6e_albsureampdianarossnomatterwhatyoud_music

To see a fan-made video for "I Love It (Papi Aye Aye Aye)," go to:

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x9xus8_al-b-sure-i-love-it-papi-aye-aye-ay_music

To see the music video for "Natalie," go to:
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x1adkk_al-bsure-nathalie_music

To see the music video for "Rescue Me," go to:
http://vodpod.com/watch/976358-al-b-sure-rescue-me

[updated on 05\13\12]

Haywoode

Haywoode (born Sidney Haywoode) is an English pop singer from the 80s. She is the sister of singer Emma Haywoode.

At an early age, she trained at London's Corona Stage Academy. She has experience in acting, singing, dancing and modeling. From October of 1981 to 1982, Haywoode joined Flick Colby's Zoo.

In 1983, Haywoode signed to CBS Records and released her first single, "A Time Like This" which peaked at #48 on the U.K. Singles chart.

In the United States, the song peaked at #5 on Billboard's Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart.

Haywoode's second single, "Single Handed" didn't fare better, peaking only at #85 on the U.K. Singles chart.

Her third single, "I Can't Let You Go" peaked at #65 on the U.K. Singles chart in 1984, but a remixed version peaked at #50 on the U.K. Singles chart in 1986.

In 1985, Haywoode released her debut album, "Arrival." It's unknown how or if the album made the charts in the U.K.

Haywoode's fourth single, "Roses" peaked at #65 on the U.K. Singles chart, but when it was re-released a year later, it fared better, peaking at #11.

The song also peaked at #45 on Billboard's Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart. The success of the song led her to appear on "Top Of the Pops."

The fifth single, "Getting Closer" peaked at #67 on the U.K. Singles chart and #25 on Billboard's Hot Dance Music/Maxi-Singles Sales chart.

Her sixth single, "You'd Better Not Fool Around" flopped on the charts, peaking at #82 on the U.K. Singles chart.

In 1987, Haywoode released the single, "I'm Your Puppet" which peaked at #98 on the U.K. Singles chart.

Haywoode later recorded more singles under the name "Sid Haywoode." After that, it seemed as if she faded into obscurity.

She was rumored to have recorded a follow-up album, "A Haywoode Return" for Hollywood Records, but the existence of this album has yet to be proven.

In 2011, (24 years after the release of her debut album) Haywoode released a new album entitled "Bounce Back" on the Wonderlick Productions label.

To see a fan-made video for "A Time Like This," go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7kcIN5dFDlU

To see a fan-made video for "Single Handed," go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MhQ8wC0UjH4

To see a fan-made video for "I Can't Let You Go," go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0SqJ5zbFWMw

To see the music video for "Roses," go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W_aam3tDci8

To see a fan-made video for "Getting Closer," go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OYrxyNIhQDI

To see a fan-made video for "You'd Better Not Fool Around," go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iibUoD3C-HY

To see a fan-made video for "I'm Your Puppet," go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LY_ogkzUZH0

[updated on 05/20/2013]

The Girls

The Girls were an R&B trio from the '80s that was formed by musician/producer André Cymone. The trio consisted of 19-year-old Doris Rhodes, 18-year-old Germain Brooks and 17-year-old Sheila Rankin.

According to an interview with Germain about the trio on the "Those City Nights" Wordpress blog in 2011:

"We all started out as solo artists. I was singing with local bands in clubs and several of the local musicians would come and listen. André would often come out as well and he told me he was working with Doris, whom I had not yet met. However, I expressed interest in working with him as well. A while later, Sheila moved to Minneapolis, and began singing with me in The Style Band. She and I had great chemistry so I thought it would be a good idea to form a group. I brought up the idea to André and he was cool with it so we tried it.” 

During that time, Doris was in her own all-girl group called Fantasy. Andre originally intended to produce her as a solo act, but he saw the potential of getting the three girls together. In 1983, the Girls provided backing vocals for Evelyn "Champagne" King's album, "Face to Face."

In 1984, the group released their only album "Girl Talk" on Columbia Records. It's unknown how or if the album charted.

The singles "Don't Waste My Time" and "S-E-S-E-X" were released, but didn't make the Billboard charts at all due to lack of promotion.

By 1985, the Girls disbanded. According to a comment I received, Sheila Rankin passed from breast cancer at the age of 50 in February of 2016. As for the other girls, it is unknown what they are up to today.

To see a fan-made video for "Don't Waste My Time," go to:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oR9gKAiaC04

[updated on 04\16\2016]

Mel & Kim

Mel (born Melanie Susan Appleby on July 11, 1966) & Kim (born Kim Lorraine Appleby on August 28, 1961) were a British pop/dance duo from the '80s.

In 1985, Mel recorded two solo demos under the management of Alan Whitehead. The producers loved her voice and asked her if she would have someone to sing with and her big sister Kim became involved.

In December of that same year, Mel was treated for a malignant paraganglioma on her liver. Together, the Appleby sisters recorded five demos which got them signed with Supreme Records and the president of the label, Nick East put them in touch with music production team Stock Aitken Waterman.

In 1986, Mel & Kim released their debut single, "Showing Out (Get Fresh At the Weekend)." The song was originally intended to be a B-side to the chosen single, "System," but it was later flipped to the A-side and became a hit, peaking at #3 on the U.K. Singles chart.

In the United States, the song peaked at #78 on the Billboard Hot 100, topped Billboard's Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart for a week in February of 1987 & Billboard's Hot Dance Music/Maxi-Singles Sales chart (along with "System.") The song also peaked at #23 on Billboard's Hot Black Singles chart, staying on the chart for 13 weeks.

The second single, "Respectable" topped the U.K. Singles chart for a week in March of 1987. The song also topped the charts in the Netherlands, Switzerland, Germany, Australia and New Zealand.

In the U.S., the remixed version of the song topped Billboard's Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart for a week in July of 1987 and also topped Billboard's Hot Dance Music/Maxi-Singles Sales chart.

By January of 1987, Mel began experiencing back problems which delayed the filming of the single's music video.

In 1987, Mel & Kim released their debut album, "F.L.M." which peaked at #3 on the U.K. Albums chart. The album went Platinum, selling 400,000 copies in the U.K. and 3 million worldwide.

The title song (meaning "Fun, Love and Money") peaked at #7 on the U.K. Singles chart. The song was also moderately successful in Ireland, Germany, Australia and New Zealand.

In June of 1987, during a promotional visit to Japan, Mel's severe back pain became apparent. When Mel returned to the U.K., she was diagnosed with a recurrance of the cancer in her spine.

The duo withdrew from publicity while Mel underwent treatment. Footage from their performance at the Montreux Festival was used to make the music video for the "F.L.M." single.

While the media speculated that Mel was terminally ill, the sisters denied it and stated that Mel suffered from a debilitating back injury.

In 1988, Mel & Kim released the single, "That's the Way It Is" which peaked at #10 on the U.K. Singles chart.

The song was also moderately successful in Ireland, Germany, Australia, New Zealand and France. In the U.S., the song peaked at #9 on Billboard's Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart.

By the time the single was released, Mel had withdrawn from the public eye after being diagnosed with spinal cancer. She had discharged herself from the hospital to record vocals for the track.

The duo made Mel's illness public and they both appeared on the Wogan Show in April of 1988 while Mel was still undergoing treatment as part of European Cancer Week.

The song was also featured on the  soundtrack to the Eddie Murphy film, "Coming to America." Due to Mel's illness, the Appleby sisters didn't appear in the promotional videoclip for the song and the video featured a team of dancers in a studio.

After that, the duo disappeared from the public view while Mel continued with her cancer treatment.

A promotional single from Mel & Kim's debut album, "More Than Words Can Say" was released only in Sweden, but didn't make the charts.

The last single from the album, "I'm The One Who Really Loves You" received a limited release in the U.S., peaking at #11 on Billboard's Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart and #12 on Billboard's Hot Dance Music/Maxi-Singles Sales chart.

Work on Mel & Kim's follow-up album wasn't continued due to Mel's illness. Sadly on January 18, 1990, Mel succumbed to pneumonia at the age of 23.

With the aid of her boyfriend, ex-Bros bassist, Craig Logan, Kim began a solo career with much of her debut solo album co-written with Mel for what was intended to be Mel & Kim's next album.

Kim's self-titled debut solo album became successful in the U.K. and the  singles from the album: "Don't Worry," "G.L.A.D.," "Mama" and "If You Cared" were moderately successful.

Her sophomore album, "Breakaway" wasn't commercially successful and had a limited release. She released three more singles in 1993 and 1994.

In 2007, Kim released a download-only single, "High." She had a show on the European Internet station entitled "Storm Live" and dabbled in acting as well.

These days, Kim continues to be active in the music business.

To see a video for Mel & Kim performing "Showing Out (Get Fresh at the Weekend)" on "Top of the Pops," go to:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rGeB8FcCQ0o

To see the music video for "Respectable," go to:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PJXmU5afCDM

To see a video of Mel & Kim performing "F.L.M." at the 1987 Montreux Pop Festival, go to:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eJGP0-GjhsM

To see the music video for "That's the Way It Is," go to:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Rosfa15nQg

To see a fan-made video for "I'm The One Who Really Loves You," go to:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ajkR52EpveE

[updated on 05/20/13]