Saturday, April 18, 2009

Chuckii Booker

Chuckii Booker (born on December 19, 1962 in Los Angeles, California) is an R&B singer, bandleader, songwriter and instrumentalist. As a teenager, he became talented on the guitar and the drums.

In 1984, his godfather, the late Barry White signed him to a record deal with Barry's production company, but unfortunately, Chuckii left after Barry failed to issue an album that Chuckii recorded.

After that, Chuckii joined R&B group, Tease as a keyboardist for three years. He worked with artists such as Geoffrey Williams, White, CJ Anthony, Lalah Hathaway, Troop, Kool & The Gang and Vanessa Williams. He was even the musical director for Janet Jackson's "Rhythm Nation" tour.
In 1989, he released his debut album, "Chuckii" which peaked at #116 on the Billboard 200 and #18 on Billboard's R&B Albums chart.
The first single, "Turned Away" peaked at #42 on the Billboard Hot 100, #17 on Billboard's Hot Dance Music\Maxi-Singles Sales chart, and topped Billboard's Hot Black Singles chart in July of 1989, topping the chart for a week and staying on the chart for 18 weeks.
The follow-up single, "(Don't U Know) I Love U" peaked at #4 on Billboard's Hot Black Singles chart, staying on the chart for 17 weeks.
The last single from the album, "Touch" peaked at #13 on Billboard's Hot Black Singles chart, staying on the chart for 14 weeks.
In 1992, Chuckii released his sophomore album, "Niice 'n Wiild" which peaked at #13 on Billboard's R&B Albums chart.
The first single from the album, "Games" became Chuckii's second #1 R&B hit, topping the chart for a week in November of 1992 and staying on the chart for 35 weeks, becoming Chuckii's highest chart appearance to date.

The follow-up single, "I Should Have Loved You" peaked at #38 on Billboard's Hot R&B Singles chart, staying on the chart for 19 weeks.

After his solo career, Chuckii continued his producing career and was the music director\keyboardist for TLC's "CrazySexyCool" tour, New Edition's "Coming Home" tour, and Faith Evans' "Keep the Faith" tour.

In 2008, he was the musical director for Mary J. Blige's "Heart of the City" tour. He was also the pianist for Tina Turner's "Wildest Dreams" tour in 1997.

Along with his music career, Chuckii attended the Pasadena Art Center College of Design specializing in graphic arts. He was also the co-owner of Aire L.A. Studios in Glendale, California.

To see Chuckii's fan-made MySpace page, go to:
www.myspace.com/chuckiifan

To see the music video for "Turned Away," go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-l6boIyD8o

To see the music video for "(Don't You Know) I Love U," go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RJlKSUWGwqQ

To see a fan-made video for "Touch," go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0i7rENPI2E4

To see the music video for "Games," go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tDmGl9Nr_3w

To see a fan-made video for "I Should Have Loved You," go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hvejq6irXys



[updated on 05\11\12]

Friday, April 17, 2009

Cece Peniston


Cece Peniston (born Cecelia Peniston on September 6, 1969 in Dayton, Ohio) is a female dance singer from the 90s. Before becoming a singer, she was crowned Miss Black Arizona in 1989.

A year later, Cece signed to A&M Records and got some exposure by singing on Phoenix rapper Overweight Pooch's 1991 single, "I Like It."
In 1992, she released her debut album, "Finally" after being discovered by DJ\remixer Manny Lehman.

The album peaked at #70 on the Billboard 200 and #13 on Billboard's R&B Albums chart. It also peaked at #10 on the U.K. Albums chart.
Cece's first single, "Finally" became a dance hit, peaking at #1 on Billboard's Hot Dance Music\Club Play chart and Billboard's Hot Dance Music\Maxi-Singles Sales chart.

The song also became a hit on the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at #5 and peaked at #26 on Billboard's Hot R&B Singles chart, staying on the chart for 16 weeks.

In the U.K., the song peaked at #29 on the U.K. Singles chart, but when the song was re-released in 1992, it peaked at #2 on the chart.
The second single, "We Got a Love Thang" peaked at #20 on the Billboard Hot 100, became Cece's 2nd #1 dance hit, and peaked at #38 on Billboard's Hot R&B Singles chart, staying on the chart for 11 weeks. The song also peaked at #6 on the U.K. Singles chart.
The third single, "Keep on Walkin" peaked at #15 on the Billboard Hot 100, became Cece's 3rd #1 dance hit, and peaked at #3 on Billboard's Hot Black Singles chart, staying on the chart for 20 weeks. In the U.K., the song peaked at #10 on the U.K. Singles chart.
The fourth single, "Inside That I Cried" peaked at #94 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #10 on Billboard's Hot R&B Singles chart, staying on the chart for 20 weeks. The song also peaked at #42 on the U.K. Singles chart. The last single, "Crazy Love" peaked at #97 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #31 on Billboard's Hot R&B Singles chart, staying on the chart for 19 weeks. The song also peaked at #44 on the U.K. Singles chart.In 1994, Cece released her sophomore album, "Thought 'Ya Knew" which peaked at #96 on the Billboard 200 chart and #20 on Billboard's R&B Albums chart.

The album also peaked at #31 on the U.K. Albums chart.
The first single, "Searchin" was released as a promo single in the United Kingdom, but didn't appear to chart at all.
The second single (and the first commercial single from the album,), "I'm in the Mood" peaked at #32 on the Billboard Hot 100, #20 on Billboard's Rhythmic Top 40 chart, #3 on Billboard's Hot Dance Music\Maxi Singles Sales chart, became Cece's 4th #1 dance hit, and peaked at #7 on Billboard's Hot R&B Singles chart in January of 1994, staying on the chart for 22 weeks.

In the U.K., the song peaked at #16 on the U.K. Singles chart. The song, "I Will Be Received" received airplay in Japan.
The third single, "Keep Giving Me Your Love" peaked at #101 on Billboard's Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles chart, #4 on Billboard's Hot Dance Music\Club Play chart and #40 on both Billboard's Mainstream Top 40 and Rhythmic Top 40 charts.

The song also peaked at #36 on the U.K. Singles chart and was moderately successful in New Zealand and Canada.
The fourth single, "I'm Not Over You" peaked at #41 on the Billboard Hot 100, #2 on Billboard's Hot Dance Music\Club Play chart, #31 on Billboard's Rhythmic Top 40 chart, and #10 on Billboard's Hot R&B Singles chart, staying on the chart for 25 weeks.
The fifth and last single, "Hit By Love" peaked at #90 on the Billboard Hot 100, became Cece's 5th #1 dance hit, and peaked at #47 on Billboard's Hot R&B Singles chart, staying on the chart for 13 weeks.

In the U.K., the song peaked at #33 on the U.K. Singles chart. In 1995, Cece was featured on the Sisters of Glory's album, "Good News in Hard Times."
In 1996, she released her third album, "I'm Movin' On" which peaked at #48 on Billboard's R&B Albums chart.
The first single from the album, "Movin' On" peaked at #83 on the Billboard Hot 100, #10 on Billboard's Hot Dance Music\Maxi-Singles Sales chart, and #29 on Billboard's Hot R&B Singles chart, staying on the chart for 17 weeks.
The second single, "Before I Lay" (featuring JoJo Hailey of K-C & JoJo) peaked at #120 on Billboard's Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles chart and #52 on Billboard's Hot R&B Singles chart, staying on the chart for 14 weeks.

In 1998, Cece released her greatest hits compliation album, "The Best of Cece Peniston" which didn't appear to make the charts.
Her cover version of Jocelyn Brown's "Somebody Else's Guy" peaked at #13 on the U.K. Singles chart, but failed to chart in the United States.
A remixed version of Cece's first hit, "Finally" was moderately successful in the U.K., peaking at #13 on the U.K. Singles chart.

In 1998, there were rumors about Cece releasing a fourth album, but those plans never materialized. She continued to release dance singles that reached moderate or no impact on the Billboard charts.

In 2011, Cece signed a record deal with West Swagg Music Group\Bunaglo Records with full distribution through Universal Music Group Distribution and is planning on releasing a new album soon.

To see the music video for "Finally," go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xk8mm1Qmt-Y

To see the music video for "We Got a Love Thang," go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=__ugaiz323k

To see the music video for "Keep on Walkin," go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=heW3TziyFLI

To see the music video for "Inside That I Cried," go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WQdBGNBAtm0

To see the music video for "Crazy Love," go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mngPNv5Qwhg

To see the music video for "I'm in the Mood," go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ImkLeWuigKk

To see the music video for "I'm Not Over You," go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=48qbUfclzxs

To see the music video for "Hit By Love," go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ElL67nIrj5U

To see the music video for "Keep Givin' Me Your Love," go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gz0lts5AcEM

To see the music video for "Movin' On," go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JsrgDfoJ0og



[updated on 05\21\13]

Sunday, April 12, 2009

Junior

Junior (born Norman Giscombe on June 6, 1957 in London, England) is a singer\songwriter who became one of the first British R&B singers to have a successful career in the United States.

Growing up, Junior listened to his older siblings' records and when he was a teenager, he sang in a local band until he decided to start a full-time music career after he finished college. In 1982, Junior released his debut album, "Ji" which peaked at #15 on Billboard's R&B Albums chart and #71 on the Billboard 200 chart. In the U.K., the album peaked at #28 on the U.K. Albums chart.
His first single, "Mama Used To Say" became Junior's biggest U.S. hit to date, peaking at #30 on the Billboard Hot 100, #4 on Billboard's Hot Dance Music\Club Play chart, and #2 on Billboard's Hot Soul Singles chart, staying on the chart for 21 weeks. In the U.K., the song peaked at #7 on the U.K. Singles chart.
The follow-up single, "Too Late" peaked #102 on Billboard's Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles chart, #67 on Billboard's Hot Dance Music\Club Play chart, and #8 on Billboard's Hot Soul Singles chart, staying on the chart for 18 weeks. In the U.K., the song peaked at #20 on the U.K. Singles chart.
The third single, "I Can't Help It\Let Me Know" peaked at #53 on the U.K. Singles chart. Junior became the first black British singer on "Soul Train" and he won Billboard's "Best Newcomer Award."
In 1983, Junior released his sophomore album, "Inside Lookin' Out" which peaked at #177 on the Billboard 200 and #54 on Billboard's R&B Albums chart.

The first single, "Communication Breakdown" peaked at #40 on Billboard's Black Singles chart, staying on the chart for 10 weeks. In the U.K., the song peaked at #57 on the UK Singles chart. The follow-up from the album, "Baby I Want You Back" peaked at #72 on Billboard's Black Singles chart, staying on the chart for 4 weeks.
The third single, "Runnin" peaked at #92 on the U.K. Singles chart, but it didn't chart in the United States.
Junior was featured on the "All the Right Moves" movie soundtrack with the track "Unison" which managed to peak at #44 on Billboard's Black Singles chart, staying on the chart for 11 weeks.
In 1985, Junior released his third album, "Acquired Taste" which peaked at #34 on Billboard's R&B Albums chart.

The first single, "Somebody" peaked at #64 on the U.K. Singles chart. In the U.S., the song peaked at #28 on Billboard's Hot Dance Music\Club Play chart and #47 on Billboard's Black Singles chart, staying on the chart for 10 weeks.
The second single, "Do You Really (Want My Love)?" peaked at #47 on the U.K. Singles chart in February of 1985. The song was featured on the "Beverly Hills Cop" movie soundtrack.
The third single, "Oh Louise" peaked at #74 on the U.K. Singles chart. In the U.S., the song peaked at #14 on Billboard's Hot Black Singles chart, staying on the chart for 16 weeks.
The fourth single, "Come on Over" peaked at #87 on the U.K. Singles chart, staying on the chart for only 2 weeks.
The last single from the album, "Not Tonight" peaked at #76 on Billboard's Hot Black Singles chart, staying on the chart for 8 weeks.
During that same year, Junior sang a duet with Kim Wilde called "Another Step (Closer To You)" which peaked at #6 on the U.K. Singles chart
In 1988, Junior released his fourth album, "Sophisticated Street" which peaked at #56 on Billboard's R&B Albums chart.
The only single to chart was "Yes (If You Want Me)" peaked at #24 on Billboard's Hot Black Singles chart, staying on the chart for 11 weeks. After that, Junior left Polygram Records.
In 1990, Junior released his fifth album, "Stand Strong" on MCA Records which didn't make the charts.
The only single to chart was "Better Part of Me" which peaked at #51 on Billboard's Hot R&B Singles chart, staying on the chart for 8 weeks.
In 1992, Junior released his sixth album, "Renewal" on MCA Records which also failed to make the charts.
The only single to chart, "All Over the World" peaked at #74 on the U.K. Singles chart, which stayed on the chart for only a week.
In 1995, Junior started his own record label, StepOff Music and released his seventh album, "Honesty." The album was released in Japan and the U.K. After that, Junior became a songwriter for artists such as Sheena Easton, Maxi Priest, Warren G, Cam'ron, and Ami Stewart. In 2006, Junior released his eighth album, "Oceans" which is available on CD Baby. Today, Junior still continues to perform in the U.K. He works as a D.J. with the Internet radio station, Solarradio.com.

To see Junior's official website, go to:
http://www.juniorgiscombe.co.uk/

To see Junior's Facebook page, go to:
https://www.facebook.com/juniorgiscombe

To see the music video for "Mama Used to Say," go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rwTTGnDcwoA

To see the music video for "Too Late," go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9_rjeMrrQhU

To see a fan-made video for "Communication Breakdown," go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S89yyf9S0i4

To see a fan-made video for "Baby I Want You Back," go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tX6-9vwvNBY

To see the music video for "Oh Louise," go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y521aJN1jE8

To see the music video for "Yes (If You Want Me)," go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CH6YG7RSae8

To see the music video for "Better Part of Me," go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OlAv-4nBS-0


[updated on 05\11\12]