Alvin Fields

Alvin Fields was an R&B singer\songwriter from the 80s. He was famous for his falsetto voice and worked on music projects with Michael Zager & was a member of the M-Zee Band.

He has written music for artists such as Cissy Houston, Wild Cherry, Denny Greene, the Manhattans, the Afro-Cuban Band, Dionne Warwick and Gladys Knight.

In 1981, Alvin released his only solo album, "Special Delivery" on A&M Records. It's unknown how or if the album made the charts. The title song was released as the first single from the album, but didn't make the Billboard charts at all.

Aaron released two more singles: "Nothing Heavy" in 1985 and "Oniqa / Peace In Paradise" before fading into obscurity. Nothing much has been heard from him since.

To see a fan-made video for "Special Delivery," go to:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XsyWMuOUEIM

To see a fan-made video for "Nothing Heavy," go to:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QX-yFGQsVFs

To see a fan-made video for "Oniqa," go to:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XBUkZ8rFjso

Happy New Year!

Happy 2013, music fans! Rare and Obscure Music did very well last well: both the Blogspot & Wordpress versions.

Did you know that in total, Rare and Obscure Music has a total of 959 posts published since 2008?(Counting this post, of course.)

Once again, Happy New Year from the Music-Know-It-All!!!

Debbie Trusty

Debbie Trusty was a female R&B\dance singer from the 80s. Not much information is given about her, but she was signed to West End Records.

In 1982, Debbie released the single, "Searchin' For Some Lovin'." It's unknown how or if the single ever made the charts. After that, it seems as if Debbie has faded into obscurity.

To see a fan-made video for "Searchin' For Some Lovin'," go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r7GM59k8zlc

Inez Brooks

Inez Brooks was an R&B singer from the early 80s. Not much information is given about her, but she was signed to West End Records.

In 1981, Inez released the single, "Chillin' Out." It's unknown how or if the single ever made the charts at all. After that, it seems as if Inez Brooks has faded into obscurity. Nothing much has been heard from Inez since the 80s.

[There are no videos available for this entry]

Wanda & The Way It Is

Wanda & The Way It Is is an R&B band that originally consisted of Wanda (whose real name is Janet Laing), Lily White, Pam Fleming and Jenny Hill.

The band's name is a reference to the character Wanda von Dunajew from Sacher Masoch's novel "Venus in Furs". The name was thought up by Stanley Crouch (who was a writer for the Village Voice) after he heard a song Janet recorded called "Go Get Him".

In 1980, Janet moved to New York City from Berkeley, California to pursue a singing career and was part of a band called the Funktionaries. After getting kicked out of the band, she started her own band.

Wanda & The Way It Is formed in 1984 and their first gig was opening up for singer Martha Reeves. After performing all over in Manhattan, they signed to 4th & Broadway Records in 1987.

During that same year, they released the single "We Got the Feeling" which didn't appear to make the Billboard charts at all.

After that, the A&R guy for Wanda & the Way It Is passed away and Janet struggled with an alcohol addiction which she beat years later.  She later began writing stories under the pseudonym "Wanda von Dunagoy".

According to a comment I received back in 2013, the band was back in the studio, working on a new album and in 2014, they released the album "Epiphany" which is available on iTunes, Amazon.com and CD Baby.

The current line-up for the band consists of Wanda, Dionne McClain-Freeney, Sherryl Marshall, Deborah Berg, Bernice Brooks, Pam Fleming, Jenny Hill, Lily White, Sean Dixon and Mark Unthank.

To see the band's official website, go to:
http://www.wandaandthewayitis.com

[Updated on 04\06\2016]

Clubhouse Orchestra

Clubhouse Orchestra was a pop\dance music act from the 80s. Not much information is given about them, but they were signed to 4th & Broadway Records.

In 1987, Clubhouse Orchestra released the single, "Jump Right On the Case" which didn't appear to make the charts. It was written and produced by Alan George & Fred McFarlane.

After that, it seems as if Clubhouse Orchestra has faded into obscurity. Nothing much has been heard from them since.

[There are no videos available for this entry.]

Debra Dejean

Debra Dejean (from Memphis, Tennessee) was a female dance singer from the 80s. Not much information is given about Debra, but she was signed to the Handshake Records And Tapes label.

In 1981, Debra release her only self-titled album. It's unknown how or if the album ever made the charts at all. 

The first single, "Are You Lovin Somebody/You've Really Got A Hold On Me" was released, but didn't make the charts.

Debra's second single, "Goosebumps/Underfire" was released, but once again, it failed to make impact on the charts.

The last single, "Strange Love" failed to make the charts at all. After that, it seems as if Debra Dejean has faded into obscurity. Nothing much has been heard from her since the 80s.

To see a fan-made video for "Strange Love," go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=81OsiMP3Vgg

To see a fan-made video for "Are You Lovin' Somebody," go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=33ZNXMOzCY4

To see a fan-made video for "Goosebumps," go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ke7vkG2TjWs

Connie Brighton

Connie Brighton was a female R&B\soul singer from the 80s. Not much information is given about her, but she was signed to The Handshake Records and Tapes label.

In 1984, Connie released the single, "The Clapping Song\Keep on Clappin'." It's unknown how or if the single ever made the charts. After that, it seems as if Connie has faded into obscurity. Nothing much has been heard from her since.

[There are no videos available for this entry]

The Tamperer featuring Maya

The Tamperer featuring Maya was an Italian dance music group that consisted of Italian record producers Mario Fargetta & Alex Farolfi and American female singer, Maya Days.

Later on, Guiliano Saglia and GianLuca Mensi joined the project. In 1998, they released their debut album "Fabulous" on Jive Records.

Their first single "Feel It" (which sampled The Jacksons' song "Can You Feel It") peaked at #4 on Billboard's Hot Dance Music\Club Play chart in September of 1998 and #43 on Billboard's Hot Dance Music\Maxi-Singles Sales chart.

The song topped the charts in the United Kingdom (where it was certified gold), Belgium, Ireland and the dance charts in Canada.

The group's follow-up single "If You Buy This Record Your Life Will Be Better" (which sampled Madonna's song "Material Girl") peaked at #15 on Billboard's Hot Dance Music\Club Play chart in May of 1999 and #16 on Billboard's Hot Dance Music\Maxi-Singles Sales chart.

It was successful in the United Kingdom where it peaked at #3 on the U.K. Singles chart and was certified silver.

In 2000, the group returned to released their final single, "Hammer to the Heart" (which was based on ABBA's song "Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! (A Man After Midnight)") peaked at #6 on the U.K. Singles chart and was moderately successful internationally.

After that, nothing much was heard from The Tamperer featuring Maya and they faded into obscurity.

Today, Mario Fargetta (now under the name "Fargetta") continues to DJ and appears to be active in the music business. Maya Days is an actress and has appeared on the television show "Damages."

To see the music video for "Feel It," go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ht-m4vMWRqA

To see the music video for "If You Buy This Record Your Life Will Be Better," go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pFNcBB3nZok

To see the music video for "Hammer to the Heart," go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gkSiuOoCh9g

Dakota Moon

Dakota Moon was a pop rock, R&B, and country band from Los Angeles, California that consisted of Ray Artis, Joe Dean, Mike Malloy and singer Ty Taylor. Ray & Ty were from New York and Joe & Malloy were from California.

All four of them sang vocals, but Joe played guitar, Ray played bass and Malloy played percussion.

The quartet met at a recording session in Los Angeles for music producers Andrew Logan and Mike More. They had such chemistry, they decided to form a band.

Ray & Ty moved to Los Angeles and the band began to play regularly on the L.A. club circuit.

After Sylvia Rhone (the head of Elektra Records) spotted Dakota Moon in concert, she offered them a recording contract which they accepted.

Before making their debut album, the band toured as the opening act for Tina Turner in 1997. By the end of the year, they recorded their debut album.

In April of 1998, Dakota Moon released their self-titled debut album which didn't appear to make the Billboard 200 chart.

The first single "A Promise I Make" peaked at #69 on the Billboard Hot 100 in May of 1998, #19 on Billboard's Adult Contemporary chart in May of 1998 and #37 on Billboard's Top 40 Mainstream chart.

The follow-up single "Another Day Goes By" peaked at #19 on Billboard's Adult Contemporary chart in November of 1998 and #36 on Billboard's Adult Top 40 chart.

Dakota Moon released two more singles from the album: "She Knows" and "Your Smiling Face" which didn't appear to make the Billboard charts at all.

In 2002, Dakota Moon released their last album to date "A Place to Land" which also didn't make the Billboard 200.

The only single to chart was "Looking For a Place to Land" which peaked at #30 on Billboard's Adult Contemporary chart in February of 2002 and #27 on Billboard's Adult Top 40 chart.

After that, it seems as if Dakota Moon has faded into obscurity. Nothing much has been heard from him since.

To see a fan-made video for "A Promise I Make," go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T2y5xh_-JFg

To see a fan-made video for "Another Day Goes By," go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1-7eHOiON6w

To see a fan-made video for "Looking For a Place to Land," go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O1XfpXep7k0

Samantha Cole

 

Samantha Cole (born on October 31, 1978 from Southhampton, New York) is a female pop singer from the 90s. She took music lessons and performed in bands during her early teen years.

Samantha earned her big break when she appeared on the MTV dance show "The Grind" which later led her to becoming a regular performer at Tatou in New York City.

While at Tatou, she met some executives from EMI Records and she afterwards cut some demos. Within 2 weeks, Samantha signed a record deal with Universal Records.

In 1997, Samantha released her only self-titled album which didn't appear to make the Billboard 200 chart at all.

The first single "Happy With You" peaked at #78 on the Billboard Hot 100, making it her only chart appearance in the United States.

The follow-up singles "Without You" and "You Light Up My Life" were released, but didn't make the charts at all.

In 2004, "Without You" was covered by American Idol singers Kimberley Locke and Clay Aiken which topped the charts in Asia.

In 2001, Samantha was featured on reggae singer Shaggy's song, "Luv Me Luv Me." Janet Jackson's vocals were originally on the track, but they were later re-recorded by Samantha after Janet didn't allow Shaggy to use her vocals on the song.

Even though the song didn't chart in the U.S., it managed to peak at #5 on the U.K. Singles chart. In 2002, Samantha teamed up with Shaggy again for the song, "Bring it To Me" which was featured on the "Dark Angel" television soundtrack.

In 2005, Samantha released a cover version of Animotion's hit song, "Obsession" which became quite successful and gained radio airplay.

Along with performing to sold out crowds, Samantha has also dabbled in modeling and acting. Reportedly, she is working on her second album, "Superwoman."

In 2010, Samantha's compliation album, "The Best of Samantha Cole" was released on Cleopatra Records. The album is available on iTunes.

During that same year, Samantha released cover versions of Roxette's "Listen to Your Heart" and Journey's "Don't Stop Believing which are also available on iTunes. She also married her fiance of 2 years, Anthony Sacchetti.

In 2011, Samantha released her cover version of LeAnn Rimes' song, "How Do I Live" which is also available on iTunes.

To see a video of Samantha performing "Happy With You" live, go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mbESzEMxXqA

To see the music video for "Without You," go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KzzO7nyfcus

To see the music video for "You Light Up My Life," go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ydSehM6gUzM

To see the music video for "Luv Me, Luv Me," go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uvk23jmrIPE

To see a fan-made video for "Obsession," go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EIy_6y5JIQo

Cartouche

Cartouche was a dance group from Belgium that consisted of members Myrelle Tholen and Jean-Paul Visser.

In 1991, the group released their only album "House Music All Night Long" on Scotti Bros. Records. It's unknown how or if the album charted at all.

The first single "Feel the Groove" peaked at #66 on the Billboard Hot 100 in May of 1991, #8 on Billboard's Hot Dance Music\Club Play chart in May of 1991 and #18 on Billboard's Hot Dance Music\Maxi-Single Sales chart.

The song became a hit in France, peaking at #13 on the charts. It was also moderately successful in the U.K., Belgium and on the dance music charts in Canada.

The follow-up single "Let the Music Take Control" peaked at #46 on Billboard's Hot Dance Music\Club Play chart in October of 1991, but didn't appear to chart anywhere else.

Two more singles from the album "Hold On" and "Do Your Thing" were released, but didn't make the charts at all.

In 1993, Cartouche released the single "Shame" which didn't appear to make the music charts in the U.S. or internationally.

In 1994, Cartouche's single "Touch the Sky" was released and it topped the dance music charts in Canada for 6 weeks in mid-1995.

In 1995, Cartouche released the single "Miracles" which peaked at #3 on the dance music charts in Canada.

Cartouche released two more singles: "Feel the Rain" and "Runnin' Up That Hill" before apparently fading into obscurity.

As of 2007, Jean-Paul Visser resides in Holland while Myrelle Tholen runs a street-dance school in Essen, Belgium. She is retired from singing and is married with two children.

To see the music video for "Feel the Groove," go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G-xaL4_cep4

To see the music video for "Let the Music Take Control," go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5r9TV3fk_cA

To see a fan-made video for "Hold On," go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rlDkYVJ79cc

To see a fan-made video for "Do Your Thing," go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YlqoxvfIU3Q

To see the music video for "Shame," go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=341Y5lwxoUI

To see a fan-made video for "Touch the Sky," go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YjAYoCY99Vg

To see a fan-made video for "Miracles," go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dPPr5rZeKYM

To see a fan-made video for "Feel the Rain," go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GOL4z2RCm4U

To see the music video for "Runnin' Up That Hill," go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jIx6phNNwP0

Ericka Yancey

Ericka Yancey (born in 1979 in Grand Rapids, Michigan) is a female R&B singer who was signed to RCA Records in 1996.

Ericka's first single "So Good" peaked at #47 on Billboard's Hot R&B Singles chart, staying on the charts for 12 weeks.

Her follow-up single "Wait a Minute" peaked at #93 on Billboard's Hot R&B Singles chart, staying on the chart for only 3 weeks.

Ericka's self-titled debut album was scheduled for release that year, but due to the two lead singles failing to make the Billboard Hot 100, the album was eventually shelved, but promotional copies of the album were exclusively released on Amazon in 1999 until 2000.

In 1998, Ericka recorded a duet with R&B singer, TQ. From 1999 to 2003, she focused on writing & producing music, and recording background vocals for artists such as Victoria Beckham, Macy Gray, Brownstone, Sheeba Black, Rainman, Kia Shine, and Susan Morabito.

Nothing much was heard from Ericka until 2007 when she signed with an independent record label, and started her official debut studio album.

In 2008, the buzz singles "One Day" and "Sugarcoat" were released on her MySpace page, but they failed to gain any recognition.

Her debut album was supposed to be released in the fourth quarter of 2008, but then it was pushed back to 2009 and then ended up being shelved.

These days, Ericka resides in Los Angeles and appears to be active in the music business according to her Facebook page.

To see the music video for "So Good," go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O6f0-QOpXfw

To see the music video for "Wait a Minute," go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fZl7rPpt6PE