Raw Stylus
Encyclopedia
Raw Stylus was a London
-based dance music
outfit
whose core members were Donna Gardier, Jules Brookes and Ron Aslan. In 1995 they released the single
, "Believe In Me", which reached #1 on the U.S.
Hot Dance Club Play
chart
. It was a minor success in the United Kingdom
reaching #66 on the UK Singles Chart
in October 1996. Originally, Raw Stylus released white label
vinyl records
into the London club
scene in the early 1990s. "Pushing Against the Flow" was a popular underground song, and later became the title track of their album
. Early singles included "Bright Lights, Big Cities", "Pushing Against the Flow", "Many Ways (Mo' Wax)" and "Use Me (Acid Jazz)".
After original singer Deborah French left it took a couple of years to find a replacement. The album was recorded
Stateside
, with Steely Dan
record producer
Gary Katz
and an array of musician
s including cameos from Donald Fagen
and Bernard Purdie
. The group toured as a nine piece until they split at the end of 1999. Brookes went on to become Managing Director at the award winning Point Blank Music College
based in Hoxton
, London.
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
-based dance music
Dance music
Dance music is music composed specifically to facilitate or accompany dancing. It can be either a whole musical piece or part of a larger musical arrangement...
outfit
Musical ensemble
A musical ensemble is a group of people who perform instrumental or vocal music. In classical music, trios or quartets either blend the sounds of musical instrument families or group together instruments from the same instrument family, such as string ensembles or wind ensembles...
whose core members were Donna Gardier, Jules Brookes and Ron Aslan. In 1995 they released the single
Single (music)
In music, a single or record single is a type of release, typically a recording of fewer tracks than an LP or a CD. This can be released for sale to the public in a variety of different formats. In most cases, the single is a song that is released separately from an album, but it can still appear...
, "Believe In Me", which reached #1 on the U.S.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
Hot Dance Club Play
Hot Dance Club Play
The Hot Dance Club Songs chart is a weekly national survey of the songs that are most popular in U.S. dance clubs...
chart
Record chart
A record chart is a ranking of recorded music according to popularity during a given period of time. Examples of music charts are the Hit parade, Hot 100 or Top 40....
. It was a minor success in the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
reaching #66 on the UK Singles Chart
UK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
in October 1996. Originally, Raw Stylus released white label
White label
White label records are vinyl records with adhesive plain white labels affixed. Test pressings, usually with Test Pressing written on the label, with catalogue number, artist and recording time or date, are produced in small quantities to evaluate the quality of the disc production...
vinyl records
Gramophone record
A gramophone record, commonly known as a phonograph record , vinyl record , or colloquially, a record, is an analog sound storage medium consisting of a flat disc with an inscribed, modulated spiral groove...
into the London club
Nightclub
A nightclub is an entertainment venue which usually operates late into the night...
scene in the early 1990s. "Pushing Against the Flow" was a popular underground song, and later became the title track of their album
Album
An album is a collection of recordings, released as a single package on gramophone record, cassette, compact disc, or via digital distribution. The word derives from the Latin word for list .Vinyl LP records have two sides, each comprising one half of the album...
. Early singles included "Bright Lights, Big Cities", "Pushing Against the Flow", "Many Ways (Mo' Wax)" and "Use Me (Acid Jazz)".
After original singer Deborah French left it took a couple of years to find a replacement. The album was recorded
Sound recording and reproduction
Sound recording and reproduction is an electrical or mechanical inscription and re-creation of sound waves, such as spoken voice, singing, instrumental music, or sound effects. The two main classes of sound recording technology are analog recording and digital recording...
Stateside
Stateside
Stateside may refer to:* stateside, a slang term for the United States, usually used concerning an American currently outside the country, particularly in a military context* Stateside Records, the British record label...
, with Steely Dan
Steely Dan
Steely Dan is an American rock band; its core members are Donald Fagen and Walter Becker. The band's popularity peaked in the late 1970s, with the release of seven albums blending elements of jazz, rock, funk, R&B, and pop...
record producer
Record producer
A record producer is an individual working within the music industry, whose job is to oversee and manage the recording of an artist's music...
Gary Katz
Gary Katz
Gary Katz is an American music producer, best known for his work with Steely Dan.-Steely Dan:Katz is most famous for his work as a producer on every Steely Dan album recorded during the first run of their career, from Can't Buy A Thrill in 1972 to Gaucho in 1980, as well as the Donald Fagen solo...
and an array of musician
Musician
A musician is an artist who plays a musical instrument. It may or may not be the person's profession. Musicians can be classified by their roles in performing music and writing music.Also....* A person who makes music a profession....
s including cameos from Donald Fagen
Donald Fagen
Donald Jay Fagen is an American musician and songwriter, best known as the co-founder, lead singer, and the principal songwriter of the rock band Steely Dan ....
and Bernard Purdie
Bernard Purdie
Bernard Lee "Pretty" Purdie is an American session drummer, and is considered an influential and innovative exponent of funk...
. The group toured as a nine piece until they split at the end of 1999. Brookes went on to become Managing Director at the award winning Point Blank Music College
Point Blank Music College
Point Blank is a music and creative media school founded in 1994 by musician and producer Robert Cowan. It offers courses in Electronic Music production, DJing, Singing & Songwriting, and Audio Engineering at its premises in Hoxton, North London...
based in Hoxton
Hoxton
Hoxton is an area in the London Borough of Hackney, immediately north of the financial district of the City of London. The area of Hoxton is bordered by Regent's Canal on the north side, Wharf Road and City Road on the west, Old Street on the south, and Kingsland Road on the east.Hoxton is also a...
, London.
See also
- List of number-one dance hits (United States)
- List of artists who reached number one on the US Dance chart