Young Disciples
Encyclopedia
Young Disciples was a British
/ American
acid jazz
band
, formed in London
in 1990 by Carleen Anderson
(vocals and keyboards
), Marc Nelson (bass
, guitar
and organ
) plus Femi Williams (percussion and programming).
Their most famous hit
was the single
, "Apparently Nothin'" (Talkin' Loud, 1991), which helped launch Anderson's solo
career when the band split up.
born Anderson and her young son, Bobby Anderson, relocated to London, and met with Nelson. They signed to Talkin' Loud Records and released their first single "Get Yourself Together". It reached #68 in the UK Singles Chart
in October 1990. This was followed by "Apparently Nothin'", which became a #13 UK hit and brought them to national attention. An album
followed, Road to Freedom
(1991), and prompted their record label
to cash in on their by releasing a remix
ed version of "Get Yourself Together".
In 1992, the group appeared on the Red Hot Organization
's dance compilation album
, Red Hot + Dance
, contributing an original track, "Apparently Nothing (The Re-Rub)." The album attempted to raise awareness and money in support of the AIDS epidemic, and all proceeds were donated to AIDS charities.
The group were part of the burgeoning acid jazz
scene, according to the book The Techno Primer setting "the tone for this movement", but also maintained links with the British hip hop
genre, with many up and coming rappers of the day recording
with them - MC Mell'O'
, Outlaw Posse
and Masta Ace
all guested on tracks over their career. The group also remixed tracks for other artists, although in reality this was usually either Nelson or Williams or both.
The Road to Freedom album was recorded at Solid Bond Studios (Paul Weller's personal studio) with guests Fred Wesley, Maceo Parker, Mick Talbot
, Paul Weller, Steve White, Max Beesley, and IG Culture. It reached #21 on the UK Albums Chart
.
Anderson left the group in 1992, using the success of "Apparently Nothin'" to earn herself a solo recording contract with the larger Virgin Records
company. Following this, the group disbanded, although the name was still used for remix production for many years. Nelson and Williams continued to work behind the scenes in the music industry.
In 1999, a new version of "Apparently Nothin'" was released with Carleen Anderson and The Brand New Heavies.
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...
/ American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
acid jazz
Acid jazz
Acid jazz is a musical genre that combines elements of jazz, funk and hip-hop, particularly looped beats. It developed in the UK over the 1980s and 1990s and could be seen as tacking the sound of jazz-funk onto electronic dance: jazz-funk musicians such as Roy Ayers, Donald Byrd and Grant Green are...
band
Band (music)
In music, a musical ensemble or band is a group of musicians that works together to perform music. The following articles concern types of musical bands:* All-female band* Big band* Boy band* Christian band* Church band* Concert band* Cover band...
, formed in 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...
in 1990 by Carleen Anderson
Carleen Anderson
Carleen Anderson is an American soul singer, who has had success in the United Kingdom. She is the daughter of the singer Vicki Anderson and stepdaughter of Bobby Byrd, and is most well known as the lead singer in the Young Disciples as well as for her own solo career.-Early career:Anderson was...
(vocals and keyboards
Keyboard instrument
A keyboard instrument is a musical instrument which is played using a musical keyboard. The most common of these is the piano. Other widely used keyboard instruments include organs of various types as well as other mechanical, electromechanical and electronic instruments...
), Marc Nelson (bass
Bass guitar
The bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
, guitar
Guitar
The guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
and organ
Keyboard instrument
A keyboard instrument is a musical instrument which is played using a musical keyboard. The most common of these is the piano. Other widely used keyboard instruments include organs of various types as well as other mechanical, electromechanical and electronic instruments...
) plus Femi Williams (percussion and programming).
Their most famous hit
Hit record
A hit record is a sound recording, usually in the form of a single or album, that sells a large number of copies or otherwise becomes broadly popular or well-known, through airplay, club play, inclusion in a film or stage play soundtrack, causing it to have "hit" one of the popular chart listings...
was 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...
, "Apparently Nothin'" (Talkin' Loud, 1991), which helped launch Anderson's solo
Solo (music)
In music, a solo is a piece or a section of a piece played or sung by a single performer...
career when the band split up.
History
The group formed in July 1990 after the AmericanUnited States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
born Anderson and her young son, Bobby Anderson, relocated to London, and met with Nelson. They signed to Talkin' Loud Records and released their first single "Get Yourself Together". It reached #68 in 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 1990. This was followed by "Apparently Nothin'", which became a #13 UK hit and brought them to national attention. An 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...
followed, Road to Freedom
Road to Freedom (album)
Road to Freedom is the debut album of soul and jazz band Young Disciples, the only album the band ever released. Issued in 1991 on the Talkin' Loud label in the UK and on Polygram in the US, the critically well-received album was influential in the music genres of acid jazz and neo soul...
(1991), and prompted their record label
Record label
In the music industry, a record label is a brand and a trademark associated with the marketing of music recordings and music videos. Most commonly, a record label is the company that manages such brands and trademarks, coordinates the production, manufacture, distribution, marketing and promotion,...
to cash in on their by releasing a remix
Remix
A remix is an alternative version of a recorded song, made from an original version. This term is also used for any alterations of media other than song ....
ed version of "Get Yourself Together".
In 1992, the group appeared on the Red Hot Organization
Red Hot Organization
Red Hot Organization is a not-for-profit, 501 3, international organization dedicated to fighting AIDS through pop culture.Since its inception in 1989, over 400 artists, producers and directors have contributed to over 15 compilation albums, related television programs and media events to raise...
's dance compilation album
Compilation album
A compilation album is an album featuring tracks from one or more performers, often culled from a variety of sources The tracks are usually collected according to a common characteristic, such as popularity, genre, source or subject matter...
, Red Hot + Dance
Red Hot + Dance
Red Hot + Dance is an album produced by the Red Hot Organization, an organization dedicated to raising money and awareness to fight the onslaught of HIV/AIDS....
, contributing an original track, "Apparently Nothing (The Re-Rub)." The album attempted to raise awareness and money in support of the AIDS epidemic, and all proceeds were donated to AIDS charities.
The group were part of the burgeoning acid jazz
Acid jazz
Acid jazz is a musical genre that combines elements of jazz, funk and hip-hop, particularly looped beats. It developed in the UK over the 1980s and 1990s and could be seen as tacking the sound of jazz-funk onto electronic dance: jazz-funk musicians such as Roy Ayers, Donald Byrd and Grant Green are...
scene, according to the book The Techno Primer setting "the tone for this movement", but also maintained links with the British hip hop
British hip hop
British hip hop is a genre of music, and a culture that covers a variety of styles of hip hop music made in the United Kingdom. It is generally classified as one of a number of styles of urban music...
genre, with many up and coming rappers of the day recording
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...
with them - MC Mell'O'
MC Mell'O'
MC Mell'O comes from Battersea in south London, and was originally known for his bodypopping skills rather than his rapping, going under the tag Moomin...
, Outlaw Posse
Outlaw Posse
Outlaw Posse was a British hip hop group formed by Bello B and K-Gee . They also recorded together as Outlaw and Brothers Like Outlaw, before the group finally split in 1992.-Biography:...
and Masta Ace
Masta Ace
Duval Clear , known better by his stage name Masta Ace, is a rapper from Brownsville, Brooklyn. He appeared on the classic 1988 Juice Crew posse cut "The Symphony"...
all guested on tracks over their career. The group also remixed tracks for other artists, although in reality this was usually either Nelson or Williams or both.
The Road to Freedom album was recorded at Solid Bond Studios (Paul Weller's personal studio) with guests Fred Wesley, Maceo Parker, Mick Talbot
Mick Talbot
Michael 'Mick' Talbot is a British keyboardist. He played with the late 1970s mod revivalists The Merton Parkas; Dexys Midnight Runners; The Bureau, and later with Paul Weller in The Style Council....
, Paul Weller, Steve White, Max Beesley, and IG Culture. It reached #21 on the UK Albums Chart
UK Albums Chart
The UK Albums Chart is a list of albums ranked by physical and digital sales in the United Kingdom. It is compiled every week by The Official Charts Company and broadcast on a Sunday on BBC Radio 1 , and published in Music Week magazine and on the OCC website .To qualify for the UK albums chart...
.
Anderson left the group in 1992, using the success of "Apparently Nothin'" to earn herself a solo recording contract with the larger Virgin Records
Virgin Records
Virgin Records is a British record label founded by English entrepreneur Richard Branson, Simon Draper, and Nik Powell in 1972. The company grew to be a worldwide music phenomenon, with platinum performers such as Roy Orbison, Devo, Genesis, Keith Richards, Janet Jackson, Culture Club, Lenny...
company. Following this, the group disbanded, although the name was still used for remix production for many years. Nelson and Williams continued to work behind the scenes in the music industry.
In 1999, a new version of "Apparently Nothin'" was released with Carleen Anderson and The Brand New Heavies.
Singles and EPs
- "Get Yourself Together" (1990) - UKUK Singles ChartThe 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 ...
#68 - "Apparently Nothin'" (1991) - UK #13
- "Get Yourself Together" (re-issue) (1991) - UK #65
- "Young Disciples" (EPExtended playAn EP is a musical recording which contains more music than a single, but is too short to qualify as a full album or LP. The term EP originally referred only to specific types of vinyl records other than 78 rpm standard play records and LP records, but it is now applied to mid-length Compact...
) (1992) - UK #48
External links
- Young Disciples at DiscogsDiscogsDiscogs, short for discographies, is a website and database of information about audio recordings, including commercial releases, promotional releases, and bootleg or off-label releases. The Discogs servers, currently hosted under the domain name discogs.com, are owned by Zink Media, Inc., and are...
- Carleen Anderson's website
- VH1's Young Disciples page