Afrodiziak
Encyclopedia
Afrodiziak was the collective name used by the British
singers Caron Wheeler
and Claudia Fontaine
in the mid-to-late 1980s. As a duo, they were best known for performing backup vocals
on Elvis Costello
's 1983 album Punch the Clock
, especially its single, the international hit "Everyday I Write the Book". After the addition of a third member, Naomi Thompson, they went on to sing for acts such as Heaven 17
and Howard Jones
. Heaven 17's 1984 album, How Men Are
, featured them prominently, especially on the singles "Sunset Now" and "And That's No Lie". In 1984 and 1985 they performed on Madness
' albums "Keep Moving
" and "Mad Not Mad
" respectively, also appearing in the video for the Madness
single "Sweetest Girl" . Also in 1985, they performed backing vocals on the first two songs on Howard Jones' second album, Dream Into Action
, both of which ("Things Can Only Get Better" and "Life in One Day") became worldwide hit singles; later that year, they went on tour as part of Jones' band.
Wheeler went on to fame as a featured vocalist in the dance
/R&B
collective Soul II Soul
(she was the lead vocalist on the group's two biggest hits, "Keep on Movin'
" and "Back to Life") and had a brief career as a solo artist. Fontaine continued working as a backing vocalist on albums by EMF
, Neneh Cherry
and Hothouse Flowers
, among others.
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...
singers Caron Wheeler
Caron Wheeler
Caron Wheeler is a two-time Grammy Award winning British R&B/soul singer, who gained fame by writing and singing the lead vocals on the two biggest hits for Soul II Soul Caron Wheeler (19 January 1963) is a two-time Grammy Award winning British R&B/soul singer, who gained fame by writing and...
and Claudia Fontaine
Claudia Fontaine
Claudia Fontaine is a backing vocalist from Bethnal Green, London, England. She has sung with Betty Boo, Dusty Springfield, Claudia Brücken, Julia Fordham and the bands Pink Floyd and The Beatmasters...
in the mid-to-late 1980s. As a duo, they were best known for performing backup vocals
Backing vocalist
A backing vocalist or backing singer is a singer who provides vocal harmony with the lead vocalist or other backing vocalists...
on Elvis Costello
Elvis Costello
Elvis Costello , born Declan Patrick MacManus, is an English singer-songwriter. He came to prominence as an early participant in London's pub rock scene in the mid-1970s and later became associated with the punk/New Wave genre. Steeped in word play, the vocabulary of Costello's lyrics is broader...
's 1983 album Punch the Clock
Punch the Clock
Punch the Clock is an album released in 1983 by Elvis Costello and the Attractions. It was Costello's eighth album, his seventh with the Attractions since 1978. The album featured Costello's first U.S...
, especially its single, the international hit "Everyday I Write the Book". After the addition of a third member, Naomi Thompson, they went on to sing for acts such as Heaven 17
Heaven 17
Heaven 17 are an English synthpop band originating from Sheffield in the early 1980s. The trio comprises Martyn Ware , Ian Craig Marsh and Glenn Gregory...
and Howard Jones
Howard Jones (musician)
Howard Jones is a musician, singer and songwriter. According to the Guinness Book of British Hit Singles & Albums, "Jones is an accomplished singer-songwriter who was a regular chart visitor in the mid 1980s with his brand of synthpop. Jones, who was equally popular in the U.S., appeared at Live...
. Heaven 17's 1984 album, How Men Are
How Men Are
How Men Are is the third album by the English synthpop group Heaven 17, released in September 1984 by Virgin Records. The album peaked at no.12 in the UK and was certified Silver by the BPI in October 1984....
, featured them prominently, especially on the singles "Sunset Now" and "And That's No Lie". In 1984 and 1985 they performed on Madness
Madness (band)
In 1979, the band recorded the Lee Thompson composition "The Prince". The song, like the band's name, paid homage to their idol, Prince Buster. The song was released through 2 Tone Records, the label of The Specials founder Jerry Dammers. The song was a surprise hit, peaking in the UK music charts...
' albums "Keep Moving
Keep Moving
Keep Moving is the fifth album by the British ska band Madness from 1984. It was the last Madness album prior to their 1999 comeback album Wonderful to feature Mike Barson....
" and "Mad Not Mad
Mad Not Mad
Mad Not Mad is the sixth album by the British ska band Madness, released in 1985 . It was their only album not to feature founder member Mike Barson, who had left the group the year before....
" respectively, also appearing in the video for the Madness
Madness (band)
In 1979, the band recorded the Lee Thompson composition "The Prince". The song, like the band's name, paid homage to their idol, Prince Buster. The song was released through 2 Tone Records, the label of The Specials founder Jerry Dammers. The song was a surprise hit, peaking in the UK music charts...
single "Sweetest Girl" . Also in 1985, they performed backing vocals on the first two songs on Howard Jones' second album, Dream Into Action
Dream into Action
Dream into Action is the second album by British pop musician Howard Jones. It was released in March 1985 and reached No.2 in the UK Album Charts...
, both of which ("Things Can Only Get Better" and "Life in One Day") became worldwide hit singles; later that year, they went on tour as part of Jones' band.
Wheeler went on to fame as a featured vocalist in the dance
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...
/R&B
Rhythm and blues
Rhythm and blues, often abbreviated to R&B, is a genre of popular African American music that originated in the 1940s. The term was originally used by record companies to describe recordings marketed predominantly to urban African Americans, at a time when "urbane, rocking, jazz based music with a...
collective Soul II Soul
Soul II Soul
Soul II Soul are a British group that was created in London in 1988. They are best known for their 1989 UK chart-topper and U.S. Top 5 hit, "Back to Life ".-Career:...
(she was the lead vocalist on the group's two biggest hits, "Keep on Movin'
Keep on Movin' (Soul II Soul song)
"Keep on Movin'" is a song by British R&B band Soul II Soul. It was the second single released from their debut album Club Classics Vol. One, after "Fairplay"...
" and "Back to Life") and had a brief career as a solo artist. Fontaine continued working as a backing vocalist on albums by EMF
EMF (band)
EMF were an indie dance band from the United Kingdom. The band, from the Forest of Dean in Gloucestershire, came to prominence at the beginning of the 1990s. During its initial eight year run , EMF had released three studio albums and had gone on hiatus and reformed twice...
, Neneh Cherry
Neneh Cherry
Neneh Mariann Cherry is a Swedish singer-songwriter, rapper, and occasional DJ and broadcaster...
and Hothouse Flowers
Hothouse Flowers
The Hothouse Flowers are an Irish rock group that combines traditional Irish music with influences from soul, gospel and rock.-Career:The group first formed in 1985 when Liam Ó Maonlaí and Fiachna Ó Braonáin began performing as street musicians, or buskers, on the streets of Dublin,Ireland as "The...
, among others.