Company B (band)
Encyclopedia
Company B was a Latin freestyle
dance-pop
/Hi-NRG
trio
formed in 1986 by Cuban-American producer
Ish "Angel" Ledesma (Foxy
, Oxo
), featuring members Lori L. (Ledesma), Charlotte McKinnon and Susan (Gonzalez) Johnson. Before the groups self titled Album was released, Charlotte McKinnon left and was replaced by Lezlee Livrano. After the group’s self-titled debut album, Susan Johnson left and was replaced by Sheena. For the group's second album, 1989's Gotta Dance, Sheena and Lezlee Livrano both left the group and were replaced by Donna Huntley and Julie Marie (who also was a rotating performer with Exposé).
s in the late 1980s and early 1990s, most successfully the group Exposé. Company B's first single "Fascinated" was released in 1986 on the independent label The Summer. The song created so much buzz in clubs around Miami that it soon made its way to local radio stations. This in turn led to its being picked up and re-released by Atlantic records. With a much wider distribution due to major label [Atlantic] backing, "Fascinated
" received significant radio
and club airplay in all major cities throughout the U.S. It reached number one on the U.S. Hot Dance Club Play
chart and crossed over to pop radio, peaking at number 21 on the Billboard Hot 100
. Today, it is regarded as a freestyle dance-music classic. The trio was best known for this single, as well as the platinum wigs that were initially a part of the group's image. The single did so well that the group was signed to do a full length album. The album was released in 1987 on Atlantic Records
. Although subsequent releases "Full Circle," "Perfect Lover," and "Signed in Your Book of Love" received club play and led to appearances on such programs as Showtime at the Apollo
, the songs received little airplay on American radio.
In 1989, Company B released its follow-up album Gotta Dance, sporting a revamped image: gone were the platinum wigs. Also seemingly gone were the Latin-flavored rhythms of the previous album. Singles culled from the album included the house-influenced "You Stole My Heart," "Gotta Dance," and a cover
of the Andrews Sisters
song "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy
" (the song that served as inspiration of the group's name). Despite a music video
for "Boogie-Woogie Bugle Boy," the group did not attain the same success as they did with their debut effort. A third album recycled a few songs from the first album, including the track "Jam on Me," which included additional lyrics.
In 2006, Company B regrouped, with original lead vocalist Charlotte McKinnon and other original member Susan (Gonzalez) Johnson, joined by newest member Rachel Leslie. They have been performing extensively over the past few years and have released new material.
Freestyle music
Freestyle or Latin freestyle, sometimes referred to as Latin hip hop, is a form of electronic dance music that emerged in the early 1980s. Mostly popular during the mid 80s to the early 90s...
dance-pop
Dance-pop
Dance-pop is dance-oriented pop music that originated in the early 1980s. Developing from post-disco, it is generally up-tempo music intended for clubs with the intention of being danceable or merely dancey...
/Hi-NRG
Hi-NRG
Hi-NRG describes a form of high-tempo disco music as well as a genre of electronic dance music originating in the United States during the late 1970s...
trio
Trio (music)
Trio is generally used in any of the following ways:* A group of three musicians playing the same or different musical instrument.* The performance of a piece of music by three people.* The contrasting section of a piece in ternary form...
formed in 1986 by Cuban-American 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...
Ish "Angel" Ledesma (Foxy
Foxy (band)
Foxy is a Latin Dance/disco group formed in 1976 in Miami, Florida.The group consisted of vocalist-guitarist Ish "Angel" Ledesma , percussionist Richard "Richie" Puente, keyboardist Charlie Murciano, bass guitarist Arnold Paseiro and drummer Joe Galdo...
, Oxo
OXO (band)
OXO was an American dance rock band created in 1983 by Ish 'Angel' Ledesma, the former lead singer of Foxy He formed OXO with guitarist Orlando Nuñez, bass player Frank Garcia, and drummer Freddy Alwag...
), featuring members Lori L. (Ledesma), Charlotte McKinnon and Susan (Gonzalez) Johnson. Before the groups self titled Album was released, Charlotte McKinnon left and was replaced by Lezlee Livrano. After the group’s self-titled debut album, Susan Johnson left and was replaced by Sheena. For the group's second album, 1989's Gotta Dance, Sheena and Lezlee Livrano both left the group and were replaced by Donna Huntley and Julie Marie (who also was a rotating performer with Exposé).
History
Company B resulted from the music trend of producer-driven girl groupGirl group
A girl group is a popular music act featuring several young female singers who generally harmonise together.Girl groups emerged in the late 1950s as groups of young singers teamed up with behind-the-scenes songwriters and music producers to create hit singles, often featuring glossy production...
s in the late 1980s and early 1990s, most successfully the group Exposé. Company B's first single "Fascinated" was released in 1986 on the independent label The Summer. The song created so much buzz in clubs around Miami that it soon made its way to local radio stations. This in turn led to its being picked up and re-released by Atlantic records. With a much wider distribution due to major label [Atlantic] backing, "Fascinated
Fascinated
"Fascinated" is the title of a hit song by the dance-pop / Hi-NRG / freestyle musical girl group Company B. It was the first single released off their self-titled album in early 1987. It was written and produced by Ish Ledesma and Mixed by Ciro llerenea and Randy Miller and released by Atlantic...
" received significant radio
Radio
Radio is the transmission of signals through free space by modulation of electromagnetic waves with frequencies below those of visible light. Electromagnetic radiation travels by means of oscillating electromagnetic fields that pass through the air and the vacuum of space...
and club airplay in all major cities throughout the U.S. It reached number one on the U.S. 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 and crossed over to pop radio, peaking at number 21 on the Billboard Hot 100
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
. Today, it is regarded as a freestyle dance-music classic. The trio was best known for this single, as well as the platinum wigs that were initially a part of the group's image. The single did so well that the group was signed to do a full length album. The album was released in 1987 on Atlantic Records
Atlantic Records
Atlantic Records is an American record label best known for its many recordings of rhythm and blues, rock and roll, and jazz...
. Although subsequent releases "Full Circle," "Perfect Lover," and "Signed in Your Book of Love" received club play and led to appearances on such programs as Showtime at the Apollo
Showtime at the Apollo
Showtime at the Apollo is a syndicated music television show, first broadcast on September 12, 1987 to May 24, 2008 with 1093 episodes, and is produced by the Apollo Theater...
, the songs received little airplay on American radio.
In 1989, Company B released its follow-up album Gotta Dance, sporting a revamped image: gone were the platinum wigs. Also seemingly gone were the Latin-flavored rhythms of the previous album. Singles culled from the album included the house-influenced "You Stole My Heart," "Gotta Dance," and a cover
Cover version
In popular music, a cover version or cover song, or simply cover, is a new performance or recording of a contemporary or previously recorded, commercially released song or popular song...
of the Andrews Sisters
The Andrews Sisters
The Andrews Sisters were a highly successful close harmony singing group of the swing and boogie-woogie eras. The group consisted of three sisters: contralto LaVerne Sophia Andrews , soprano Maxene Angelyn Andrews , and mezzo-soprano Patricia Marie "Patty" Andrews...
song "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy
Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy
"Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy" was a major hit for The Andrews Sisters and an iconic World War II tune. This song can be considered an early jump blues recording...
" (the song that served as inspiration of the group's name). Despite a music video
Music video
A music video or song video is a short film integrating a song and imagery, produced for promotional or artistic purposes. Modern music videos are primarily made and used as a marketing device intended to promote the sale of music recordings...
for "Boogie-Woogie Bugle Boy," the group did not attain the same success as they did with their debut effort. A third album recycled a few songs from the first album, including the track "Jam on Me," which included additional lyrics.
In 2006, Company B regrouped, with original lead vocalist Charlotte McKinnon and other original member Susan (Gonzalez) Johnson, joined by newest member Rachel Leslie. They have been performing extensively over the past few years and have released new material.
Albums
- Company BCompany B (album)Company B is the debut album by girl-group trio Company B. Released in 1987 on Atlantic Records, the album generated several dance club hits. Group members at the time of the recording consisted of Lori L...
, 1986. U.S. #143 - Gotta Dance, 1989
- 3, 1996
- Jam On Me, 1996
- Irresistible, 1998
Singles
- 1986 "FascinatedFascinated"Fascinated" is the title of a hit song by the dance-pop / Hi-NRG / freestyle musical girl group Company B. It was the first single released off their self-titled album in early 1987. It was written and produced by Ish Ledesma and Mixed by Ciro llerenea and Randy Miller and released by Atlantic...
" (on "The Summer" label) - 1986: "Jam on Me"
- 1987: "FascinatedFascinated"Fascinated" is the title of a hit song by the dance-pop / Hi-NRG / freestyle musical girl group Company B. It was the first single released off their self-titled album in early 1987. It was written and produced by Ish Ledesma and Mixed by Ciro llerenea and Randy Miller and released by Atlantic...
" (#1 U.S. Dance, #21 U.S. Hot 100, #23 Netherlands, #89 UK) - 1987: "Full Circle" (#5 U.S. Dance)
- 1988: "Perfect Lover" (#12 U.S. Dance)
- 1988: "Signed in Your Book of Love" (#9 U.S. Dance)
- 1989: "You Stole My Heart"
- 1989: "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy"
- 1990: "Goddess Of Love"
- 2009: "Soldier Boy"
See also
- List of number-one dance hits (United States)
- List of artists who reached number one on the US Dance chart