Fascination Records
Encyclopedia
Fascination Records is a UK
-based record label, owned by Universal Music Group
, and operated as an imprint of Polydor Records
. The label was launched in spring 2006, and is managed by former TOTP Magazine
editor Peter Loraine. It concentrates on a relatively small number of pop
acts and will complement the re-activated Fiction
rock imprint.
A five piece girl group, The Saturdays consist of Frankie Sandford
and Rochelle Wiseman
, formerly of S Club 8
, along with Mollie King
, Una Healy
and Vanessa White
. They have supported Girls Aloud
on the tour for their Tangled Up album
and fellow labelmates Jonas Brothers at one of their recent live dates in London. Their first single, "If This Is Love
" was released on 28 July 2008 and peaked at no. 8 in the UK singles chart. The follow-up single, "Up
" was released on 13 October 2008 and peaked at no. 5 in the UK singles chart. Up has become their best selling single, shifting over 311,000 copies. The debut album, titled Chasing Lights
was released on 27 October 2008 and received very favourable reviews from The Times
and The Guardian
. The album debuted at no. 9 in the UK. In January 2009, The Saturdays released their third single "Issues". "Issues" peaked at no. 4 in the charts after initially debuting at no. 6. The same month Chasing Lights climbed the album charts to its new peak of no. 9. In January 2009, the group's website announced the release of their fourth single, a cover of the Depeche Mode
song "Just Can't Get Enough" as one of the official Comic Relief 2009 singles. It peaked at no. 2 marking this as one of their highest charting single. From here, the band embarked on their own headlining tour - "The Work Tour", which coincided with the release of their 5th single "Work
". "Work" peaked at no. 22. The band then released their 6th single "Forever Is Over
", which peaked at no. 2, equaling the success of "Just Can't Get Enough". A week later "Wordshaker
" was released, peaking at no. 9. They went onto release "Ego
" which also peaked at no. 9, however becoming their 2nd best selling single, with over 307,000 sales. The band released their 8th single "Missing You
" which charted at Number Three and a mini-album Headlines which became their highest peaking album to date reaching Number Three, beating the success of both début album Chasing Lights
and second album Wordshaker
. The Saturdays then went on to release their 9th single "Higher
" which unofficially peaked at number one in the mid-week charts however slipped back down to number 10. The Saturdays then embarked on their second sell out UK national tour in February 2011 where information of their fourth studio album, tenth single and third tour were announced to fans.
Girls Aloud
Having become the first all-girl group ever to score 20 consecutive Top 10 hits with their first set of releases (as part of Polydor), taking the record from Destiny's Child
who had 11 to their name, Girls Aloud are one of the most successful girls bands in the Uk with all albums being certified platinum and having 4 number one singles. Girls Aloud moved to Fascination for the release of their greatest hits album The Sound of Girls Aloud
which went triple platinum and selling over millon copies in the UK, and its preceding singles "Something Kinda Ooooh
" (no. 3), "I Think We're Alone Now" (no. 4) and non album/Comic Relief
single "Walk This Way
" with Sugababes
(no. 1). Their 4th studio album, Tangled Up
was released on this label on 19 November 2007, and featured their 16th single, "Sexy! No, No, No..." (which reached no. 5), their 17th single, "Call the Shots
", (which reached no. 3) and their 18th single, "Can't Speak French
", (which reached no. 9). The girls' 5th studio album Out Of Control
, and 6th overall, will be released via this label on 10 November 2008, and was preceded by their 19th single "The Promise
", which was released on 20 October 2008. It entered at no. 1 on the UK singles charts, making it Girls Aloud's 19th consecutive top 10 hit and 4th no. 1 of their career. The second single from the album, "The Loving Kind
" (co-written with the Pet Shop Boys
) became their 20th consecutive top 10 hit upon its release in January 2009, and the final single, "Untouchable
" was released on 27 April 2009 and became the group's first single to not reach the top ten in the UK, instead peaking at no. 11. They are currently on hiatus.
Kimberley Walsh
Later after she confirmed she has collaborated with Aggro Santos
on his new single, "Like U Like
", she announced that she would also release a solo album under the label of Fascination.
Sophie Ellis-Bextor
Shooting to fame as the singer of Spiller
's "Groovejet (If This Ain't Love)
", Sophie went on to score a string of Top 10 singles. Her multi-platinum album Read My Lips peaked straightly to the UK Top and was a success throughout many European Countries and Australia. After the release of her second album, Shoot from the Hip
, Sophie took a break from music to have a baby and to marry Richard Jones
from The Feeling
. She finished her third solo album in 2007 with the Fascination team, which was released on 21 May 2007. It is entitled Trip the Light Fantastic with the first single from it being "Catch You
", released on 19 February 2007, becoming her 7th Top 10 Hit. Also, she released "Me and My Imagination
", the second single from her 3rd album, reaching the UK Top 40 again. Her third single released by Fascination was considered a flop, however. The album debuted inside the Top 10 in the first week of its release in the United Kingdom
, and was certified as Gold a year later. Her collaboration with dance producers Freemasons on the track Heartbreak (Make Me A Dancer) returned her to the UK top 20 in July 2009, and in May 2010, Bittersweet
, the first single from Sophie's fourth album Make A Scene was released and gave her another top 30 hit, peaking at #26. She also embarked on her first UK tour in nearly 8 years during December of that year.
Alphabeat
After scoring three UK top 20 hits in 2008 from their debut UK top 10 album Alphabeat, the Danish outfit signed a new UK record deal with Fascination in 2009 for the release of their second album. The Spell
, retitled The Beat Is... for UK release, produced two UK top 30 hits: "The Spell
", which reached #20 in October 2009, and "Hole in My Heart", which reached #29 in February 2010. The third single from the album, "DJ
", however, failed to chart at all. Under Fascination, Alphabeat also completed two UK tours in 2009/2010.
Jonas Brothers
Fascination are releasing the UK singles and albums for the three piece American pop rock group. Their debut UK single, "SOS
" was released in June 2008 and peaked inside the UK top 20 at no. 14. Their self titled debut UK album was also released in this month and reached the UK top 10 album chart at no. 9. Their second UK single release is the double-a-side "Burnin' Up
"/"When You Look Me in the Eyes
". The single was released on 22 September 2008 and peaked at no. 30, followed a week later on 29 September 2008 by their new album A Little Bit Longer
which peaked at UK no. 19 in the album chart.
Miley Cyrus
The Hannah Montana
star released her debut album Breakout in the UK with Fascination in 2008. On the 9th November 2009 she released her new album The Time of Our Lives
, with the lead single being "Party in the USA".
Demi Lovato
The Camp Rock
star is releasing her music in the UK with Fascination. Her first UK release was "La La Land
" from Don't Forget
, it peaked at 36 on the UK Top 40. She released her second album on the 5th October 2009 called Here We Go Again.
Selena Gomez & the Scene
The multi-talented star's band released their hit single "Naturally
" on April 12, 2010 and their album Kiss & Tell
the following week , the single debuted and peaked at 7 on the UK Top 40 and the album at no. 12.
The winner of the BBC1 show How Do You Solve A Problem Like Maria?
released her debut album Favourite Things on Fascination on October 9, 2006. Her debut album peaked no. 14 on the UK Albums Chart
.
Lee Mead
As with Connie, Lee, the winner of BBC1's Any Dream Will Do
has been signed to this label. His debut single of the same name entered on downloads at no. 18 before peaking at no. 2 the following week behind "Umbrella
" by Rihanna
feat. Jay Z. Fascination also released his self titled debut album in November 2007, which peaked inside the Top 20 of the UK Albums Chart, and his two download only singles "Gonna Make You A Star" and "You and Me".
Dirty Diegos
Fascination announced on their website on 8 October 2008 that they have recently signed the fictional band who feature in Channel 4
soap Hollyoaks
. Their official MySpace was launched on 23 October 2008 and has a 60 second preview of their debut single, "Play", which will be released digitally on 23 November 2008 in the UK.
The soundtrack to the film version of the Abba
musical was released through Fascination in July 2008. The cast's cover of "Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! (A Man After Midnight)
" was released digitally as a single in July 2008.
Britannia High
Fascination in collaboration with Globe (the TV production arm of Universal Music Group) and ITV1
released the soundtrack to this new Fame
-style TV series, that went to air in the UK on 26 October 2008. The first single and theme tune to the series, "Start of Something", which has been written by Take That
star Gary Barlow
is available to download for free from the official programme website.
Skins:
The soundtrack to the Channel 4
drama series was released on this label in September 2007.
St. Trinians
The soundtrack to this film (which featured the label's own Girls Aloud singing the theme from the film) was released through Fascination in December 2007. Fascination also released the soundtrack for its 2009 sequel, St. Trinian's 2: The Legend of Fritton's Gold, which featured contributions from Fascination artists such as The Saturdays and Girls Aloud's Sarah Harding
and five new songs produced by Xenomania
from The "Banned" of St. Trinian's - who released their debut and only single, Up & Away for digital download on 30 November 2009.
The Popjustice
compilation album, Popjustice: 100% Solid Pop Music, has also been released on this label.
The German punk pop band released their debut UK single "Ready, Set, Go!" under the label on 27 August 2007 but could only reach no. 77, and were dropped from their label in April 2008.
Paul Steel
Singer songwriter Paul Steel was touted by the Sunday Times as one to watch. He released a debut, 10 track EP entitled April And I in March 2007 and released debut single "Your Loss" on 3 September, which failed to chart. Debut album 'Moon Rock' and the follow-up single 'I Will Make You Disappear' were cancelled for release and he was dropped in April 2008.
Girls Can't Catch
Girls Can't Catch are the newest artists to join Fascination Records. They have released a song, "Keep Your Head Up", on August 3, 2009, and peaked at no. 26 on the UK Singles Chart
, their second single "Echo
" peaked in the top 20. It was reported on 12 July 2010 that the band had been dropped by their record label.
Bananarama have signed a deal for a new album titled Viva
. Viva is the tenth studio album recorded by the British vocal duo Bananarama. It was released by Fascination Records on 14 September 2009 in the UK. It contains the singles "Love Comes", "Love Don't Live Here" and other new tracks co-written by Dallin and Woodward, as well as 3 cover versions – "Rapture" (originally by iiO), "The Runner" (originally a 1979 hit for The Three Degrees) and "S-S-S-Single Bed"" (originally by Fox).
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...
-based record label, owned by Universal Music Group
Universal Music Group
Universal Music Group is an American music group, the largest of the "big four" record companies by its commanding market share and its multitude of global operations...
, and operated as an imprint of Polydor Records
Polydor Records
Polydor is a record label owned by Universal Music Group, headquartered in the United Kingdom.-Beginnings:Polydor was originally an independent branch of the Deutsche Grammophon Gesellschaft. Its name was first used as an export label in 1924, the British and German branches of the Gramophone...
. The label was launched in spring 2006, and is managed by former TOTP Magazine
Top of the Pops (magazine)
Top of the Pops magazine is a monthly publication published by BBC Magazines. It features chart information, star gossip, fashion and beauty advice, quizzes, song lyrics and posters. It is a supplementary magazine for the TV show Top of the Pops....
editor Peter Loraine. It concentrates on a relatively small number of pop
Pop music
Pop music is usually understood to be commercially recorded music, often oriented toward a youth market, usually consisting of relatively short, simple songs utilizing technological innovations to produce new variations on existing themes.- Definitions :David Hatch and Stephen Millward define pop...
acts and will complement the re-activated Fiction
Fiction Records
Fiction Records is a UK label founded by Chris Parry in 1978 that is best known for being the home of The Cure for over 20 years. Formerly independent, the label is now owned by Polydor, a subsidiary of Universal Music Group.-History:...
rock imprint.
Pre-established artists
The SaturdaysThe Saturdays
The Saturdays are a British and Irish pop girl group based in London, United Kingdom. The group consists of five members Una Healy, Mollie King, Frankie Sandford, Vanessa White and Rochelle Wiseman. In 2007 the band were formed through Fascination Records which gave them an instant record deal with...
A five piece girl group, The Saturdays consist of Frankie Sandford
Frankie Sandford
Francesca "Frankie" Sandford is an English pop and R&B singer-songwriter and currently a member of girl group The Saturdays; under the record label of Fascination Records and Polydor Records. The band have had huge success, releasing eleven singles of which ten have charted inside the top 10 on...
and Rochelle Wiseman
Rochelle Wiseman
Rochelle Eulah Eileen Wiseman is an English singer, actress and television presenter. She is best known for her work in pop groups S Club 8 and The Saturdays...
, formerly of S Club 8
S Club 8
S Club 8, previously known as S Club Juniors, was a spin-off of the UK pop group S Club 7. The group's members, Jay Asforis, Daisy Evans, Calvin Goldspink, Stacey McClean, Aaron Renfree, Hannah Richings, Rochelle Wiseman and Frankie Sandford, were all in their early teens or younger when they were...
, along with Mollie King
Mollie King
Mollie Elizabeth King is an English singer-songwriter. She is best known for being a member of girl group, The Saturdays. In the band, King has successfully enjoyed ten top-ten and five top-five singles on the UK Singles Chart and three top-ten albums on the UK Albums Chart...
, Una Healy
Una Healy
Una Theresa Imogene Healy is an Irish singer-songwriter and musician, best known for being one fifth of girl group The Saturdays...
and Vanessa White
Vanessa White
Vanessa Karen White is an English pop singer and songwriter. White was born to a Nigerian father and Spanish-Filipino mother. She rose to fame in 2008 as a member of English/Irish girl-group The Saturdays. She is the youngest member of the band. White is noted for her extensive vocal range.-Early...
. They have supported Girls Aloud
Girls Aloud
Girls Aloud are a British and Irish pop girl group based in London. They were created through the ITV1 talent show Popstars The Rivals in 2002. The group consists of Cheryl Cole , Nadine Coyle, Sarah Harding, Nicola Roberts and Kimberley Walsh. They are signed to Fascination Records, a Polydor...
on the tour for their Tangled Up album
Tangled Up Tour
The Tangled Up Tour was the fourth concert tour third arena tour, by British pop group Girls Aloud, in support of the group's fourth studio album Tangled Up. The tour was initially announced to reach arenas across the United Kingdom in November 2007. The shows commenced in Belfast on 3 May 2008 and...
and fellow labelmates Jonas Brothers at one of their recent live dates in London. Their first single, "If This Is Love
If This Is Love
"If This Is Love" is a song performed by British-Irish recording girl group The Saturdays from their debut studio album, Chasing Lights . It was co-written by Joe Belmaati, Michaela Breen, Vince Clarke, Mich Hansen, Alison Moyet, John Reid, Remee and Ina Wroldsen. The song was produced by Belmaati...
" was released on 28 July 2008 and peaked at no. 8 in the UK singles chart. The follow-up single, "Up
Up (The Saturdays song)
"Up" is a song performed by British-Irish recording girl group The Saturdays from their debut studio album, Chasing Lights . It was co-written by the track's producers, Josef Larossi and Andreas Romdhane of Quiz & Larossi, in collaboration with Ina Wroldsen...
" was released on 13 October 2008 and peaked at no. 5 in the UK singles chart. Up has become their best selling single, shifting over 311,000 copies. The debut album, titled Chasing Lights
Chasing Lights
Chasing Lights is the debut album by British-Irish girl group The Saturdays, released on 27 October 2008 by Fascination Records. The album was re-issued on 16 March 2009 to include their cover of Depeche Mode's 1981 song "Just Can't Get Enough"....
was released on 27 October 2008 and received very favourable reviews from The Times
The Times
The Times is a British daily national newspaper, first published in London in 1785 under the title The Daily Universal Register . The Times and its sister paper The Sunday Times are published by Times Newspapers Limited, a subsidiary since 1981 of News International...
and The Guardian
The Guardian
The Guardian, formerly known as The Manchester Guardian , is a British national daily newspaper in the Berliner format...
. The album debuted at no. 9 in the UK. In January 2009, The Saturdays released their third single "Issues". "Issues" peaked at no. 4 in the charts after initially debuting at no. 6. The same month Chasing Lights climbed the album charts to its new peak of no. 9. In January 2009, the group's website announced the release of their fourth single, a cover of the Depeche Mode
Depeche Mode
Depeche Mode are an English electronic music band formed in 1980 in Basildon, Essex. The group's original line-up consisted of Dave Gahan , Martin Gore , Andy Fletcher and Vince Clarke...
song "Just Can't Get Enough" as one of the official Comic Relief 2009 singles. It peaked at no. 2 marking this as one of their highest charting single. From here, the band embarked on their own headlining tour - "The Work Tour", which coincided with the release of their 5th single "Work
Work (The Saturdays song)
"Work" is the fifth single from British-Irish girl group The Saturdays. The pop song was written by Ina Wroldsen, Harry Sommerdahl and Kalle Engström. "Work" was released as the final single from the group's debut album, Chasing Lights...
". "Work" peaked at no. 22. The band then released their 6th single "Forever Is Over
Forever Is Over
"Forever Is Over" is a single by British-Irish girl group The Saturdays. The track was released by digital download on October 3, 2009, and CD single the following day. The song was written by, Louis Biancaniello, Sam Watters, James Bourne and produced by The Runaways...
", which peaked at no. 2, equaling the success of "Just Can't Get Enough". A week later "Wordshaker
Wordshaker
"Wordshaker" generated generally favorable reviews amongst critics upon its release. Allmusic's Matthew Chisling awarded the album three out of five stars, praising the girls and the album for "combining aggressive basslines and vocals that are a pinch of prowess". Chisling's praised tracks like...
" was released, peaking at no. 9. They went onto release "Ego
Ego (The Saturdays song)
"Ego" is the second official single from girl group The Saturdays' second studio album, Wordshaker, and their seventh single overall. The song is a strong electropop song. The song was written by Steve Mac and co-written by Ins Wrolsen and Rhys Barker, who has previously worked on the bands...
" which also peaked at no. 9, however becoming their 2nd best selling single, with over 307,000 sales. The band released their 8th single "Missing You
Missing You (The Saturdays song)
"Missing You" is a song performed by British-Irish girl group The Saturdays, taken from their first mini album, Headlines!. Written by Alexander Kronlund and Lukas Hilbert with production from Hilbert and James Reynolds, the song was released as the collection's lead single on 5 August as a digital...
" which charted at Number Three and a mini-album Headlines which became their highest peaking album to date reaching Number Three, beating the success of both début album Chasing Lights
Chasing Lights
Chasing Lights is the debut album by British-Irish girl group The Saturdays, released on 27 October 2008 by Fascination Records. The album was re-issued on 16 March 2009 to include their cover of Depeche Mode's 1981 song "Just Can't Get Enough"....
and second album Wordshaker
Wordshaker
"Wordshaker" generated generally favorable reviews amongst critics upon its release. Allmusic's Matthew Chisling awarded the album three out of five stars, praising the girls and the album for "combining aggressive basslines and vocals that are a pinch of prowess". Chisling's praised tracks like...
. The Saturdays then went on to release their 9th single "Higher
Higher (The Saturdays song)
"Higher" is the award winning song performed by British-Irish girl group The Saturdays taken from their mini-album, Headlines!. Written by Ina Wroldsen and co-written & produced by Arnthor Birgisson, the song confirmed to be the mini-album's second single when it was released on 1 November 2010 by...
" which unofficially peaked at number one in the mid-week charts however slipped back down to number 10. The Saturdays then embarked on their second sell out UK national tour in February 2011 where information of their fourth studio album, tenth single and third tour were announced to fans.
Girls Aloud
Girls Aloud
Girls Aloud are a British and Irish pop girl group based in London. They were created through the ITV1 talent show Popstars The Rivals in 2002. The group consists of Cheryl Cole , Nadine Coyle, Sarah Harding, Nicola Roberts and Kimberley Walsh. They are signed to Fascination Records, a Polydor...
Having become the first all-girl group ever to score 20 consecutive Top 10 hits with their first set of releases (as part of Polydor), taking the record from Destiny's Child
Destiny's Child
Destiny's Child was an American R&B girl group whose final line-up comprised lead singer Beyoncé Knowles alongside Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams. Formed in 1997 in Houston, Texas, Destiny's Child members began their musical endeavors in their pre-teens under the name Girl's Tyme...
who had 11 to their name, Girls Aloud are one of the most successful girls bands in the Uk with all albums being certified platinum and having 4 number one singles. Girls Aloud moved to Fascination for the release of their greatest hits album The Sound of Girls Aloud
The Sound of Girls Aloud
The Sound of Girls Aloud: The Greatest Hits is the first greatest hits anthology by British and Irish all-female pop group Girls Aloud. It was released in the United Kingdom on 30 October 2006 and entered the UK Albums Chart at number one, making it Girls Aloud's first number one album. As of...
which went triple platinum and selling over millon copies in the UK, and its preceding singles "Something Kinda Ooooh
Something Kinda Ooooh
"Something Kinda Ooooh" is a song by British all-female pop group Girls Aloud, taken from their first greatest hits collection The Sound of Girls Aloud: The Greatest Hits . The song was written by Miranda Cooper, Brian Higgins and his production team Xenomania, and produced by Higgins and Xenomania...
" (no. 3), "I Think We're Alone Now" (no. 4) and non album/Comic Relief
Comic Relief
Comic Relief is an operating British charity, founded in 1985 by the comedy scriptwriter Richard Curtis and comedian Lenny Henry in response to famine in Ethiopia. The highlight of Comic Relief's appeal is Red Nose Day, a biennial telethon held in March, alternating with sister project Sport Relief...
single "Walk This Way
Walk This Way
"Walk This Way" is a song by American hard rock group Aerosmith. Written by Steven Tyler and Joe Perry, the song was originally released as the second single from the 1975 album Toys in the Attic. It peaked at Number 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 in early 1977, part of a string of successful hit...
" with Sugababes
Sugababes
The Sugababes are an English pop girl group based in London, consisting of members Heidi Range, Amelle Berrabah and Jade Ewen. The Sugababes were formed in 1998 with founding members Siobhán Donaghy, Mutya Buena and Keisha Buchanan. Their debut album, One Touch, was released in 2000 under London...
(no. 1). Their 4th studio album, Tangled Up
Tangled Up
Tangled Up is the fourth studio album by the British all-female pop group Girls Aloud. It was released in the United Kingdom on 19 November 2007 by Fascination Records. Like their previous albums, Tangled Up was crafted by the production team of Brian Higgins and Xenomania...
was released on this label on 19 November 2007, and featured their 16th single, "Sexy! No, No, No..." (which reached no. 5), their 17th single, "Call the Shots
Call the Shots
"Call the Shots" is a song performed by British all-female pop group Girls Aloud, taken from their fourth studio album Tangled Up . The song was written by Miranda Cooper, Brian Higgins and his production team Xenomania, and produced by Higgins and Xenomania...
", (which reached no. 3) and their 18th single, "Can't Speak French
Can't Speak French
"Can't Speak French" is a song performed by British all-female pop group Girls Aloud, taken from their fourth studio album Tangled Up . The song was written by Miranda Cooper, Brian Higgins and his production team Xenomania, and produced by Higgins and Xenomania...
", (which reached no. 9). The girls' 5th studio album Out Of Control
Out of Control (Girls Aloud album)
Out of Control is the fifth studio album by British all-female pop group Girls Aloud. It was released in the United Kingdom on 3 November 2008 by Fascination Records. Like their previous albums, Out of Control was crafted by the production team of Brian Higgins and Xenomania...
, and 6th overall, will be released via this label on 10 November 2008, and was preceded by their 19th single "The Promise
The Promise (Girls Aloud song)
"The Promise" is a pop song performed by British all-female pop group Girls Aloud, taken from their fifth studio album Out of Control . The song was written by Miranda Cooper, Brian Higgins and his production team Xenomania...
", which was released on 20 October 2008. It entered at no. 1 on the UK singles charts, making it Girls Aloud's 19th consecutive top 10 hit and 4th no. 1 of their career. The second single from the album, "The Loving Kind
The Loving Kind
"The Loving Kind" is a song performed by British girl group Girls Aloud, taken from their fifth studio album Out of Control . The song was written by Pet Shop Boys, Miranda Cooper, Brian Higgins and his production team Xenomania, and produced by Higgins and Xenomania...
" (co-written with the Pet Shop Boys
Pet Shop Boys
Pet Shop Boys are an English electronic dance music duo, consisting of Neil Tennant, who provides main vocals, keyboards and occasional guitar, and Chris Lowe on keyboards....
) became their 20th consecutive top 10 hit upon its release in January 2009, and the final single, "Untouchable
Untouchable (Girls Aloud song)
"Untouchable" is a song performed by British all-female pop group Girls Aloud, taken from their fifth studio album Out of Control . The song was written by Miranda Cooper, Brian Higgins and his production team Xenomania, and produced by Higgins and Xenomania. Influenced by trance music and Balearic...
" was released on 27 April 2009 and became the group's first single to not reach the top ten in the UK, instead peaking at no. 11. They are currently on hiatus.
Kimberley Walsh
Kimberley Walsh
Kimberley Jane Walsh is an English singer-songwriter, dancer, model, television presenter and actress. She is best known for being a member of girl group Girls Aloud, formed through ITV's reality television programme Popstars: The Rivals...
Later after she confirmed she has collaborated with Aggro Santos
Aggro Santos
Yuri "Aggro" Santos is a Brazilian-born English rapper from Balham, London.-Background:Santos was born in Sao Paulo and raised in London. He decided to become a musician after buying the Carlos Santana album 'Supernatural' when he was eight...
on his new single, "Like U Like
Like U Like
"Like U Like" is a song by British recording artist Aggro Santos. The song was written by Steve Mac, Wayne Hector and Aggro Santos and produced by Mac for his debut album, AggroSantos.com . After Santos was interested of making a duet with Walsh, Gary Barlow, contacted Walsh and sorted out their...
", she announced that she would also release a solo album under the label of Fascination.
Sophie Ellis-Bextor
Sophie Ellis-Bextor
Sophie Michelle Ellis-Bextor is an English singer, songwriter, model and occasional DJ. She first came to prominence in the late 1990s, as the lead singer of the indie rock band Theaudience. After the group disbanded, Ellis-Bextor went solo, achieving widespread success in the early 2000s...
Shooting to fame as the singer of Spiller
Spiller
Cristiano Spiller is an Italian DJ.He had a #1 hit in the UK, Italy, Australia and other countries with the hit single, "Groovejet ", featuring Sophie Ellis-Bextor, released in 2000...
's "Groovejet (If This Ain't Love)
Groovejet (If This Ain't Love)
"Groovejet " is a single by Spiller, featuring vocals by British singer-songwriter Sophie Ellis-Bextor. The single was released in August 2000 by Positiva Records. It peaked at #1 in the UK, New Zealand, Ireland and Australia, as well as charting at number three on the American Hot Dance Chart...
", Sophie went on to score a string of Top 10 singles. Her multi-platinum album Read My Lips peaked straightly to the UK Top and was a success throughout many European Countries and Australia. After the release of her second album, Shoot from the Hip
Shoot from the Hip
Shoot from the Hip is the second album released by British pop–dance singer Sophie Ellis-Bextor. It was released by Polydor Records on October 27, 2003, and was produced by Gregg Alexander, Matt Rowe, Jeremy Wheatley and Damian LeGassick.-Background:...
, Sophie took a break from music to have a baby and to marry Richard Jones
Richard Jones (bassist)
Richard Jones is bassist with British band The Feeling.Jones attended the BRIT School in Croydon. He married British pop star Sophie Ellis-Bextor on 25 June 2005 in Italy. Together the couple have two sons, Sonny Jones, born in April 2004, and Kit Valentine Jones, born in February 2009...
from The Feeling
The Feeling
The Feeling are a BRIT award-nominated English pop band from West Sussex and London. The band categorise their music as "pop".Following a limited release of their first single "Fill My Little World" in late 2005, the band entered the UK Singles Chart at #7 with their first full release "Sewn" in...
. She finished her third solo album in 2007 with the Fascination team, which was released on 21 May 2007. It is entitled Trip the Light Fantastic with the first single from it being "Catch You
Catch You
"Catch You" is a pop dance song written by Cathy Dennis and Greg Kurstin, produced by Kurstin for Sophie Ellis-Bextor's third album Trip the Light Fantastic. It was released as the album's first single on 19 February 2007.-Background:...
", released on 19 February 2007, becoming her 7th Top 10 Hit. Also, she released "Me and My Imagination
Me and My Imagination
"Me and My Imagination" is a pop song written by Sophie Ellis-Bextor, Hannah Robinson and Matt Prime for Ellis-Bextor's third album, Trip the Light Fantastic. The song was released as the album's second single in May 2007, reaching number twenty-three on the UK singles chart. The song reached...
", the second single from her 3rd album, reaching the UK Top 40 again. Her third single released by Fascination was considered a flop, however. The album debuted inside the Top 10 in the first week of its release 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...
, and was certified as Gold a year later. Her collaboration with dance producers Freemasons on the track Heartbreak (Make Me A Dancer) returned her to the UK top 20 in July 2009, and in May 2010, Bittersweet
Bittersweet
-Biology:*A vine in the nightshade family, Solanum dulcamara*Some species of vines in the genus Celastrus, including American bittersweet and Oriental bittersweet -Biology:*A vine in the nightshade family, Solanum dulcamara*Some species of vines in the genus Celastrus, including American...
, the first single from Sophie's fourth album Make A Scene was released and gave her another top 30 hit, peaking at #26. She also embarked on her first UK tour in nearly 8 years during December of that year.
Alphabeat
Alphabeat
Alphabeat are a Danish pop band from Silkeborg, fronted by singers Stine Bramsen and Anders SG and signed to Polydor Records. Their single "Fascination" was a major hit in Denmark during the summer of 2007 and a significant hit in the United Kingdom in 2008...
After scoring three UK top 20 hits in 2008 from their debut UK top 10 album Alphabeat, the Danish outfit signed a new UK record deal with Fascination in 2009 for the release of their second album. The Spell
The Spell (Alphabeat album)
The Spell is the second studio album by Danish pop group Alphabeat. It was released in Denmark on 26 October 2009 by Copenhagen Records. Alphabeat stated their second album moved away from the pop roots of their debut album, Alphabeat, in favour of popular dance acts of the 1990s such as Snap! and...
, retitled The Beat Is... for UK release, produced two UK top 30 hits: "The Spell
The Spell (song)
"The Spell" is the first single by Alphabeat to be released from their second album of the same name. The song uses keyboard chords very similar to those found in Cut 'N' Move's Get Serious....
", which reached #20 in October 2009, and "Hole in My Heart", which reached #29 in February 2010. The third single from the album, "DJ
DJ (Alphabeat song)
DJ is the second single by Danish electronica-pop group Alphabeat to be released from their second album The Spell, becoming a top ten hit in their native country....
", however, failed to chart at all. Under Fascination, Alphabeat also completed two UK tours in 2009/2010.
Imports
Fascination handles the UK releases of several acts who are signed to USA label Hollywood RecordsHollywood Records
Hollywood Records is an American record label owned by Disney Music Group, a subsidiary of the Walt Disney Company.-History:Hollywood Records was founded in 1989 by then-Disney CEO Michael Eisner with the idea of expanding the music operations of the company and to develop and promote...
Jonas Brothers
Jonas Brothers
The Jonas Brothers are an American boy band. The band gained its popularity from the Disney Channel children's television network. From the shore region of New Jersey, the band consists of three brothers: Paul Kevin Jonas II , Joseph Adam Jonas , and Nicholas Jerry Jonas...
Fascination are releasing the UK singles and albums for the three piece American pop rock group. Their debut UK single, "SOS
SOS (Jonas Brothers song)
"S.O.S" is a song by American pop band Jonas Brothers. The song was released as the band's second single from Jonas Brothers, their second studio album, in 2007. It was also their debut single in Europe in May 2008 and in UK in early June 2008...
" was released in June 2008 and peaked inside the UK top 20 at no. 14. Their self titled debut UK album was also released in this month and reached the UK top 10 album chart at no. 9. Their second UK single release is the double-a-side "Burnin' Up
Burnin' Up
"Burnin' Up" is the lead single from American pop band the Jonas Brothers' third studio album, A Little Bit Longer, and was officially released via Radio Disney on June 19, 2008 as well as other radio stations, and on iTunes on June 20, 2008. In the United Kingdom, it was released as an AA side...
"/"When You Look Me in the Eyes
When You Look Me in the Eyes
"When You Look Me in the Eyes" is a song by the American pop-rock band Jonas Brothers. The song was released as the band's third single from their self-titled second album, Jonas Brothers, in 2007...
". The single was released on 22 September 2008 and peaked at no. 30, followed a week later on 29 September 2008 by their new album A Little Bit Longer
A Little Bit Longer
A Little Bit Longer is the third studio album by the American pop rock band the Jonas Brothers, and their second album released on Hollywood Records. It was released on August 12, 2008. The album received generally favorable reviews, and four star reviews from Rolling Stone, Allmusic, and Blender....
which peaked at UK no. 19 in the album chart.
Miley Cyrus
Miley Cyrus
Miley Ray Cyrus is an American actress and pop singer-songwriter. She achieved wide fame for her role as Miley Stewart/Hannah Montana on the Disney Channel sitcom Hannah Montana....
The Hannah Montana
Hannah Montana
Hannah Montana is an American television series, which debuted on March 24, 2006 on the Disney Channel. The series focuses on a girl who lives a double life as an average teenage school girl named Miley Stewart by day and a famous pop singer named Hannah Montana by night, concealing her real...
star released her debut album Breakout in the UK with Fascination in 2008. On the 9th November 2009 she released her new album The Time of Our Lives
The Time of Our Lives
"The Time of Our Lives" is a song recorded by multinational operatic pop quartet Il Divo and American R&B singer Toni Braxton to serve as the official theme song for the 2006 FIFA World Cup football tournament...
, with the lead single being "Party in the USA".
Demi Lovato
Demi Lovato
"She’s got the range, the full emotional spectrum, incredible control… Vocally, she’s the best thing Disney’s had since Christina Aguilera."—Producer Toby Gad on Demi Lovato's vocals...
The Camp Rock
Camp Rock
Camp Rock is a 2008 Disney Channel Original Movie starring the Jonas Brothers and Demi Lovato. The music is written by Julie Brown, Paul Brown, Regina Hicks and Karen Gist. The film is directed by Matthew Diamond and produced by Alan Sacks....
star is releasing her music in the UK with Fascination. Her first UK release was "La La Land
La La Land (song)
"La La Land" is a song performed by American recording artist Demi Lovato. It was written by Lovato, Joe Jonas, Kevin Jonas II and Nick Jonas, and produced by the Jonas Brothers alongside John Fields, for Lovato's debut studio album, Don't Forget...
" from Don't Forget
Don't Forget
Don't Forget is the debut studio album by American singer–songwriter Demi Lovato. The album was released on September 23, 2008 by Hollywood Records. Lovato co-wrote most of the songs with American boy band Jonas Brothers, who also co-produced several songs with John Fields...
, it peaked at 36 on the UK Top 40. She released her second album on the 5th October 2009 called Here We Go Again.
Selena Gomez & the Scene
Selena Gomez & the Scene
Selena Gomez & the Scene is an American pop band formed in Hollywood, California in 2009. Along with lead singer and founder Selena Gomez, the band consists of bassist Joey Clement, guitarist Ethan Roberts, drummist Greg Garman and keyboardist Dane Forrest. Selena Gomez & the Scene have released...
The multi-talented star's band released their hit single "Naturally
Naturally (Selena Gomez & the Scene song)
"Naturally" is a song performed by American band Selena Gomez & the Scene from their debut album, Kiss & Tell. The song serves as the album's second single in the United States and a few other countries, and as the album's lead single in most European markets. It was produced by Antonina Armato and...
" on April 12, 2010 and their album Kiss & Tell
Kiss & Tell (Selena Gomez & the Scene album)
Kiss & Tell is the debut studio album by American band Selena Gomez & the Scene. It was released on September 29, 2009 by Hollywood Records. Gomez formed the band as she stated she did not want to become a solo artist quite yet. The band worked with several writers and producers on the album...
the following week , the single debuted and peaked at 7 on the UK Top 40 and the album at no. 12.
Television Tie-ins
Connie FisherConnie Fisher
Connie Fisher is a Welsh actress and singer, who won the BBC One talent contest, How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria?...
The winner of the BBC1 show How Do You Solve A Problem Like Maria?
How Do You Solve A Problem Like Maria?
How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria? was a British television talent series, that was broadcast on Saturday evenings on BBC One between 29 July and 16 September 2006. It documented the search for a new, undiscovered musical theatre performer to play the role of Maria von Trapp in the 2006 Andrew...
released her debut album Favourite Things on Fascination on October 9, 2006. Her debut album peaked no. 14 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...
.
Lee Mead
Lee Mead
Lee Stephen Mead is an English musical theatre actor, best known for winning the title role in the 2007 West End revival of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat through the BBC reality TV casting show Any Dream Will Do...
As with Connie, Lee, the winner of BBC1's Any Dream Will Do
Any Dream Will Do (TV series)
Any Dream Will Do, often known as 'Joseph', was a 2007 talent show-themed television series produced by the BBC in the United Kingdom. It searched for a new, unknown lead to play Joseph in a West End revival of the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.The show...
has been signed to this label. His debut single of the same name entered on downloads at no. 18 before peaking at no. 2 the following week behind "Umbrella
Umbrella (song)
"Umbrella" is a song recorded by Barbadian singer Rihanna, featuring a rap verse by Jay-Z. The song was written by The-Dream, Christopher Stewart, Kuk Harrell and Jay-Z, and was produced by Stewart and The-Dream for Rihanna's third studio album, Good Girl Gone Bad...
" by Rihanna
Rihanna
Robyn Rihanna Fenty , better known as simply Rihanna, is a Barbadian recording artist. Born in Saint Michael, Barbados, Rihanna moved to the United States at the age of 16 to pursue a recording career under the guidance of record producer Evan Rogers...
feat. Jay Z. Fascination also released his self titled debut album in November 2007, which peaked inside the Top 20 of the UK Albums Chart, and his two download only singles "Gonna Make You A Star" and "You and Me".
Dirty Diegos
Fascination announced on their website on 8 October 2008 that they have recently signed the fictional band who feature in Channel 4
Channel 4
Channel 4 is a British public-service television broadcaster which began working on 2 November 1982. Although largely commercially self-funded, it is ultimately publicly owned; originally a subsidiary of the Independent Broadcasting Authority , the station is now owned and operated by the Channel...
soap Hollyoaks
Hollyoaks
Hollyoaks is a long-running British television soap opera, first broadcast on Channel 4 on 23 October 1995. It was originally devised by Phil Redmond, who has also devised shows including Brookside and Grange Hill...
. Their official MySpace was launched on 23 October 2008 and has a 60 second preview of their debut single, "Play", which will be released digitally on 23 November 2008 in the UK.
Soundtracks and compilations
Mamma Mia! The Movie SoundtrackMamma Mia! The Movie Soundtrack
Mamma Mia! The Movie Soundtrack is the soundtrack album for the 2008 Universal Pictures musical film Mamma Mia!, based on the stage musical of the same name...
The soundtrack to the film version of the Abba
Abba
ABBA is the name of a former Swedish pop music group.Abba may also refer to:* ABBA , a self-titled album by the Swedish pop music group ABBA* "Abba ", a song by Christian pop and rock artist, Rebecca St...
musical was released through Fascination in July 2008. The cast's cover of "Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! (A Man After Midnight)
Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! (A Man After Midnight)
"Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! ", originally titled "Been and Gone and Done It", is one of Swedish pop group ABBA's biggest disco hits. It was recorded and released in 1979 with "The King Has Lost His Crown" as the B-side. It appears on ABBA's Greatest Hits Vol...
" was released digitally as a single in July 2008.
Britannia High
Britannia High
Britannia High was a British musical drama television series co-produced by Granada Television Britannia High was a British musical drama television series co-produced by Granada Television Britannia High was a British musical drama television series co-produced by Granada Television (now part of...
Fascination in collaboration with Globe (the TV production arm of Universal Music Group) and ITV1
ITV1
ITV1 is a generic brand that is used by twelve franchises of the British ITV Network in the English regions, Wales, southern Scotland , the Isle of Man and the Bailiwicks of Jersey and Guernsey. The ITV1 brand was introduced by Carlton and Granada in 2001, alongside the regional identities of their...
released the soundtrack to this new Fame
Fame (1982 TV series)
Fame is an American television series originally produced between 1982 and 1987. The show was based on the 1980 motion picture of the same name. Using a mixture of drama and music, it followed the lives of the students and faculty at the New York City High School for the Performing Arts. Although...
-style TV series, that went to air in the UK on 26 October 2008. The first single and theme tune to the series, "Start of Something", which has been written by Take That
Take That
Take That are a British five-piece vocal pop group comprising Gary Barlow, Howard Donald, Jason Orange, Mark Owen and Robbie Williams. Barlow acts as the lead singer and primary songwriter...
star Gary Barlow
Gary Barlow
Gary Barlow is an English singer-songwriter, pianist and record producer. He is frontman and lead vocalist of pop group Take That and is currently the head judge on the eighth series of The X Factor. Barlow is one of Britain's most successful songwriters...
is available to download for free from the official programme website.
Skins:
The soundtrack to the Channel 4
Channel 4
Channel 4 is a British public-service television broadcaster which began working on 2 November 1982. Although largely commercially self-funded, it is ultimately publicly owned; originally a subsidiary of the Independent Broadcasting Authority , the station is now owned and operated by the Channel...
drama series was released on this label in September 2007.
St. Trinians
The soundtrack to this film (which featured the label's own Girls Aloud singing the theme from the film) was released through Fascination in December 2007. Fascination also released the soundtrack for its 2009 sequel, St. Trinian's 2: The Legend of Fritton's Gold, which featured contributions from Fascination artists such as The Saturdays and Girls Aloud's Sarah Harding
Sarah Harding
Sarah Nicole Harding is an English singer-songwriter, actress and model best known for being a member of the pop group Girls Aloud, formed through ITV's reality television programme Popstars: The Rivals...
and five new songs produced by Xenomania
Xenomania
Xenomania is a British songwriting and production team founded by Brian Higgins and based in Kent, England. Formed after Higgins met Miranda Cooper, Xenomania has written and produced for renowned artists such as Cher, Kylie Minogue, Dannii Minogue, Pet Shop Boys, and Sugababes...
from The "Banned" of St. Trinian's - who released their debut and only single, Up & Away for digital download on 30 November 2009.
- Popjustice
The Popjustice
Popjustice
Popjustice is a music website founded in 2000 and is the work of UK freelance music journalist Peter Robinson, who has worked for NME, The Guardian, Attitude and many others....
compilation album, Popjustice: 100% Solid Pop Music, has also been released on this label.
Former artists
Tokio HotelTokio Hotel
Tokio Hotel is a pop rock band from Germany, founded in 2001 by singer Bill Kaulitz, guitarist Tom Kaulitz, drummer Gustav Schäfer and bassist Georg Listing...
The German punk pop band released their debut UK single "Ready, Set, Go!" under the label on 27 August 2007 but could only reach no. 77, and were dropped from their label in April 2008.
Paul Steel
Singer songwriter Paul Steel was touted by the Sunday Times as one to watch. He released a debut, 10 track EP entitled April And I in March 2007 and released debut single "Your Loss" on 3 September, which failed to chart. Debut album 'Moon Rock' and the follow-up single 'I Will Make You Disappear' were cancelled for release and he was dropped in April 2008.
Girls Can't Catch
Girls Can't Catch
Girls Can't Catch were a British girl group. Their debut single "Keep Your Head Up" entered the UK Singles Chart at number 26. Their second single "Echo" was released on 18 January 2010, debuting at number 19 on the UK Top 40 singles chart. The band was dropped by their record company, Polydor...
Girls Can't Catch are the newest artists to join Fascination Records. They have released a song, "Keep Your Head Up", on August 3, 2009, and peaked at no. 26 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 ...
, their second single "Echo
Echo (Girls Can't Catch song)
"Echo" is the second and final single by British girl group Girls Can't Catch. It was released on January 18, 2010.- Music video :The music video was shot the week beginning November 9, 2009. Fans were allowed to post video ideas for the music video. Whoever won was allowed to visit the girls on...
" peaked in the top 20. It was reported on 12 July 2010 that the band had been dropped by their record label.
Re-formed artists
- BananaramaBananaramaBananarama are an English female pop duo who have had success on the pop and dance charts since 1982. Rather than relying on a two part harmony, the duo generally sings in unison, as do their background vocalists. Although there have been line-up changes, the group enjoyed their most popular...
Bananarama have signed a deal for a new album titled Viva
Viva (Bananarama album)
Viva is the tenth studio album recorded by the British vocal duo Bananarama. It was released by Fascination Records on 14 September 2009 in the UK....
. Viva is the tenth studio album recorded by the British vocal duo Bananarama. It was released by Fascination Records on 14 September 2009 in the UK. It contains the singles "Love Comes", "Love Don't Live Here" and other new tracks co-written by Dallin and Woodward, as well as 3 cover versions – "Rapture" (originally by iiO), "The Runner" (originally a 1979 hit for The Three Degrees) and "S-S-S-Single Bed"" (originally by Fox).
External links
- Official site
- Fascination Records on TwitterTwitterTwitter is an online social networking and microblogging service that enables its users to send and read text-based posts of up to 140 characters, informally known as "tweets".Twitter was created in March 2006 by Jack Dorsey and launched that July...
- New artist search
- UK Top Connie Fisher
- Popjustice