Morgan King

Last updated

Morgan King
Morgan King.jpg
Background information
Born (1961-03-28) 28 March 1961 (age 63)
Origin Spitalfields, London, England
Genres Electronic, synth-pop, ambient, alternative, house
Occupation(s)Musician, songwriter, producer, photographer
Instrument(s)Vocals, drums, bass, synthesizer, drum machine
Years active1979–present
LabelsAccidental Music
Website Morganking.net

Morgan King (born 28 March 1961) is an English singer, songwriter, record producer and photographer.

Contents

Musical career

Born in Spitalfields, London, King's musical career began in 1979 as drummer for Manchester band Illustration, who were subsequently signed by the indie label, "Some Bizzare" featuring on the Some Bizzare Album. After several years immersed in the UK indie scene, King's musical direction changed considerably with the advent of house music in the late 1980s. In 1988, King moved to Chicago and started writing with Kym Mazelle and Marshall Jefferson on Mazelle's first album, Crazy, which was released the following year. In 1989, King joined his third band, the Manic MCs who had a UK top thirty hit with their first release, "Mental".

In 1990, King started collaborating with BTech record's Jan Ekholm after being introduced by DJ/production duo Quartz, working in Sweden on a series of dance releases under various pseudonyms, including Technoir, Backbeat, Groovement, Bassrace and others. "Clubland" originally formed by Dave Rawlings and Ronnie Herel of Quartz with Jan Ekholm. During the first album Quartz left and the two remaining members were joined by Zemya Hamilton on vocals. Clubland recorded three albums, winning a Swedish Grammy for their second album Adventures Beyond Clubland, plus received three gold discs. Together they also topped the US Billboard Dance chart three times with "Lets Get Busy", "Hold On (Tighter to Love)" and "Hypnotized" respectively. It was also during this period he recorded his solo record, the Balearic anthem "I Am Free".

In 1991, Kingn partnered with Nick Hook to form Om records in London and the band Soundsource, who subsequently achieved success with the House / rap track "Take Me Up", [1] later recycled by "Lock 'N Load" for their 2000 top ten UK hit "Blow Ya Mind". This single was followed up by the 1992 club hit "One High". Again, King started writing and recording under a variety of pseudonyms at Om including, Al Hambra, VFN Experience, Om and Obiman. Obiman went on to feature on the seminal Cafe Del Mar compilation series. On the same album he also co-wrote and produced José Padilla's first solo recording "Agua". [2]

Around 1994/1995, King took a break from the music scene, eventually resurfacing in 2003 to co-write Trybe's "Sarah Said" with Fragma. In 2007 he opened his Accidental Music label so he could make his archive available in the digital realm for the first time, and to collaborate on new dance projects. Also around the same time he became a professional photographer after he was invited to do a one off project in Iran. To date he is still working as an artist releasing solo albums and playing live, plus since 2012 he joined Lene Lovich as part of her band.

Selected discography

Morgan King

Albums
Singles and EPs

Morgan King & Lene Lovich

Singles

Morgan King / La Serrena

Singles

With Clubland

(King / Ekholm / Hamilton)

Albums
Selected singles

With Manic MC's

(King / Cottle / Hudd)

Singles

With Soundsource

(King / Hook)

Singles

Obiman

Singles
Compilations

With VFN Experience

(Nasty / King)

Single

Morgan King & Max Julien

Singles

Morgan King vs Charma

Singles

Morgan King vs Lyla D'Souza

Singles

Remixes

Compilation appearances

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">System 7 (band)</span> British electronic music project

System 7 are a UK-based electronic dance music band. Due to the existence of another band called System Seven they were initially billed as 777 in North America. System 7 was also the name of the current version of the Macintosh operating system at the time, although this was not the reason for the temporary name change.

Clubland was a Swedish/British house music act assembled in 1990 by BTECH label boss/producer Jan Ekholm and British duo Dave Rawlings and Ronnie Herel of Quartz. British musician Morgan King joined them later as a songwriter. Lead vocals for the first album Themes from Outer Clubland were variously performed by the American hip house duo 2 in a Room, British rapper Stepz, and Swedish singers Zemya Hamilton and Kayo Shekoni. In 1991, Ekholm reformed the act with members now comprising singer Zemya Hamilton and Morgan King.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">A Pain That I'm Used To</span> 2005 single by Depeche Mode

"A Pain That I'm Used To" is a song by English electronic band Depeche Mode. It is the opening track on their eleventh studio album, Playing the Angel (2005). It was released as the album's second single on 12 December 2005 through Mute Records.

<i>Non Stop Ecstatic Dancing</i> 1982 remix album by Soft Cell

Non Stop Ecstatic Dancing is a 'mini' or 'remix' album by English synth-pop duo Soft Cell, released in the United Kingdom in June 1982, by Some Bizzare Records. In addition to remixes of the group's older material, it included a brand-new track, a cover of Judy Street's 1966 song "What", which reached number three on the UK Singles Chart. In some territories the album was released as an EP.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Café del Mar (song)</span> Single by Energy 52

"Café del Mar" is a song first released in 1993 by the trance project Energy 52. It is named after the famous bar located in Ibiza, Balearic Islands, Spain. Almost instantly recognisable by its distinct melody, its popularity is reflected in the countless remixes that have since been created as well as its being featured on hundreds of CD compilations. The main melody of "Café del Mar" is based on "Struggle for Pleasure" by Belgian composer Wim Mertens.

Darren James Mew, better known as Darren Styles, is an English record producer, DJ, singer and songwriter from Colchester, Essex, England. Originally a member of the breakbeat hardcore group DJ Force & the Evolution, Styles found success during the 1990s as one half of Force & Styles. The duo were pioneers of happy hardcore and wrote several well-known songs such as "Heart of Gold", "Pretty Green Eyes" and "Paradise & Dreams".

Miromusic is an electronic music partnership of Mads Arp and Steen Thottrup of Denmark.

React Music Limited was a British independent record label, based in London, formed in 1990 by James Horrocks and Thomas Foley. James Horrocks was initially involved with successful dance music independent Rhythm King, and React pursued a similar approach — specifically electronic dance music, house music, acid house, techno and rave, along with newer "dance" oriented subgenres which emerged throughout the 1990s. These included hard house, tech house, trance, hardbag, happy hardcore, drum and bass and chill out.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sure Feels Good</span> 2007 single by Ultrabeat vs Darren Styles

"Sure Feels Good" is a song written and recorded by Ultrabeat and Darren Styles, released as a single in 2007. It was the first Styles/Ultrabeat collaboration since Ultrabeat covered "Pretty Green Eyes" and "Feelin' Fine" in 2003. The vocals are by Rebecca Rudd, also the singer on "Elysium ".

"Southern Freeez" produced by John Rocca was the first single released by British dance band Freeez from their debut album, also entitled Southern Freeez. The album was self-funded by member John Rocca and initially released on his Pink Rhythm record label before the group was signed to Beggars Banquet.

Vince Lawrence is an American dance music record producer, businessman and is one of the leading innovators of the genre of music called house music. Industry insiders recognize Lawrence as co-author of "On and On", the first recording officially designated "house music". He worked with Jesse Saunders in the initial creation of Jes Say Records, designing its logo by hand. He served as head of marketing and was the lyric writer for "Funk U Up", "Undercover" by Dr. Derelict, "Real Love", and many other songs released in the label's heyday. He also co-authored "Love Can't Turn Around", which featured Daryl Pandy and reached No. 10 in the UK Singles Chart in 1986, starting the house music revolution in the UK. He organized Trax Records, a Chicago house label. He is the founder of Slang MusicGroup, which has received numerous gold and platinum awards for their contributions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pyromania (song)</span> 2010 single by Cascada

"Pyromania" is a song performed by German Eurodance group Cascada, released as the first single from their fourth studio album, Original Me. It was written by Yann Peifer, Allan Eshuijs, and Manuel Reuter, and it was produced by Reuter and Peifer. The song was premiered on February 12, 2010, and was first released on March 19, 2010 by Zooland Records. "Pyromania" features Natalie Horler singing the whole song with guest male vocals speaking the "pyro-pyro" hook. Lyrically, the song is a play on words. It talks about a love and obsession with fire.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">CeCe Peniston discography</span>

American recording artist CeCe Peniston entered the music industry as a backup vocalist on the Overweight Pooch's album Female Preacher, released in July 1991 on A&M Records. Shortly before that, she was featured on the B-side to 12-inch single "I Can't Take the Power" by male rapper Marvelous JC. Besides her vocal performance on the Pooch's only charting track, "I Like It", she was given a credit for co-writing two compositions; "Kickin' Da Blues" and the titular "Female Preacher". Soon after, the singer pursued a solo career. By now, Peniston has released four studio albums including one as a member of The Sisters of Glory, two remix collections, one live album, four compilations and one live extended play (EP). Her singles discography features twenty-nine physical releases, twenty-one digital-only, seven promotional recordings and twenty-six other appearances; regardless of their format. She has also been included on one video album and has made fourteen music videos.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I'm in the Mood (CeCe Peniston song)</span> 1993 single by CeCe Peniston

"I'm in the Mood" is a song by American singer and songwriter CeCe Peniston, released in December 1993 by A&M Records as the first commercial single from her second studio album, Thought 'Ya Knew (1994). The composition scored the singer her fourth number one on the US Billboard Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart, and also entered the top 10 of the Billboard Hot R&B chart, peaking at number seven. On the Billboard Hot 100 and Cash Box Top 100, the song peaked at number 32 and 28, respectively. In Europe, "I'm in the Mood" made number 16 on the UK Top 75, as well as entering the top 30 in the Netherlands and Switzerland. The music video was directed by Antoine Fuqua. In a 2011 interview for Boy Culture, TypePad's blogging service, Peniston disclosed that she had actually expected a better reception of the single.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Keep On Walkin' (song)</span> 1992 single by CeCe Peniston

"Keep On Walkin'" is a song by American musician CeCe Peniston, recorded for her debut album, Finally (1992), on A&M Records. Written by Steve Hurley, Marc Williams and Kym Sims, it was released in May 1992 as the singer's third single from the album and was her third number one on the US Billboard Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart. The single additionally peaked at number three on the US R&B chart, number 15 on the Hot 100, and number 10 in the United Kingdom.

Shakedown is a Swiss musical project, known internationally for its 2002 hit single, "At Night". By the time they started the group in 1999, Stephan Mandrax and Sebastien Kohler were two brothers who blended their knowledge to form their genre, a modified disco infused house crossed with electro.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I'm Not Over You</span> 1994 single by CeCe Peniston

"I'm Not Over You" is a song by American singer-songwriter and former beauty queen CeCe Peniston, originally recorded for her second album, Thought 'Ya Knew (1994), which was released on A&M Records. The single achieved number two on the Billboard Dance Club Songs chart, and number ten on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. On the Billboard Hot 100, the song charted at number forty-one. The B-side of the single included "Searchin'", which was previously released only for promotional purposes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Best Years of Our Lives (song)</span> 1982 single by Modern Romance

"Best Years of Our Lives" is a song recorded by English band Modern Romance. It was released in October 1982 as a 7-inch single and 12-inch single by WEA. A Japanese and German edition was also released.

Morgan Rodriguez, professionally known by his stage name MC Breeze, is an American rapper from Los Angeles. He released his only studio album, T.Y.S.O.N. , in 1989 via Atlantic Records. The album, which was produced by the L.A. Posse, made it to number 60 on the US Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums. The record spawned two singles: "Great Big Freak" and "L.A. Posse". The latter peaked at No. 79 on the US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, No. 8 on the US Hot Rap Songs, and later was ranked at No. 64 by Complex's list of The 100 Best L.A. Rap Songs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Innocence (Kirsty MacColl song)</span> 1989 single by Kirsty MacColl

"Innocence" is a song by British singer and songwriter Kirsty MacColl, which was released in 1989 as the third single from her second studio album Kite. It was written by MacColl and Pete Glenister, and produced by Steve Lillywhite. "Innocence" reached No. 80 in the UK and remained in the charts for four weeks. The song's music video was filmed in the back garden of MacColl's home in Ealing. It was directed by Sarah Tuft and features a cameo appearance from Edward Tudor-Pole.

References

  1. Colin Larkin, ed. (1998). The Virgin Encyclopedia of Dance Music (First ed.). Virgin Books. p. 184. ISBN   0-7535-0252-6.
  2. "Café Del Mar (1994, CD)". Discogs.com. 6 June 1994. Retrieved 23 June 2021.
  3. "Bob Stanley & Pete Wiggs Present The Tears Of Technology". Acerecords.co.uk. Retrieved 23 June 2021.