Raze (house-music group)

Last updated

Raze
Origin United States
Genres House
Years active1986–1992
Labels
  • Grove Street Records
  • Champion Records
Past members
  • Vaughan Mason
  • Keith Thompson

Raze was an American electronic dance music group by the multi-instrumentalist and producer Vaughan Mason. Raze also included the vocalists Keith Thompson, Wanda Sykes, Bobby Coleman and DJ Stephon Johnson. [1] [2]

Contents

Biography

Early releases included "Jack the Groove" and "Let the Music Move U", both in 1986. "Jack the Groove" was one of the first house music hits in the UK, entering the top 20 of the UK Singles Chart in January 1987. [3] Along with Steve "Silk" Hurley's "Jack Your Body", a UK No. 1 the same month, it presaged the popularity of the genre in the UK in the late 1980s.

Raze hit No. 1 on the US Hot Dance Club Play chart in 1988 with "Break 4 Love" [4] which also crossed over to urban radio stations, where it became a moderate hit. "Break 4 Love" hit No. 1 on the US dance chart again in 2001, when it was covered by Peter Rauhofer and the Pet Shop Boys, under the name the Collaboration.

In October 2004, "Break 4 Love" appeared in the popular video game Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas , playing on the house music radio station SF-UR.

Discography

Albums

YearTitle
1988Album 88
1991All 4 Love

Singles

YearTitleChart positions
US
R&B

[5]
US
Dance

[4]
UK
[6]
UK
Dance

[6]
1986"Jack the Groove"20
1987"Let the Music Move U"57
"Caught U Cheatin'"77
1988"Break 4 Love"24128
1989"Let It Roll"†27
1990"All 4 Love (Break 4 Love 1990)"‡30
"Can You Feel It"¶62
1991"Let It Move U"^
"Bass Power"16
1994"Break 4 Love" (Our Tribe Club Mix)441
2003"Break 4 Love" (David Vendetta Mix)64
"—" denotes releases that did not chart.

† – Raze presents Doug Lazy
‡ – Raze featuring Lady J and Secretary of Entertainment
¶ – Raze/The Legend (montage of six Raze tracks, Champion Records UK)
^ – Raze presents ESTB

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">You Want This</span> 1994 single by Janet Jackson

"You Want This" is a song by American singer-songwriter Janet Jackson from her fifth studio album, Janet (1993). Released as the album's seventh single in October 1994, the track was written and produced by Jackson and Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis. The single version, also used in the music video directed by Keir McFarlane, featured an additional rap verse from MC Lyte. The song was listed in the book Rock Song Index: The 7500 Most Important Songs for the Rock and Roll Era (2005) by Bruce Pollock.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Groove Is in the Heart</span> 1990 single by Deee-Lite

"Groove Is in the Heart" is a song by American dance band Deee-Lite, released in August 1990 by Elektra as their debut and lead single from their first album, World Clique (1990). Written and produced by the band, it was a hit in many countries, reaching number-one in Australia and on both the Canadian RPM and US Billboard dance charts. Today it is widely recognized as a classic of its genre.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Right in the Night</span> 1993 single by Jam & Spoon

"Right in the Night (Fall in Love with Music)" is a song by German electronic music duo Jam & Spoon, released by JAM! and Dance Pool as the second single from the duo's second album, Tripomatic Fairytales 2001 (1993). It is a Eurodance song with elements from progressive and vocal trance. It is based on "Leyenda" by the classical composer Isaac Albéniz and features vocals by American vocalist Plavka, with lyrics by Nosie Katzmann. The flamenco-styled riff in the song is played by duo member Jam El Mar, who was trained as a classical guitarist.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Back for Good (song)</span> 1995 single by Take That

"Back for Good" is a song by English band Take That from their third studio album, Nobody Else (1995). Released on March 27, 1995 by RCA and Arista, it was written by lead singer Gary Barlow, who also co-produced it with Chris Porter. The song topped the UK Singles Chart whilst also charting at number one in 31 countries, as well as reaching the top 10 in many others. Vaughan Arnell and Anthea Benton directed the song's music video. At the 1996 Brit Awards, "Back for Good" won the Brit Award for British Single of the Year. In 2003, Q Magazine ranked the song at number 910 in their list of the "1001 Best Songs Ever" and in a UK poll in 2012, it was voted number 11 on the ITV special The Nation's Favourite Number One Single.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Don't Walk Away (Jade song)</span> 1992 single by Jade

"Don't Walk Away" is a song by American R&B group Jade, released in November 1992 as the second single from their debut album, Jade to the Max (1992). It samples the drums from Kool & the Gang's 1975 song "Jungle Jazz" and the chords progression from Stevie Wonder's 1982 song "That Girl". The song peaked at number two on the US Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart and number four on the Billboard Hot 100. Outside of the United States, it also peaked within the top 10 in the United Kingdom and the Netherlands, reaching respectively number seven and nine. The success of the single landed the trio spots on The Tonight Show, The Arsenio Hall Show, and Top of the Pops in the United Kingdom.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Not Over Yet (Grace song)</span> 1993 single by Grace

"Not Over Yet" is a song by British dance act Grace. Originally released in 1993 under the band name State of Grace, it was re-released in March 1995 as the first single from their only album, If I Could Fly (1996). It received critical acclaim from music critics, peaking at number six on the UK Singles Chart and number-one on the US Billboard Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart. Lead vocals and backing vocals were performed by singer Patti Low. In 1995, the lead vocals were replaced by new frontwoman and singer, Dominique Atkins for the album release, although Low's backing vocals remained in place. This Atkins/Low combination appeared on all subsequent re-releases and remixes of the track. The woman who appears in the accompanying music video is Low.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jump to the Beat</span> 1980 single by Stacy Lattisaw

"Jump to the Beat" is a song written by Narada Michael Walden and Lisa Walden. It was originally released by American singer Stacy Lattisaw in 1980 when it became a big hit in the UK, peaking at No. 3. It was later covered by Australian singer Dannii Minogue on her debut album, Love and Kisses in 1991.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ain't Nobody</span> 1983 single by Rufus and Chaka Khan

"Ain't Nobody" is a song by American funk band Rufus and American singer Chaka Khan. It was released on November 4, 1983, as one of four studio tracks included on their live album, Stompin' at the Savoy (1983). "Ain't Nobody" quickly gathered popularity, and reached number one on the US Billboard R&B chart and number 22 on the US Billboard Hot 100. In 1984 at the 26th Annual Grammy Awards, "Ain't Nobody" won for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal. It has become one of Khan's signature songs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tennessee (Arrested Development song)</span> 1992 single by Arrested Development

"Tennessee" a song by American hip hop group Arrested Development, released in March 1992 as the first single from their debut album, 3 Years, 5 Months & 2 Days in the Life Of... (1992). The song contains a sample of Prince's 1988 hit "Alphabet St.". "Tennessee" peaked at number six in the United States and won the Grammy Award for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group in 1993. The song's music video was directed by Milcho Manchevski. A 2007 poll of VH1 viewers placed the song at number 71 on the list of the "Greatest Songs of the 90s" and is listed as one of the "500 Songs That Shaped Rock and Roll" by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. It was also ranked number 78 on VH1's "100 Greatest Songs of Hip Hop".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Space Cowboy (Jamiroquai song)</span> 1994 single by Jamiroquai

"Space Cowboy" is the international lead single from British funk and acid jazz band Jamiroquai's second studio album, The Return of the Space Cowboy (1994). Released on 26 September 1994 by Sony Soho Square, the single peaked at number 17 on the UK Singles Chart, number six in Italy, and number three in Iceland. In the United States, it gave the band their first number one on the Billboard Hot Dance Club Play chart. In June 2006, it re-entered the UK Dance Chart at number one. Its music video was directed by Vaughan Arnell and Anthea Benton. The single contains remixes by David Morales, which further put the single in club circulation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">100% Pure Love</span> 1994 single by Crystal Waters

"100% Pure Love" is a song recorded by American singer and songwriter Crystal Waters from her second studio album, Storyteller (1994). It was released on April 11, 1994 by Mercury and A&M (UK), as the album's lead single. The song was a hit in many countries, reaching the top 20 in Australia, Finland, the Netherlands, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and the United States. It is certified platinum in Australia and gold in the US. In 1995, it was awarded the prize for Top ASCAP Dance Song. And its accompanying music video, directed by Marcus Nispel, was nominated for Best Dance Video at the 1994 MTV Video Music Awards.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Love I Lost</span> 1973 single by Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes

"The Love I Lost" is a song by American R&B group Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes. Group member Teddy Pendergrass sang lead vocals. Originally written as a ballad by Philly soul songwriters Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff, the song was transformed into a funk song and features drummer Earl Young. It was released from the Black & Blue album in late 1973 and sold more than a million copies. In the 21st century, the track has been the subject of extended re-edits by notable remixers Tom Moulton, Theo Parrish, and Dimitri From Paris.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Break 4 Love</span>

"Break 4 Love" is a song written, produced and recorded by Vaughan Mason, the principal member of American house music group Raze, the song's original credited performer. The song, the group's only significant US hit, featured vocals by Keith Thompson and Vaughan Mason, as well as sexual sound samples by Erique Dial. The single peaked at number 28 on the UK Singles Chart and topped the US Billboard Hot Dance Club Play chart in 1988. It is still considered a classic of the early house music genre.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Love City Groove (song)</span> 1995 song by Love City Groove

"Love City Groove" is a song by British rap group Love City Groove that represented the United Kingdom at the Eurovision Song Contest 1995.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Always and Forever (Heatwave song)</span> 1977 single by Heatwave

"Always and Forever" is an R&B song written by Rod Temperton and produced by Barry Blue. It was first recorded by the British-based multinational funk-disco band Heatwave in 1976. Released as a single on December 3, 1977, the song is included on Heatwave's debut album Too Hot to Handle (1976) and has been covered by numerous artists, becoming something of a standard.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Too Hot (Kool & the Gang song)</span> 1980 single by Kool & the Gang

"Too Hot" is a song recorded by the American band Kool & the Gang for their 1979 album Ladies' Night. It was written by George Brown and Kool & the Gang, and produced by Eumir Deodato and Kool & the Gang. The song reached number five on the US Billboard Hot 100.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Heaven Knows (Luther Vandross song)</span> 1993 single by Luther Vandross

"Heaven Knows" is a song by American singer-songwriter Luther Vandross, released in September 1993 as the second single from his eight studio album, Never Let Me Go (1993). The song peaked in the top 30 on both Billboard's Hot R&B Singles and the Hot Dance Club Play, and also at thirty-three on the Billboard Hot Adult Contemporary Singles chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Who Do You Think You Are (Candlewick Green song)</span> Single by Candlewick Green

"Who Do You Think You Are" is a song written by British songwriting-team Des Dyer and Clive Scott. The song was first recorded by the pop group Candlewick Green and released in late December 1973. The song peaked at #21 in the United Kingdom in February 1974.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Buddy X</span> 1992 single by Neneh Cherry

"Buddy X" is a song by Swedish musician Neneh Cherry, released in 1993 as the third and final single from her second album, Homebrew (1992). Co-written and co-produced by Cherry, it was a top 40 hit in both the Netherlands and the United Kingdom, peaking at numbers 23 and 35, respectively. The song also charted in the United States, reaching No. 43 on the Billboard Hot 100, and in Canada, where it reached No. 28 on the RPM Top Singles chart. Additionally, it was a number two hit on the European Dance Radio Chart and a number four hit on the Billboard Hot Dance Club Play chart. Its music video was directed by Jean-Baptiste Mondino.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I Wanna Hold On to You</span> 1993 single by Mica Paris

"I Wanna Hold on to You" is a song by British singer-songwriter Mica Paris, released in May 1993 as the second single from her third studio album, Whisper a Prayer (1993). Co-written by Paris with Narada Michael Walden and Sally Jo Dakota, it peaked at number 27 on the UK Singles Chart and number five on Music Week's Dance Singles chart.

References

  1. McDermott, Matt (April 4, 2020). "'Bounce, Rock, Skate, Roll' and 'Break 4 Love' creator Vaughan Mason dies aged 69". Resident Advisor . Retrieved June 30, 2020.
  2. Masterton, James (April 20, 2019). Chart Watch UK: Hits of 1989. James Masterton. ISBN   9780463138571 . Retrieved July 15, 2020 via Google Books.
  3. Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 451. ISBN   1-904994-10-5.
  4. 1 2 "Chart History - Raze: DANCE CLUB SONGS". Billboard . Archived from the original on June 9, 2022. Retrieved July 15, 2020.
  5. "Chart History - Raze: HOT R&B/HIP-HOP SONGS". Billboard . Archived from the original on June 9, 2022. Retrieved July 15, 2020.
  6. 1 2 "Raze - full Official Chart History". Official Charts Company . Retrieved July 15, 2020.