Linear

Miami based group Linear burst onto the pop charts in 1990 w/ their top 5 hit Sending All My Love. From what little info I could find, the song was originally part of lead singer Charlie "Steele" Pennachio's debut release on Futura International Records. After entering the pop charts Atlantic signed him to a deal. What I'm confused about is how the other 2 members of the band became involved? Or was the group already established. Hmmm. The other two members were Joey "Bang" Restivo and Wyatt "Riot" Pauley. Producer and songwriter Tolga (who had many freestyle hits of his own) is also sometimes credited as having been a member of the band. Not sure how accurate this is, but he did co-write and produce Sending All My Love as well as the entire album. A second single Don't You Come Crying stalled at #70. A third single failed to chart (Something Going On). By the time the band's second album w/ Atlantic was released in 1992, it was obvious they had moved away from their freestyle roots and went for all out pop sound. The lead single T.L.C. failed to match the chart succes of ...Love but did crack the US top 40 when it peaked at #30. I can not find any info about any more subsequent releases from this album. In 1994 a cover of Sly Fox's Let's Go All The Way was released as Linear featuring Charlie Steele. Not much has been heard from the group as a whole since, but it seems that the members have been keeping themselves busy. Charlie went on to write for artists such as Anastacia, Mandy Moore, Big & Rich as well as producing and being a talent scout for country singer Jon Rich (which explains why he was on an episode of Celebrity Apprentice). Charlie can be contacted via his myspace page. Joey Restivo has also turned to production. Most notable producing his brother Antonio's Las Vegas act. He can also be found on myspace. Wyatt Pauley seems to be doing the music thing as well. All I could really find was an interview in 2007 talking about the music business. Also check out the remastered best of release The Best of Wyatt Pauley and Friends: Freestyle From The Top which you can purchase on amazon.com. I leave you with Linear and their infamous mullets:




Finishedproduct by ktsarasota

4-Fun

Do you ever get a song stuck in your head and just can't remember who sang it? Or what it's even called? That's what happened to me with today's group 4-Fun. Does anyone remember in the early 90s when they tried launching a VHS version of a teen magazine? I don't remember what it was called. But for some reason I was selected to become a charter subscriber. Maybe it was due to my subscription to BOP magazine at the time? Anyhoo one segment featured a newly departed from Kids Incorporated, Stacy Ferguson (aka Fergie). In it she and her friends (including Renee Sandstrom and Stefanie Ridel who she would later form Wild Orchid with) are having a pool party. At said pool party the song You Can't Play Me by 4-Fun was played throughout. I remember buying the CD as a result. At least somebody did. Anyhoo it seems they had this one sole single. Their debut album, The Unbelievable Fun Boys was released in 1991 by EastWest Records. Their sound was 100% New Jack Swing. I can't physically locate my CD right now to even look up the credits, but I was able to found out that Ralph Tresvant was one of the producers. Like I said earlier, they had one single that came and went. Not even sure if it charted anywhere. I leave you with the video. It's pure early 90s cheese. Looks like it was filmed at a mall. Merry-Go-Round fashions and all.

Steve Best

I was recently looking at my posts and noticed that 9 out of 10 of my posts are female artists! What do you expect from a gay guy? LOL. So that brings me to today's post. A male artist! Yet I have NO IDEA who he is. Do any of you? His name is Steve Best and from what I can gather he is a one single wonder. His single The Way You Want It came up as a suggested purchase on itunes after I had bought another 90s single. From what little I could find, he is Canadian and was featured on a compilation put out by BOP magazine called, get this, BOP Boys. It was released on Interhit Records in 1998. Tried searching for him online and am coming up empty. Anyone? If you want the single and it's many remixes you can still buy them on itunes.

I know I've been slacking on updating this blog. Looking at last year's archives, I only did 4 posts. That's just sad. I promise to update more often. I have some upcoming interviews with some missing pop stars that you guys will be very excited to read. Thank you to everyone who's been reading this blog over the years. If you haven't already, become a fan of this blog on facebook.

Strange Ké

It's been forever since I've last updated. Shame on me I know. Today I wanted to write about one of my fave no-hit artists. I remember finding the promo CD single Strange World at a used cd store. I immediately loved it and found out that the singer Ké had just released an album. The album was titled I Am [ ] . Released in 1995, the single didn't fare well on the Billboard charts, it did however become a top 5 dance hit thanks to remixes by Junior Vasquez. It did however go on to become a huge European hit. It became the #1 single of 1996 in Italy. A second single came and went, Someday. Ké's real name is Kevin Grivois. He looked like a 90s Calvin Klein model and kinda sounded like a chick when he sang. But that was what made him so appealing. The album is probably one of my faves of the mid-90s. If you've never heard it, give it a try (come on it's only 1¢ on amazon used).

A follow up was released in Europe in 1998 entitled Shine. Two singles were released, You Don't Know Me and Believer. I am guessing a US release was planned and then shelved as I own an advance promo copy of it. What was w/ RCA shelving albums left and right in the late 90s (Danielle Brisebois, Wild Orchid, etc.)? A third album came and went in 2001 entitled Better Way of Living. Released on the indie label Schizo Music, it now goes for big bucks on eBay. Not much has been heard from Kevin since then.

Or so I thought. While writing for this piece I found a brilliant profile done back in 2008 where Ké/Kevin talks about everything from his failed big label music career, to being too gay for the mainstream America and the new found audience his single Strange World has found. Check it out here! You can also check out what he's doing now by visiting his myspace page. From what I can see he seems to be going by the monkier onetribe. Glad to see he's still doing his thing, as a talent like his needs to be heard.

I leave you with the video for Strange World...





and Someday...

L.A. Star

I honestly don't remember L.A. Star from back in the day. Which shocks me, as I was and always have been all about female MC's. I became intrigued by her after seeing her daughter, Rece Steele, compete on VH1's 2008 reality competition Miss Rap Supreme. Not only did I find myself rooting for her daughter, but I couldn't help but remembering how excited judge MC Serch was when he found out who her mom was. It wasn't until last year that I was at a used CD store (remember those?) and found a copy of L.A. Star's lone album Poetess in a clearance bin did I take the plunge so to say. What I found was an album that I could not stop listening to.

What little info I could find was that her real name is Lisa Ali. Her one and only album was released on Profile Records in 1990 entitled Poetess. Produced by The Hollywood Impact, Little Louie Vega, Kirth Atkins and Michael 'Dr Shock' Thomas the album was a female's point of view of gangsta life. I had no luck finding any chart info on the album or its singles. From what I can tell there were two singles in the US, Fade to Black and Swing To The Beat. In the UK the single N.P.T. Posse was also released. Again no chart info can be found for any of these releases. Dear readers let me know of any info you might have to help fill in the blanks. As for what's become of Ms Star and why she quit the rap game, that's where I'm hoping you guys can be of help.

If I recall correctly, when her daughter was on Miss Rap Supreme she mentioned her mother being disalusioned with the music industry, thus resulting in her only releasing one album. Sad because she was a great MC.

I leave you with two videos I could find. The first the video for Fade To Black featuring a young Rece Steele:

Here is the video for Swing To The Beat:

You can also check out her daughter Rece Steele's myspace page.

Freestyle Paradise

I love Freestyle music with all my heart. It's one of the trashiest, cheesiest genres ever to exist in the history of music. With that said some of the artists of said genre are exactly the kind we love here at Milk Carton Pop Stars. Case in point the ladies of Laissez Faire. After the original line-up fell through, Metropolitan Records (home to April, Lil' Suzy and Giggles to name a few) sought out a new line-up for it's girl group. If Exposé were the top of the girl group totem pole, then Laissez Faire, well they were like the dirt the totem pole was impaled on. But that's why we love them so.

Jennifer (Castle), Marlo and Gina would make the final cut. Their debut album Hands Off was produced by Joey Gold (who just 2 years previous had a freestyle single out called Devil In My Heart) and was a freestyle dream come true. Cheesy beats, huge hair and nasal vocals. What more could you ask for? The album's lone mainstream "hit" was the single In Paradise. While deemed a freestyle classic by many, it only managed to peak at #65 in February of 1992. Subsequent singles also faired well in club land but failed to light the Billboard Hot 100 on fire (To Be In Your Arms, Round & Round, Swept Away).

After their debut album came and went not much has been heard from the ladies. They did some reunion shows in 2000 at a few Freestyle reunion shows. I haven't been able to find much info on the ladies. Lead singer Jennifer Castle went on to be model and dance professionally. In 2004 she started her own business Exquisite Entertainment, Inc. which provides entertainment for special events. Little has been heard from Marlo. Gina went on to record under the name Ariel, including a trance version of the Bee Gees's song Woman In Love in 2000. Readers can you help us out?

In the meantime I leave you with their glorious low budget epic In Paradise. Awhile back my dearest Grant referred to it as a "1-900 ad for tranny hookers". Enjoy the hair! The moves! The guido love interest! It's like a lost episode of Jersey Shore!

In Paradise @ Yahoo! Video

Kevin Paige

Another post?? Yes! Another male pop singer?? Why yes! Today we bring you late 80s/early 90s pop singer Kevin Paige. Born October 10, 1966 in Memphis, TN. According to All Music Guide I was able to find the following info about his beginnings:

The youngest of nine children, his father was a radio singer for NBC during the 1940s. After earning consecutive All-State drummer honors in high school, Paige gigged with a number of local bands, includingthe Press, Xavion, and Finger Print before mounting a solo career and signing to Chrysalis in 1989 to release his self-titled debut LP

Kevin's debut single was Don't Shut Me Out. With it's mix of dance, pop, r&b, funk, etc. it was destined to be a hit. It was. It peaked at #18 on the Billboard Hot 100 during the fall of 1989.

The 2nd single was Anything I Want and was just as eclectic as his debut. By spring of 1990 Kevin scored his second Top 40 hit with the song peaking at #29. For whatever reason a third single never saw the light of day. If it did I certainly don't remember it. What little info I could find only mentioned these two singles. The success of these two singles was enough for this self-titled debut album (did I mention he wrote, produced and arranged it?) to peak at #107 on the Billboard 200. Apparently he also opened for Deborah 'Debbbie' Gibson back in the day. On a side note, I saw both the Out Of the Blue and Electric Youth tour and I don't ever remember him opening for her. Milwaukee (my hometown) must have gotten jipped!

So after making a sizable dent on the charts, you'd think a follow-up was inevitable. So the google search began. What do you know.

WE FOUND HIM!

Turns out he's still performing. He and his wife, Bethany Paige, perform every Friday & Saturday at Alfred's On Beale in Memphis! So what has Mr. Paige been doing w/ himself all these years? Turns out he's been writing songs for other acts (i.e. Martina McBride) as well as releasing several Christian albums. The duo has released their latest Dangerous Kind which can be purchased via the duo's official website. Who knew?

Let's take a trip back in time and revisit Kevin's two top 40 hits. First up Don't Shut Me Out:

Anything I Want...

North, South, East, Wes?

The early 90s were flooded by throwaway popstars. Many were brought to us by Maurice Starr (the man behind 80s boy bands New Edition and New Kids On The Block). Today's missing pop star is Rick Wes. I honestly don't remember too much about this guy other than that he was in all the teen mags around the time of his debut. He was part of the whole New Kids circle of acts (Perfect Gentlemen, Tommy Page, etc.). I don't even know if his real name is Rick. That's besides the point. His debut album (cleverly titled) North, South, East and Wes was released in 1990 on Columbia Records. The album's first single North, South, East and West failed to chart according to Billboard.com (as did his further releases). A second single Don'tchu Wanna Rock came and went as well. The album was named the worst album of 1990 by Entertainment Weekly. Ouch!

This record — sung by a teenage Elvis clone — may well be the shallowest album ever made. What's most amazing, though, is that it was produced by Maurice Starr, inventor of New Kids on the Block, who, if nothing else, is a seasoned pro. Nearly as astounding is that the record's opening track is quite literally a commercial, a hype-filled promotion for the hapless music that follows.

A follow up, Possession, followed in 1991. Released on then new label Hollywood Records, it quickly found its way to the cut-out bins of record stores across America despite the hunky album cover. Don't you miss cut-out bins?

(l-r: debut CD, North, South, East & West single cover, Don'tchu Wanna Rock promo single, Possesion CD)

So where is Rick now? No one seems to know. Any idea readers? In the meantime I leave you with the glory that was North, South, East & West...

North, South, East, West @ Yahoo! Video

But it gets better. Check out the video for Don'tchu Wanna Rock. What fine acting!

Don't You Wanna Rock @ Yahoo! Video

Ricca

The theme for my most recent posts seem to be flop acts. This next group is a CD I've seen in used cd stores for years and never got around to buying. Finally the last time I saw it I said what hell and plucked down a $1 for it. The name of group was Ricca and they released their self-titled debut on Epic Records in 1994. I honestly don't remember this group being around, which is shocking because I was all about girl groups back in the day. It would make sense because by the mid 90s the wave of popularity many girl groups enjoyed only a few years before was pretty much over. Unlike the majority of Latina girl groups that came before them (Sweet Sensation, The Cover Girls, etc.) their album was heavily R&B and not dance/pop like one would expect (not to say they weren't some dancier tracks included but they tend to lean more towards new jack swing). The album pretty much came and went, not charting on any Billboard charts. Two singles were released and from what info I could find they didn't chart as well. They included Any Love and Such A Rush. Like I said the album is very mid 90s R&B sounding with some tracks even leaning towards New Jack Swing. It's a shame as the album was good, with catchy hooks and slick production.









(L-R: Ricca CD; Such a Rush 12"; Any Love CD single)

The group was comprised of Natalie Soltren, Elisa Soltren and Teresa Rodrigues. While searching on info as to what happened to the ladies of Ricca, I pretty much came empty handed. That is until I was able to find some info on member Teresa. Teresa if the voice of BabyBaby, a website that creates custom lullabies. According to her bio after Ricca disbanded she went on to sing backup for the likes of DLG and Joe McIntyre. She currently is a member of the Connecticut based band Pandemonium. You can check out their myspace page or their official website. As for the remaining 2 ladies, whom I am guessing are sisters, not much is known about them. So if any of you know what's become of the gals of Ricca please let us know!

Def Dames

To make up for lack of posts lately I'm trying to do several today. Up next is another group I didn't discover until recently. The neon pink and green of Def Dames's album cover 2-4 The Bass literally screamed at me while I was at a music store not too long ago (they are a dying breed so I try and support them when I can). The cheap price and the even cheaper cover was all it took to purchase the album. The release is from 1989 on the indie label Sedona Recording Company. Def Dames (not to be confused with 90s Euro dance act Def Dames Dope) were Kandy Kane and Special T (which by today's standards sound like either stripper or porn star names...actually they probably sounded this way in 1989). From what little I could find (mostly via billboard.com) the album peaked at #76 on the R&B Album Chart. It also spawned two singles that charted on the Hot Rap Singles Chart. 976-Boom peaked at #19 while Set It Off (wonder if Peaches was a fan?) peaked at #20. The album is über cheesy bass/electro rap which was never really taken that seriously back in the day, but it's cheesiness lives on. Of note the song Work It even pokes fun of Salt N Pepa and L'Trimm (which is quite ironic since this album doesn't sound that far off from L'Trimm at times).







(L-R; 2 4 The Bass CD; Set It Off 12"; 2 Large CD; The King Of Romance 12")

They followed up their debut with 2 Large. This album failed to chart but yielded at least two singles The King of Romance (which peaked at #20 on the Hot Rap Singles Chart) and Whip It, which you can guess samples Devo's hit heavily. After this album came and went it seems like the ladies of Def Dames pretty much disappeared. What little info I was able to find was via this myspace page which seems to be run by their old producer/discoverer DJ Sparkle. Not much is said about the two ladies that made up the duo, but apparently two new ladies (Tish 'n' Playette) are now part of Def Dames and have a new album coming out soon. That's all fine and dandy, but what about Kandy Kane and Special T? Faithful readers I'm hoping someone can help us out or even give more insight into the group. In the meantime I was able to find the following videos on youtbe. God bless the internet.

First up is Whip It:




Next up, The King Of Romance:

Three Shades Brown

First off sorry for the lack of updates. To say I've been neglecting this blog is an understatement. But I know there are peeps out there that actually care about this kinda stuff so I must comply :) Without further a do I present the following.

Now this next group I know absolutely NOTHING about. They are called Three Shades Brown and they seem to have released but one album in 1992 on Interscope Records. I found their cd at a used cd store for a $1 and could not pass it up. They had me at the early 90s fasions. Their sole album was entitled Stronger Than Strong and was produced by The Funky Mercenaries (better known as Jesse Johnson of the Time). It peaked at #98 on the Billboard R&B album charts. Let me tell you this is album is an early 90s R&B dream come true!! Very New Jack Swing (so you know I love it). The group itself was comprised of former Jesse Johnson backup vocalist Kim Cage on lead vocals, Christi Thornton was the lead rapper and Leah Johnson was the backup vocalist. From what little info I was able to find it seems they released one single entitled Nasty Bass. From searching Billboard's datebase it did not chart...but if someone knows otherwise please tell! I tried searching on the members to see what they're up to now and came up w/ nothing. So I am hoping some of my faithful readers can help me out.


(L-R: Strong Than Strong CD; Nasty Bass 12")

I could not find any video footage either, just this fan made clip. At least you can hear what they sound like...

For Real

R&B vocal group For Real were formed in 1993 and was comprised of Wendi Williams, Latanyia Baldwin, Josina Elder and Necia Bray. By 1994 the group dropped its debut album It's a Natural Thang on A&M Records. Their debut single was Easy To Love and it reached #60 on the Billboard Hot 100. Subsequent singles scored even better including You Don't Know Nothin' (#27) and You Don't Wanna Miss (#28).

After releasing their debut album they collaborated with Stevie Wonder (with whom they also went on tour). By 1995 they scored a Top 20 hit, Freedom, which featured Aaliyah, TLC, En Vogue, BlackGirl, SWV, and Vanessa Williams from the movie Panther. It was their inclusion on the Waiting To Exhale soundtrack that would land them a deal with Rowdy Records.

I personally didn't come to know of this group until the first single from their sophmore album, Like I Do. A throwback to the 1960's Motown sound. Suprisingly the song only peaked at #72 on the Billboard Hot 100. A second single The Saddest Song I Ever Heard peaked at #65. By 1997 the group would contribute to the film Grace Of My Heart.

By 1999 the group parted ways. Wendi Williams would go on to record the vocals for the singing voice of Introducing Dorothy Dandridge which earned Halle Berry an Emmy and a Golden Globe for best actress.

Not much has been heard from from these ladies since they broke up. Aside for Wendi I haven't been able to find out much info. Can you help us out? All I was able to find was a myspace fan page. Meanwhile let's enjoy some of the group's music videos.

First up Easy to Love:




The video for Like I Do:

Jeremy Jordan

In 1993 Jeremy Jordan exploded onto the music scene via the popular teen drama Beverly Hills 90210. Included on the soundtrack to the show, his video was shown during the closing credits and in the process helped the Indiana native become a teen mag sex symbol. With his model good looks (and his apparent dislike of shirts), Jeremy's afore mentioned debut single The Right Kind Of Love peaked at #14 on the Billboard Hot 100. A second single Wannagirl also made the Top 40 peaking at #28. Both singles fared well in Australia as well peaking at #5 and #22 respectively. Two more singles were pulled from this album but did not chart, Try My Love & My Love Is Good Enough. Despite two Top 40 singles Jeremy's deubt album Try My Love only peaked at #176 on the Billboard 200 Album Chart. After his singing career fizzled out, Jeremy tried his hand at acting. Appearing in films like Nowhere, Never Been Kissed (where he sang on the film's soundtrack), Leaving Las Vegas, Dreamers, etc. It's been nearly 10 years since his last role. Not much has been heard from Mr. Jordan since then. Rumours of his whereabouts have plagued internet message boards ever since. When searching for this piece, I was only able to find that there is a gay porn actor with the same name. So anyone know what's become of Mr. Jordan?






(L-R: Try My Love CD; The Right Kind Of Love CD single; Wanna Girl CD single; My Love Is Good Enough 12")


While we wait let's relive some of his music video moments:

Jeremy Jordan - The Right Kind Of Love
Uploaded by abessolo

Jeremy Jordan - Wannagirl
Uploaded by abessolo

I'm With The DJ

After a quick visit to remix source I was reminded how much I loved a forgotten 90s dance ditty by the name of DJ Girl. "Excuse me? Excuse me? Excuse me Mr. Bouncer!" Who could forget those infamous opening lines to this club smash. Katalina was signed to the California dance label Thump Records. Quite honestly the only reason I even knew of this label was because of their issuing of a Stacey Q greatest hits. And speaking of Ms. Q...long time collaborator Jon St. James was responisible for the bulk of Katalina's one and only album, Sonic Grooves. But I digress...Katalina's debut single was entitled DJ Girl and was an anthem for girlfriends of DJs around the globe. The song peaked at #86 on the Billboard Hot 100. Not sure of it's club chart peak as Billboard's chart link seems to be down at the time of this writing. But you can check that out later for yourself by clicking here. Like I mentioned before a large bulk of her debut album was produced by Jon St. James while the rest were produced by Carlo Zanella. The album straddled the lines between dance, pop, freestyle, synth-pop, etc. Two more singles were released, the title-track Sonic Groove and You'll Be My Future. Neither did much either chart wise. After this album came and went, little has been heard from Katalina. That's where you, are trusty readers come in. Got any info on her whereabouts? Let us know! Are you in fact Katalina and reading this, let us know what you're up to! We'd love to know.







(L-R: Sonic Groove CD; DJ Girl CD Single; Sonic Groove CD Single; You'll Be My Future CD Single)

Unfortunately we were unable to locate the video online to share with you all. Let us all cry in silence.

UPDATE...

I was snooping around IMDB and lo and behold found some more info. Katalina's real name is Kara Wethington and is from Chicago. According to the site here is some more background info:

She was working part time at a recording studio when a vocalist failed to show up for a session. The producer asked her to sit in and do a scratch vocal. After only 10 minutes it was obvious that DJ Girl was a smash and Katalina had a career.

They also state she sang on a song called Wish Me Well with the band The Bouncing Souls and appeared as a singer in the 1999 film Simply Irresistible billed under her real name. Who knew?

UPDATE NO. 2

After doing even more digging around, we were able to get in touch w/ Kara, aka Katalina, and she had this message to share with our readers:

Just want everyone to know that I am now a fashion publicist who gets to work with bands that inspired me growing up.

I still make cameo appearances on various artists albums and will be singing with the Bouncing Souls again for the first time in over 8 years at the Bamboozle show at the Verizon Wireless show in Irvine - April 5.

For more on the Bouncing Souls click here. Thanks so much to Kara for sharing that with our readers. If you're in her neck of the woods for that upcoming show, check it out and tell her Milk Carton Pop Stars sent ya!

Teen Dream

I really don't know much about this group. I vaguely remember seeing the album back in the day. I picked up this CD at a flea market for a mere $1...boy am I glad I did! This is a funky r&b/dance/pop girl group that should have been huge! This is what little info I could found out about the group was from the actual CD. The three ladies that made up Teen Dream were Lisa, Nikki & Terri and they hail from Columbus, Ohio. For whatever reason they are constantly referred to as bitties and phrases like throwin' down, get live, mixin' 'n' relaxin', fresh, hittin' hard & freeze it are sprinkled throughout. Basically the artwork (and even the font) looks like an 1987 issue of Seventeen magazine.

Anyhoo back to the gals. Their debut single was Let's Get Busy which featured Valentino. From what info I was able to gather, Valentino is indeed actor Michael DeLorenzo. (Source) According to Billboard.com the group never even charted w/ any of the singles released from this album (something I find a little hard to believe...so if anyone has any other chart facts let us know).

(L-R: Let's Get Busy LP; Slip-Slide 12"; Let's Get Busy 12", Toy 12")

But back to their debut album. It was executive produced by Chris Powell & Benny Medina (Medina as you may or may not know has gone on to represent people like Jennifer Lopez & Tyra Banks) and released by Warner Bros. Records. Subsequent singles were released, Slip-Slide and Toy, but failed to do anything chart wise. By 1990 the group was signed to the label Muscle Shoals Sound Records (huh?) and released a single entitled Games which spent 4 weeks on the Billboard R&B charts peaking at #90. Needless to say the label went under and so did this project. Though it seems an album did get released and is deemed very rare. Only one of the original members remained for this release with 2 new replacements. As to who stayed and who left remains a mystery. So what's become of the ladies of Teen Dream? Who knows!!! But that's why wer'e here to found out. So if you're out there ladies let us know what you're up to! BTW...they would be perfect for our sister blog, The Isle of Deserted Pop Stars run by our very own Grant.

React

Produced by The Berman Brothers (known for their work w/ Real McCoy), 1998 saw the release of React's self-titled debut album. Made of up of two former models (makes sense, cause if I recall I only bought their single because I thought they were cute), Timothy Cruz and Daniel Metreyeon, their album spanwed 2 singles Can't Keep My Hands Off You and Let's Go All The Way.

While neither song did much chart wise (...All The Way peaked at #3 on the Bubbling Under Chart in Billboard and hit #4 on the Club Charts) it must be noted that they had some FIERCE remixes! The Vission & Lorrimer Extended Mix of Can't Keep My Hands Off You alone is worth a visit to amazon.com. It shouldn't come to any surprise with the Berman Bros. on board, but I'll be honest, their album was not what I was expecting at all. The signature dance sound of their previous efforts (Real McCoy, She Moves) was replaced by a more teen pop sound. Check it out for yourself:




It's been about 10 years since this album came and went, so I got to wondering what ever became of the boys of React. After doing a little digging around, it didn't take much to find them. A quick visit to discogs.com lead me in the right direction.



Finding info on Daniel was a little more difficult probably because he now goes by the name Daniel Metrey. Seems he has been writing and producing for other acts over the years. The exact details are a little vague on his myspace page. He had a song featured in the film Laws Of Attraction and is currently working on his own album. You can visit his myspace page at http://www.myspace.com/danielmetrey




The other half of React was Timothy Cruz who goes by Timothy Andrew Cruz now. After the group disbanded, Tim went on to join the boyband B3 which had a lot of success in Germany. They were most noted for their cover of the Bee Gees I.O.I.O.



After 4 albums the band broke up and Tim is now a solo artist. You can visit his official site at http://www.tim-cruz.com/




From what I can tell Tim's current music is very far removed from his boy band past. It's nice to know that some of these forgotten acts are still doing their thing.

Tara Kemp

While some might argue that the early 90s were flooded with female singers on the charts, I'd like to take a moment in bask in those glory days. Ok moment is up. Now let's find out what became of Tara Kemp. Born Tara Leslye Kemp May 11, 1970 in Livermore, CA Kemp came out of nowhere with her debut hit "Hold You Tight". With her pop and new jack lite sound she took the Billboard Hot 100 by storm peaking at # 3. The song also fared well on the R&B charts peaking at #4. (Source)

Check out the rare 1st version of the video:



The more well known 2nd version:



Lightening struck twice with her follow up "Piece Of My Heart" which also made the Top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 peaking at #7. (Source)




A third single came and went entitled "Too Much". It failed to set the charts on fire and stalled at #95. (Source)


All three of these songs were from Tara's self-titled debut album.



Released on Giant Records, the album peaked at #109 on the Billboard 200 Album Chart and at #34 on the R&B album charts. (Source)


While fans waited for a follow-up to Tara's self titled debut, Tara appeared on the soundtrack to the 90s hit teen show Beverly Hills 90210 with the track "Action Speaks Louder Than Words". Then in 1992 Tara appeared on the soundtrack to Class Act with the track "Anything You Ask".

After a successful debut, one would think her label would be rushing to release a follow-up. Word is that Tara left Giant in 1992 to record for Nerve Records. A single was released in 1994 entitled "Come Off" and flopped, thus the infamous follow-up never saw the light of day.

It's been about 16 years since her debut. So readers, we ask of you...what became of Tara Kemp? Anyone??? All I was able to find was a fan made myspace profile. Sigh.

Delicious

So if you haven't guessed by now, we've been kinda stuck in the 80s and the early 90s. What can we say...that's the era of pop music we tend to like here @ Milk Carton Pop Stars...so sue us. To mix things up a bit, today I've decided to feature one of my favorite one album wonders of all-time, PURE SUGAR. Comprised of DJs Richard 'Humpty' Vission, Peter Lorimer and vocalist Jennifer Starr.

The first known recording came in 1995 via the Aqua Boogie label under the name Richard "Humpty" Vission Presents Sugar with the single The Feeling.

By 1998 the act was now known as Pure Sugar and signed with Geffen Records. Their debut single was Delicious:



The single stalled at #66 on the Billboard Hot 100 while peaking at #8 on the Billboard Dance Chart.

The video, the group's only video effort as far as we know, was a colorful campy delight:



Subsequent singles failed to set the charts afire, save the Billboard Dance Charts where Hands To Heaven ('98) and These Are The Times ('99) peaked at #8 and at #3 respectively.

All these singles were culled from the group's sole album, the self-titled Pure Sugar.



(Now this is my own personal opinion, but this album has to be one of the BEST dance albums of all time. The beats, the sexy lyrics, THOSE vocals. Pure dance heaven. That's all I can say. If you don't own this album get it today. Hell you can get it for 1¢ used on amazon.com!!)



Aside from their debut, Pure Sugar also appeared on the 1998 soundtrack for the TV series Sabrina The Teenage Witch with a cover of the Waitresses's classic I Know What Boys Like.

After the group disbanded, Vission and Lorimer continued to DJ and create new music, etc. But what became of that soulful, big voiced diva Jennifer Starr? That's what we'd LOVE to know here at Milk Carton Pop Stars. Faithful readers, help us out?

UPDATE:

Jennifer is now a photographer. You can visit her myspace page or her official site to check out some of her work. It's amazing!

Blu

Let's be blunt, the whereabouts of Icy Blue elude even us here at Milk Carton Pop Stars.

With her debut single Pump It Nice 'An Hard (sampling Salt 'N Pepa's Push It), Icy Blu had a brief chart run in the latter half of 1991. She was often called the female Vanilla Ice (though she was much younger than Mr. VanWinkle) and she looked like your average high schooler circa 1991. With her Merry-Go-Round fashions (like you don't remember that store?), and rapping "skills", this teen white girl rapper brought us the afore mentioned gem which we present to you in all its early-90s glory:



The single stalled at #78 on the Billboard Hot 100.



Her second and last single, and probably her best known, was an ode to early 90s teenage love. I Wanna Be Your Girl was a favorite on the now defunct US network, The Box (remember you'd call and for $2.99 they'd play your video choice)...Let's revisit shall we???




Wow. This song didn't fare that much better, as it peaked at #46 on the Billboard Hot 100, and after it ran its course, so did Ms. Blu :(

Both of these singles were taken from her floptastic self-titled debut album:



The album failed to chart and before we knew it Ms. Blu was all but a blip on the pop culture radar. No follow-up, no spot on VH1's Where Are They Now?.

So we turn to you, our faithful readers, anyone got a clue as to what became of Icy Blu? Was her name even Icy?

A'me vs Amy

A'me Lorain burst onto the pop scene at the very end of 1989 and by early 1990 had a huge hit with Whole Wide World. The song was from the soundtrack to the film True Love and would later be featured on A'me's debut album.



It was this single that gave A'me her one-hit wonder status. There were even two videos for the song. The one most people probably remember:



And an alternate version w/ clips from True Love:



After the success of her debut single (which peaked at #9 on the Billboard Hot 100 at #9 on the Billboard Dance Chart), A'me released her debut album as A'me Lorain & The Family Affair entitled Starring In...Standing In A Monkey Sea...



Unfortunately it wasn't much of a seller and failed to chart. Probably explains why it was so readily available in the cut-out bins (remember those?) back in the day. This might have had to due w/ the fact that the majority of the album was nothing like her hit single.

But never fear, a second single was released. Like its predecessor, it was produced by Elliot Wolf.



Follow My Heartbeat was realeased in mid 1990 and peaked at #72 on the Billboard Hot 100. After this single came and went, little has been heard of from Ms. Lorain.

A few years ago while surfing the net I had come across a fan site that seems to have fallen by the wayside. It has stated that A'me was working on new material and even was recording under her given name Amy Trujillo.

She has a website up at amy-trujillo.com. Unfortunately there's been a pre-register for website launch page up for a few years now. Hmm...what's taking so long? If anything there is this photo up at least...



Not much else is known as to her whereabouts or her plans to release new music. I was able to find her brother's website, www.freddytrujillo.com, who it turns out was a member of A'me Lorain & The Family Affair. Wherever you are A'me...or is it Amy....we're waiting for your return.

UPDATE*UPDATE*UPDATE*UPDATE

I was able to track down Amy's brother via his myspace page, asked him what she was up to and here what he had to say:

Amy has been working on an album for an independent label for a while. I am not sure where she is at with it. Otherwise, she was one of the guest on a record, with DJ Muggs from Cypress Hill, a couple of years back. It has kind of a Bjork kind of vibe to it. Check it out! It is called "Dust" by DJ Muggs. I hear they have been playing "Whole Wide World" on a station in L.A.. That is cool! You take care and I will tell Amy to get a move on.

Freddy Trujillo