Page 20 - Zone Magazine Issue 021

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A ngie is a true performer, she has the ability to adapt and change the sound of her voice to fit most styles of music. Her years of training both as an actress and session singer coupled with pure dedication means her sound goes from being a very cute nasal one to seductive sixties sound that is great to hear on pop songs. The sound that Angie is most known for though is the all powerful dynamite house, soul and gospel diva one which can also translate down to a
beautiful refreshing almost childlike airy voice but with a touch of smokiness that works on ballads and jazzier tracks.
Every artiste needs a big break and Angie’s came in the early nineties when she was freelancing for an agency in an attempt to become known. Then came Bizarre Inc. who were looking for a big voice to perform their next track following the success of “Playing with knives”. One audition and three months later the “I’m Gonna Get You” was mixed and the pre-sales were 45,000, it went straight into the UK National charts at #17 and finally rested at #2.
With the success of this track Angie was able to launch a full time career as a vocalist and now appears sometimes as a featured artiste or more recently on all new projects actually co-writes tracks with the DJ or producer as well as performs them. Examples of her work in more recent times can be heard on various labels including Hed Kandi, Milk & Sugar, Krafted and Mark Knight’s Toolroom Records.
We caught up with Angie straight after her performance at Krafted’s event at Gigalum in London in April, where she well and truly demonstrated why she is one of the UK’s best vocalists. The event was set alight by her huge vocals and certainly created some memories for all that attended.
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There’s been a huge number of events that have been booking artists who made a name for themselves during the 90’s, do you think house music has gone full circle musically?
In all honesty, I think that house music has gone full circle, but saying that, it has NEVER ever gone away. I always hear ‘I’m Gonna Get You’, (IGGU) on the radio. Whether it be a current show, drive-time... or show that dips into the rave era and showcases 90s artists, IGGU has never gone away. And yes, it was massive hit globally especially in America, and I still get a nice little royalty cheque for the airplay across the pond.
IGGU is always on any dance compilation. I think the British public has a little fascination as to what 90s artists look like. if I am speaking truthfully, it was very much more about the DJs... The DJs back then were the rock gods so to speak. Hence there’s always lots of 90’s DJs listed at 90’s festivals and events, well before any 90’s artists.
So, when audiences enjoy live music events and festivals, as they’ve seen the 60s, 70s, 80s, artists but they, cannot always put a face to most 90s artists... There is a demand forest 90’s music, as it is associated with feelgood, and that means people will never get tired of hearing 90’s croons!!!
Thinking back, how did you feel when you heard the news that I’m Gonna Get You hit the UK and also the US charts?
When I heard the news, that IGGU had entered the charts, as well as getting full rotation on daytime radio, I felt ecstatic and so happy. Back then if you had an appearance
on TV, like ‘Top Of The Pops (BBC) or Chart Show (ITV) or Dance Energy (BBC2) or America’s Top Ten, it was a really really exciting times, a very big deal... that was when TV was enjoyed and watched by millions and the whole family would watch TV together .
It’s an unbelievable feeling, when you first have a massive hit on your hands. it’s on par emotionally as when your first child is born, or passing your driving test first time around... There are no words to describe that feeling of sheer euphoria! Especially when I knew there are millions of artists, who would love that to happen to them.
Your parents were born in Jamaica,
have you ever been to find their
roots?
Yes my parents were born in Jamaica, they are from the Windrush Generation who settled in the UK in the 1950s. I have been there a few times, and when I was younger visited grandparents and also went to where they lived in Kingston as a young couple.
So I have delved into their roots, but there still more to be done, and I guess it’s so much easier to look back in history if you use the Internet... so I’m sure I’ll look into it some more especially when my boys start asking questions!
If you were planning your last gig and you had to choose two artists to perform with, who would they be (dead or alive)?
luckily my two favorite artists that I would love to sing with, are still alive. Stevie wonder, and Aretha Franklin. Those two magical, wonderful voices would just be my most fantastic gig ever!!!
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