Afro Medusa
Also known asAfro Angel
GenresClassic House, Dance, Electronic
Years active1999 - 2014
LabelsAzuli Records, suSU, Beautiful Noise!, Decadent Records, AfroMedusa Music

Afro Medusa is a British dance music group that was initially formed by Isabel Fructuoso, Nick Bennett and Patrick Cole. They placed two songs on the US Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart, beginning with “Pasilda”, which hit No. 1 in 2000.[1] In 2002, they climbed to No. 26 with “Dreams” and, in 2008, they released “Oracle” with Cherie as vocalist.[2]

“Pasilda” also reached number 31 in the UK Singles Chart in October 2000.[3]

History

Afro Medusa formed in the late 1990s when Isabel Fructuoso moved from Spain to London, where she met Patrick Cole and Nick Bennett, who were known as “Funkmasters”. Fructuoso, who at the time was a Latin / funk / jazz musician, was introduced to electronic music through Cole and Bennett.[4] In 1999, Afro Medusa first released “Pasilda”, which quickly gained popularity on UK and US club scenes over the following year, especially after appearing at Miami’s Winter Music Conference in March 2000.[5] “Pasilda” hit #1 on the Billboard Hot Dance Music charts in November 2000.[6][7] After the success of “Pasilda”, Afro Medusa toured around the world, performing in various clubs and festivals.[4] The group released their next successful track, “Dreams”, in 2002, and it hit #26 on the Billboard charts.

The group then moved to suSU, a sublabel of Concept Music, and was renamed Afro Angel.[8] On her personal website, Fructuoso wrote that she, Cole, and Bennett spent a week together in a barn in Oxford to write the songs that they would potentially release under this new name.[9] “Join Me Brother” was released in 2002 by suSU in the UK and by Tommy Boy Silver Label in the US. Another song titled “Magic” was signed by suSU, but it was not released until 2004.[8]

By 2005, Fructuoso had left the group and devoted her talents to other projects. Cole and Bennett continued the project by bringing on other vocalists. In 2007, Heidi Vogel was featured on “Pasilda Pt II: Come A Little Closer”. In 2008, Cherrie Harris was featured on “Oracle” and “Tonight”. Finally, in 2014, Emily Dell was featured on “Diving In Your Soul”.[2] No other music has been released by the group to date.

Discography

Singles and EPs

  • “Calling” (1999)
  • “Pasilda” (1999)
  • “Dreams” (2002)
  • “Join Me Brother” (2002, Afro Angel)
  • “Magic” (2004, Afro Angel)
  • “Beautiful Thing” (2005)
  • “The Singles” (2006)
  • “Pasilda Pt II: Come A Little Closer” (2007)
  • “Oracle” (2008)
  • “Tonight” (2008)
  • “Diving In Your Soul” (2014)

See also

References

  1. ↑ Whitburn, Joel (2004). Hot Dance/Disco: 1974–2003. Record Research. p. 17.
  2. 1 2 "Afro Medusa | Discography". Discogs.com. Retrieved 11 December 2023.
  3. ↑ Roberts, David. Guinness Book of British Hit Singles & Albums. Guinness World Records Ltd 17th edition (2004), p. 16 ISBN 0-85112-199-3
  4. 1 2 "Isabel Fructuoso - Biography". web.archive.org. 12 March 2009. Retrieved 14 December 2023.
  5. ↑ Paoletta, Michael (21 October 2000). "Dance TRAX". Billboard. 112 (43): 33 – via ProQuest Entertainment Industry Magazine Archive.
  6. ↑ "HOT DANCE MUSIC". Billboard. 112 (47): 38. 18 November 2000 – via ProQuest Entertainment Industry Magazine Archive.
  7. ↑ "HOT DANCE MUSIC". Billboard. 112 (48): 38. 25 November 2000 – via ProQuest Entertainment Industry Magazine Archive.
  8. 1 2 "Afro Angel | Discography". Discogs.com. Retrieved 11 December 2023.
  9. ↑ "Isabel Fructuoso - Dance tracks". web.archive.org. 9 March 2009. Retrieved 14 December 2023.


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