Songwriter and vocalist Diane Charlemagne has died.
Charlemagne found fame as singer of the British outfit Urban Cookie Collective where she had top ten hits with The Key The Secret (1993 / #2 U.K.) and Feels Like Heaven (1993 / #5 U.K.). Her wonderful soul voice was also prominent on other drum & bass hits, including Goldie tunes like Inner City Life (1994 / #39 U.K.) and Kemistry.
A label message read:
I’m very sorry to have to announce the death of Diane Charlemagne. Diane passed away this afternoon surrounded by her family after losing her brave battle with cancer.
The release of her last record It’s In Your Eyes featuring Andy Rourke of The Smiths and remixed by Youth, will go ahead on November 20th as planned, with the proceeds going to Diane’s family.
It’s In Your Eyes is a slice of sophisticated urban soul featuring iconic Moss Side singer Diane Charlemagne (Moby, Urban Cookie Collective, Goldie) and Simon Wolstencroft, long term member of The Fall and Ian Brown’s drummer.
On hearing the demo of the track, Andy Rourke, iconic bass player and member of The Smiths joined the collective to lay down some of his signature bass lines, underpinning the infectious melody. Strings come courtesy of ex-Elbow and I Am Kloot’s Jote Osahn, making this a real Mancunian tour de force.
The track was produced by Mike Bennett (The Fall, Ian Brown, The Specials and Kim Fowley), arranged and engineered by Pete Booker (The Kinks, Justin Timberlake and East 17) and has been remixed by Youth who has produced a powerful Drum and Bass version of the track.
The Band:
Diane Charlemagne – Lead Vocal & Background Vocals
Andy Rourke – Bass
Simon Wolstencroft – Drums & Odyssey
Pete Booker – Jupiter 6 – Moog Voyager, Virus TI, Guitar & Background Vocals
Mike Bennett – Background Vocals, Guitar & VCS 3
Jote Osahn – 5 String Violin
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