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Tuesday, May 13th, 2008

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I grew up in Detroit in the 80's ......the birth of Chicago House, and Detroit Techno. Favorite Artists and DJ's include, Derrick May, Martha Wash, Todd Terry, Frankie Knuckles, The Thrillseekers, Armin Van Heldon, AVB, PVD, and New Order.

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This is the Rythm of the Night, but, Who is Corona?

January 13th, 2008 • Related • Filed Under

A Corona to Astronomers, is a celestial heavenly body, that can be seen for millions of miles and is know for registering very high temperatures. Thus, this group is aptly named. Corona, the Dance Music Artists, is well known for taking over the 90’s and heating up dance floors, thrusting heavenly beauties into the forefront of it’s celestial rhythms. (Too much?)
Corona’s Contributing Members:

Francesco Bontempi (author of songs, arrangement, producing, mixing),
Francesco Alberti
Graziano Fanelli (engineering),
Giovanna “Jenny Bee” Bersola, (vocals)
Olga Souza (lipsyncher; later singer),
Sandra Chambers (author of songs/vocals);
Authors of songs - Antonia Bottari, Ivana Spagna, G.Spagna, Annerley Gordon, Fred Di Bonaventura, Gaffurini, V.Marcolin, M.Marcolin, M.Anthony, Michael Gaffey, Pete Glenister, F.Martinelli, A.Puntillo, Marco Baroni, A.Bellucci, L.Ratti, S.Tonelli, N.Heathen, I.G.Off, A.Martin, E.Bertolini, Claudio Silvestri, M.Cimoli, A.Puthli, D.Zimmermann.(engineering),

Back in December of 1993, (gee was it that long ago?), Corona exploded onto the dance floor with their first single, “The Rhythm of the Night”, and stayed #1 on the Italian charts for 13 weeks.

But it wasn’t until 1995, that the single was finally all over the American Clubs and Radio.

I certainly remember when it broke…it was one of the hottest tracks of the time and you couldn’t go anywhere for months , on a Friday or Saturday night without hearing it.

It is not widely known that the verses for “Rhythm of the Night” are taken from a song from a Dutch group , Say When, and their song, “Save Me“, and that Giovanna Bersola (Jenny B), is the true lead vocalists on the track, and that Olga Marie De Souza is lip syncing in the video as well as in the public appearances.

Sandy Chambers, is credited with vocals for the groups releases after 1998 .

Corona’s follow up hit, “Baby, Baby” is actually a remake of a Joy and Joyce song, “Babe, Babe“, and utilizes samples from Siedah Garrets, ” K.I.S.S.I.N.G.“

Now..stay with me…another vocalist..Annerley Gordon is actually credited with vocals on “Rhythm of the Night“-Remixes, according to Discogs.

Kind of confusing? Yeah , to me too, and although it brings back memories of Martha Wash / Black Box / C and C Music Factory fiasco, but with lot more players.

Now…. Corona is produced by

Francesco Bontempi AKA Lee Marrow from 1993 to 2000, and
by Francesco Conte and Paolo Dughero from 2000 to the present.

No matter the substitute ingredients, Corona has the recipe for dance floor hits. “Rhythm of the Night” and “Baby, Baby” are some of my favorite tunes from the 90’s, will probably always be 2 great “Go To’ tracks for any DJ struggling to move the crowd, as well as featured tracks on previous Hed Kandi and Ministry of Sound compilations

Other releases include:

1993 “The Rhythm of the Night” #1 Italy, #1 Israel, #2 UK (1994 release), #3 Ireland, #3 France, #11 US
1995 “Baby Baby” #1 Israel, #5 UK, #16 France, #57 US, #5 Hot Dance US
1995 “Try Me Out” #6 UK, #11 France, #10 Hot Dance Music/Club Play U.S.
1995 “I Don’t Wanna Be A Star” #22 UK, #18 France
1997 “Corona Megamix” #36 UK, #40 France
1997 “The Power Of Love“
1998 “Walking On Music“
1998 “Magic Touch“
2000 “Good Love“
2006 “Back In Time” #36 Italy
2006 “I’ll Be Your Lady“
2007 “La Playa Del Sol“

From Wikepedia:

Towards the end of 2005, Corona re-emerged onto the European music scene with “Back In Time“, peaking at #36 in the Italian sales chart. It is most likely that Jenny provided vocals for this track, as they do not have the lively personality that Ogla’s voice possesses. Some websites were still advertising the track during 2006; perhaps meaning that it is still on release throughout Europe, and some European radio stations have given the track airplay.

In late 2006, Olga De Souza returned with a new single under the Corona moniker entitled “I’ll Be Your Lady“, which she sang and had co-written herself.

In 2007, Swedish dance group Sunblock did a cover version of “Baby Baby” featuring the original singer, Sandy. Recognition came late for Sandy Chambers whose name is credited on the 2007 Sunblock version of “Baby Baby” whereas she goes completely unmentioned on Corona’s mid-1990s album “Rhythm of the Night” which includes the same song.

It is really hard to tell the players without a scorecard, but the one thing that is unmistakable, Corona has cemented their place in Dance Music history. The 2 most widely known singles, “Rhythm..”, and “Baby, Baby“, are true dance floor classics and are recognized all over the world.