Black Box is an Italian group formed in the late 80s by Daniele Davoli, Valerio Semplici and Mirko Limoni. Who will recruit a model by the name of Katrin Quinol whom they bring in solely for his plastic. It will therefore be used mainly for photos and covers and incidentally make the true-false singer in the clips. The real singer on most tracks is actually called Martha Wash.
The Italian trio had already recorded some successes under other group names like Starlight and other Wood Allen.
Their first single "Ride on time" was released in 1989 and for a first try, it's a real coup. The title will make a incredible planetary success. It will even be the biggest sale of the year across the Channel. And undoubtedly one of the biggest hits of the 80s.
But the importance of this title goes far beyond the commercial aspect because like "Video killed the radio star" and "Funky town", 2 major titles which had allowed the transition from the 70s to the 80s, "Ride on time ”(to which we may add Rock Da House by Beatmasters, Theme for S'Express by S'Express, Jack to the sound of the underground by Hithouse and Can you party? by Royal House) is the missing link between the 80s and the 90s. It is the base of the current House which will surge thereafter and reign without sharing during the 90s.
The title in truth is strongly inspired by another title from the 80s, a certain "Love sensation" interpreted by Loleatta Holloway. Faced with the colossal success of Ride on time, Dan Hartman, the producer of "Love sensation", will rightly assert his copyright and will ultimately pocket a large part of the royalties.
The group's first album "Dreamland" was released in 1990 and produced three new mega hits : "Everybody everybody", "I don’t know anybody else" and "Strike it up". The album itself has achieved impressive sales scores around the world. In the end, he will produce no less than six hits of large or medium scale.
Album which will remain in the end as the supreme consecration of the group because the latter will no longer find the same dynamic thereafter. This was despite the release of a new single "Rockin 'to the music" in 1993, as well as a second album "Positive vibration" some time later.
To discover or rediscover.
Discography (among others ...) :
Ride on time 1989
I don’t know anybody else 1990
Everybody everybody 1990
Fantasy 1990
Get down 1990
Strike it up 1991
Open your eyes 1991
Rockin’ to the music 1993
Not anyone 1995
I got the vibration 1996
Native New-Yorker 1997
Fall into my love 1997
Clips :
1989 ... surely one of the biggest Dance hits of the decade, even of this end of the XXth century. A piece of anthology that foreshadows the House wave that will sweep a few years later. MO-NU-MEN-TAL !
1990 ... the year 1989 revealed the group. The year 1990 will see him literally explode. An exceptional year during which the group will produce no less than 3 mega planetary hits, just that !
1990 ... even if the tempo slows down, that doesn't prevent this track from setting all Dancefloor on fire. HU-GE !
1990 ... the pass of 3 ! 3 incredible hits the same year, ending with a superb cover of Earth Wind & Fire on one of their best known titles
1990 ... a title completely apart and released exclusively for France. And my faith, it works very well again !
1991 ... business resumes at the start of the year. The beautiful Katrin is in an Olympic form...the lining plays its role to perfection. Race results : new global mega hit !
1991 ... finished the House, we set off on classic Dance tempo. On a funk basis, moreover, as if we were going back 10 years. In any case, it works !
1993 ... change of casting and return to House mode. Even if quality is always in order, the novelty effect no longer plays, the group is becoming commonplace ...
1995 ... the last notorious hit. Well, 6 years at the top, it's already a great feat because the competition in this same type of musical niche is formidable !
1996 ... this time, it is indeed the end. The end of one of the most extraordinary Dance adventures of the end of the 20th century !
1997 ... come on, it's not quite finished, they still have a little bit under the pedal. Admittedly, this title will not remain as their best but it holds the road, it is clear !
1997 ... a title who will go completely under the radars, normal it will only come out in Italy. An astonishing and above all completely sterile commercial strategy ...
Wiki :
Official Website :
Greatest Hits :
Discography :