Grace Jones, Sophie Ellis-Bextor, and Soul II Soul

Born in Kingston, Jamaica, Grace Jones later moved to New York City, US in the 1970s, in order to attend Syracuse University, where she studied theater. Upon graduating, Jones initially pursued a career as a model, finding many fans of her flamboyant, strikingly tall figure. She became a well known figure in the city's nightclub culture, soon landing a contract with Island Records in 1977.

Quickly becoming a star of the local disco scene, her early releases, 1977's "Portfolio," 1978's "Fame and 1979's "Muse" built Jones a large following amongst the gay community, although she failed to amass any mainstream success. Nonetheless, she became an iconic figure of this time, poised to break into a wider audience.

With the end of the decade, disco's popularity had begun to wane, with Jones looking towards the emerging new wave sound in order to progress her music. 1980's "Warm Leatherette" and 1981's "Nightclubbing" were to be Jones' breakthrough albums, finding international success and entering the charts in a number of European countries. Produced by the reggae duo Sly & Robbie, Jones found hits with the single "Pull Up to the Bumper" and covers of Iggy Pop's "Nightclubbing" and the Police's "Demolition Man."

After 1972's "Living My Life," Jones took a break from recording music, instead focusing on a growing number of film roles that included "Conan the Destroyer" and the James Bond film, "A View to a Kill." In 1975, she returned with the largely autobiographical "Slave to the Rhythm," enlisting Trevor Horn as producer. The release brought Jones her biggest chart success, which broke into the Top 20 in eight countries.

Teaming up with Chic's Nile Rodgers, Jones released "Inside Story" in 1986, which boasted the hit single, "I'm Not Perfect (But I'm Perfect For You)," which stormed up the charts internationally. Jones began to move away from her music career after the release of 1989's "Bulletproof Heart," focusing on an ever-increasing number of film roles the following decade. Aside from the 1993 single, "Sex Drive," it was not until 1998 that a new release arrived, "Private Life: The Compass Point Sessions," a collection of recordings Jones completed with Sly & Robbie during the early '80s.

In 2008, new material appeared, with "Hurricane" featuring a host of collaborations from Brian Eno, Wendy & Lisa, Tony Allen, amongst others. Three years later, the album was re-released with a bonus disc of dubs from producer Ivor Guest. Forever the performer, Jones continued to perform frequently, appearing regularly at festivals, as well as performing at the prestigious event for Queen Elizabeth II's Diamond Jubilee in 2012.

Born the daughter of Blue Peter presenter Janet Ellis and film producer and director Robin Bextor, Sophie’s earliest live performance came with the children's, “W11 Opera”, when she was 13. Ellis-Bextor subsequently made forays into indie music in 1997 by becoming Theaudience’s lead vocalist. Following the release of a debut, self-titled album, which spawned the singles “I Got the Wherewithal”, “If You Can’t Do It When You’re Young; When Can You Do It?”, and the No. 25 charting “I Know Enough (I Don’t Get Enough)”, the band were dropped by Mercury Records and Ellis-Bextor went solo.

Before releasing any original material, in 2000 the singer contributed vocals to the DJ Spiller instrumental track “Groovejet”, which subsequently topped the UK Singles Chart and earned regular rotation in clubs across the UK. A year later Ellis-Bextor issued her debut solo album “Read My Lips”. Rising to No. 2 on the UK Albums Chart, the record produced four Top 20 singles: Cher’s “Take Me Home”, the No. 2 “Murder on the Dancefloor”, “Get Over You / Move This Mountain”, and “Music Gets the Best of Me”. The record turned the singer into a national household name, however she also enjoyed success internationally with the album selling 2 million worldwide.

Following a supporting tour of the UK and Europe, Ellis-Bextor returned in 2003 to release her sophomore full-length “Shoot from the Hip”. Two tracks from the album were released as singles, “Mixed Up World” and “I Won’t Change You”, with the third and fourth being scrapped due to the singer giving birth to her first child. Debuting at No. 7 on the UK Albums Chart, Ellis-Bextor’s third studio album “Trip the Light Fantastic” was issued in May 2007. The disco-pop record, produced by Greg Kurstin, earned rave reviews and featured the likes of Fred Schneider, Richard Barone, Shelly Poole, and Cathy Dennis. In support of the record the singer toured opening for Geoge Michael and Take That, however had to cancel her own headlining tour.

In October 2008 Ellis-Bextor recorded a cover of Dolly Parton’s “Jolene”, which appeared on the soundtrack for the BBC2 sitcom “Beautiful People”. After which the singer contributed vocals to French DJ Junior Caldera’s track “Can’t Fight This Feeling” that later peaked in the French Top 20, and appeared on the Freemasons single “Heartbreak (Make Me a Dancer)”. In June 2011 Eliis-Bextor issued her fourth full-length “Make a Scene”, which was marked by more dance elements and influences than previous albums. Featuring collaborations with Calvin Harris, Richard X, Armin van Buuren, and Metronomy, the album was led by the single “Bittersweet”, and peaked at No. 33 on the UK Albums Chart.

Upon the announcement of a fifth studio album in May 2011, Ellis-Bextor began touring again, playing dates in Australia and Jakarta. Led by the single “Young Blood”, the album “Wanderlust” was released in January 2014, peaking at No. 4 on the UK Albums Chart. Representing her most ambitious album to date, “Wanderlust” incorporated folk, baroque and chamber pop elements and spawned the subsequent singles “Runaway Daydreamer” and “Love Is a Camera”.

Founded by Jazzie B in 1988, Soul II Soul began as a sound system playing records at house and street parties. Featuring a rotating cast of members including Nellee Hooper, Simon Law, Phillip “Daddae” Harvey, and Caron Wheeler, the band's debut release was the dubplate “FairPlay” in 1988, which secured them a deal with Virgin Records. Following the subsequent release of a few un-charting singles in 1988, the group rose to recognition with in 1989 with the release of “Keep on Moving”. The same year Soul II Soul issued the single “Back to Life (However Do You Want Me)”, which went on to top the UK Singles Chart for four consecutive weeks. Featuring Wheeler on vocals the single paved the way for the group’s debut album “Club Classics Vol. One” which also found the top spot of the UK Albums Chart.

Soul II Soul also enjoyed moderate success in the U.S. at this time with the single “Back to Life” reaching the Billboard 200’s Top 10. The band’s debut also secured the group two Grammy Awards for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group for “Back to Life” and Best R&B Instrumental for “African Dance”. The group’s sophomore album “Vol. II: 1990 - A New Decade” followed in May 1990 once again rising to the top of the UK Albums Chart. Led by the singles “Get a Life”, “A Dream’s Dream”, and “Missing You”, the album was recorded without Caron Wheeler, however earned the group three Soul Train Awards. A third album, “Vol. III: Just Right” arrived in 1992, which spawned the group’s last Top 10 hit, “Joy”.

The following year Soul II Soul released the greatest hits album “Vol. IV: The Singles 88-93”, which rose to No. 10 on the UK Albums Chart. Marked by a decline in sales, the band’s fourth full-length “Vol. V: Believe” was released in August 1995 peaking at No. 13, and was followed by “Time for Change” in 1997.