Claudja Barry

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Claudja Barry, (born 1952, Jamaica) was raised in Toronto, Ontario, Canada and later based in Germany, is a singer and actress who has performed in the European versions of the stage musicals Hair and Catch My Soul.

Early music career

Before she embarked on a solo career, Claudja Barry was part of the studio group Boney M from 1975 to 1976. She has had two Billboard Hot 100 entries. The first being "Dancin' Fever" which peaked at #72, off The Girl Most Likely album. The other song being Boogie Woogie Dancin' Shoes (R&B #37, Pop #56 in 1979) from the album I Wanna Be Loved By You, released in 1978. Both became major mainstream pop hits in Canada and Europe. In 1976 the soulful ballad "Love for the Sake of Love" got airplay, and in 1979, another single, Boogie Tonight was released off the "I Wanna..." album, received Canadian airplay and was also remixed into a 12" Disco Single.

The 1980s

During 1980 with the release of her Feel The Fire album, Claudja's songs were becoming highly synthesized - this was her final album to feature an earthier, more horn & string approach to the production of her music. By 1981, she made a successful foray into New Wave/Hi-NRG music with the Made In Hong Kong album which is touted as her best album. It featured the lead single "Radio Action" which became a moderate club hit peaking at #57. In 1985, she appeared in the movie Rappin', starring Mario Van Peebles. The year 1985 also saw the release of the single, "Born To Love" which sounds similar to a Pet Shop Boys or Erasure song. This single was produced by New York City based Hi-NRG producer, singer and songwriter, Bobby Orlando. It was the lead single from her album, If I Do It To You. "Born To Love" features airy, ethereal synths and aggressive, syncopated synthesizers and a fierce lead guitar which made it a Top 20 smash, peaking at #14 on Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart. Dance format radio stations in the United States did give it major exposure since the album it was lifted from was a UK only release. The follow up single was the sensual title track.

On the Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart, she has much more success: six Top 10 hits, including "Down and Counting," which spent a week at #1 in 1986. The song also became only the third single to chart outside of the Dance charts in the U.S., peaking at a #98 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks. Barry did not have further success on that chart despite several mid tempo and ballad songs such as "I Will Follow Him" and "If I Do It To You" which could have been hits on the chart had they been pushed on the Urban radio format in 1982. "Down and Counting" was the lead single from her album, "I, Claudja", her only record for Epic Records.

The 1990s

After her run at Epic did not result in another album, she went more quiet, focusing her music career to her fans in Canada and aboard. She still remained active recording a pair of underground club classics during the early 1990s. The singles "Love Is An Island" (1991) and "Summer of Love" (1992) are highly regarded club hits to those who know them. In 1993, the German euro-dance project General Base featured Barry as lead singer for their single "Poison", which got a greater success. "Summer of Love" was successful enough that it maintains radio airplay on some radio stations such as WMPH. Both single became major hits outside of the U.S. In Brazil, in 1996, her song "Brand New Day" was a great success. After a Christmas/Holiday Dance album titled, Disco'round The Christmas Tree was released on Radikal Records in 1995, then an extended mix compilation titled, Disco Mixes, she went quiet for the remainder of the decade because she wanted to focus on raising a family.

1999 to present

In 1999, R&B artist Montell Jordan sampled the rhythm track from Barry's single "Love For the Sake of Love," for the hit titled, "Get It On Tonite" (#4 on the Hot 100). In May 2006, Barry returned to the Billboard charts with "I Will Stand" released on Donna Jean Records. By July the song had reached the Top 10 of the Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart, peaking at #4 before the end of the summer. It received moderate dance radio format airplay. Barry is working on her long awaited album.

Discography

Albums

• Sweet Dynamite Lollipop 1976
• The Girl Most Likely Lollipop 1977
• Claudja Salsoul 1978
• I Wanna Be Loved By You Lollipop 1978
• Feel The Fire Hot Productions 1980
• Made In Hong Kong Hot Productions 1981
• If I Do It To You Ensign (UK)1985
• I, Claudja Epic Records 1987
• The Best of Claudja Barry Hot Productions 1991

See also

• List of Number 1 Dance Hits (United States)
• List of artists who reached number one on the US Dance chart
• Bobby Orlando

External links

• - Claudja's Official Website
• - Claudja's Official Myspace
• - Claudja Barry Photo Gallery