Chantal Curtis
Chantal Curtis (born Chantal Sitruk)[1][2] was a singer who had a disco hit in 1979 with "Get Another Love". She had some recordings released earlier under a different name. She died in Israel in 1985 having been hit by a bullet that was intended for her boyfriend. During her short career she had worked with Pierre Jaubert and Vladimir Cosma.
Chantal Curtis | |
|---|---|
 Chantal Curtis with Pierre Jaubert | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Chantal Sitruk |
| Also known as | Chantal Alexandre |
| Born | Tunisia |
| Died | 1985 Israel |
| Genres | Rock, Disco |
| Occupation(s) | Singer |
| Years active | 1970s–1985 |
| Associated acts | Synthesis Lafayette Afro Rock Band |
Career
While walking through the streets of Paris in the 1970s and talking to another woman, she was overheard by producer Pierre Jaubert. Liking the sound of her voice, he asked her if she could sing. Wanting to work, she accepted the offer.[1][2]
In the June 2, 1979 edition of Cashbox, two of her songs were shown to be programmers picks in the "Can't Miss" category. "Hey Taxi Driver" was a pick by Leon Wagner from Madison, and "Get Another Love" was picked by Chuck Parsons of Baltimore.[3] "Get Another Love" was released on Keylock Records and that release was re-mixed by Glen Blacks.[4] In July 1979, "Get Another Love" spent three weeks in the British charts, peaking at no. 51.[5] It was also a disco hit and that month on the Dallas / Houston disco chart. It was no. 11, just behind no. 10 which was "Cuba" by The Gibson Brothers.[6] Also, the July 14 issue of Record World reported it as being on the Discothèque Hit Parade at The Ritz in Houston.[7] The song was later recorded years later by Karla Brown.[8]
Her album was produced by Pierre Jaubert. He also used the Lafayette Afro Rock Band as backing musicians.[9]
Session work
Curtis also did session work, backing other artists on their recordings. Along with Carol Rowley, Maryse Cremieux, and The Zulu Gang, she provided backing vocals for Pasteur Lappe on his album, Na Real Sekele Fo Ya, which was released on Disques Esperance in 1979.[10] Also that year she provided backing vocals for an album by Kassav', Love And Ka Dance.[11] She contributed backing vocals to the In Need Of ... album by Beckie Bell which was released on the Trema label in 1980.[12] With Carole Rowley, she also provided vocals for the F.M. Band on their self-titled album which was also released in 1980 on the FM Productions label.[13]
"Michelle" nickname
In 1977, Chantal recorded an album entitled "Magic Love", released in the US on West End Records. The album contained four songs : "Can't You Feel It" and "Magic Love" on the A-Side, "Hold Me, Squeeze Me" and "Disco Dance" on the B-Side. The album was produced by Pierre Jaubert and Tom Moulton.
"Disco Dance" was a hit in the U.S and was released on single only in the U.S, on West End Records.
For the album covers and the television appearances, Sitruk was replaced by a "cover" named Michelle, some say it was commercial, the cover being "more attractive". A video of Michelle singing "Magic Love" on the French TV channel "Melody Variétés" can be found on YouTube.[14]
Death
Curtis died in Israel in 1985. She fell victim to an assassination attempt on her boyfriend (but not Philippe Briche), and was hit by the bullet that was intended for him.[1]
Solo discography
| Title | Release info | Year | Country | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| "Get Another Love" / "Hey Taxi Driver" | Trema 6198 291 | 1979 | Netherlands | |
| "Get Another Love" / "Hey Taxi Driver" | Key K-7200 | 1979 | USA | |
| "Get Another Love" / "I'm Burnin'" | Pye International 7P 5003 | 1979 | UK | |
| "Hit Man" / "I Gotta Know" | Pye International 7P 5010 | 1979 | UK | [16] |
| "Fair And Square" / "Man To Come" | Trema 410 135 | 1980 | France | [17] |
| Title | Release info | Year | Country | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Get Another Love | Keylock K3300 | 1979 | USA | [18] |
Appearances
| Title | Artist | Song | Release info | Year | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Albert est méchant (Bande originale du film de Hervé Palud) |
Various | "Livin' Together" | 2014 | With Vladimir Cosma[19] | |
| Les incontournables, vol. 2 (Bandes originales de films composées par vladimir cosma) |
Vladimir Cosma | "Go on for Ever" | 2015 | (From "La Boum") Credited to Vladimir Cosma, Richard Sanderson & Chantal Curtis[20] | |
| Synthesis | Synthesis | "Feeling", "It's So New" | Dare-Dare – DD030LP | 2002 | Re-release of Arc ZAL 2005 LP first released in 1976 Credited as Chantal Alexandre[21] |
References
- Funkybeat 70-80 - Chantal Sitruk dite CHANTAL CURTIS Archived 2019-07-16 at the Wayback Machine
- Funk★U, Publié le 8 août 2017 - Disparition du producteur Pierre Jaubert, Propos recueillis par Christophe Geudin. Photo d’ouverture : Michel Théodon
- Cashbox, June 2, 1979 - Page 39 Disco, Programmers Picks
- Cashbox, June 9, 1979 - Page 35 Disco, Disco Breaks
- British Hit Singles and Albums, Guinness, 2005 - Page 49
- Billboard, July 7, 1979 - Page 45 Billboard's Disco Action Dallas/Houston
- Record World, July 14, 1979 - Page 22 Discotheque Hit Parade THE RITZ/HOUSTON
- Billboard, January 22, 2000 - Page 42 Dance, Joey Negro Plies Nu-Disco Sound by Michael Paoletta
- All Things Deep - Chantal Curtis
- Boommag - Pasteur Lappe - Na Real Sekele Fo Ya Archived 2017-10-14 at the Wayback Machine
- Popsike - KASSAV' love and ka dance RARE ORIGINIAL FM PROD AFRO DISCO LP
- Popsike - BECKIE BELL in need of KILLER FRENCH BOOGIE LP LISTEN
- Discogs - F.M. Band – F.M. Band
- Michelle performing "Magic Love" on the french tv channel "Melody Variétés
- 45Cat - Chantal Curtis - Discography
- Discogs - Chantal Curtis – Fair And Square / Man To Come
- Roots Vinyl Guide - Chantal Curtis "Get Another Love" Disco Boogie LP Keylock
- Spotify - Livin' Together By Vladimir Cosma, Chantal Curtis
- iTunes - Les incontournables, vol. 2 (Bandes originales de films composées par vladimir cosma)
- Discogs - Synthesis (6) – Synthesis