Secret Life (band)

History

Secret Life started with a white label called "Spanish Lullaby," which Andy Throup and Jim Di Salvo wrote and produced. That track came out of their "No Fixed Abode" studio, based in South London. The lineup grew when Charlton Antenbring and Paul Bryant joined. Antenbring had been a fashion student, a DJ, and a reporter for The Big Issue.

Di Salvo handled guitars, Cubase programming, sampling, and production. Throup, a classically trained pianist, also worked on Cubase programming and production. Bryant sang and co-wrote most of the songs with Throup. Around the same time, Throup was collaborating with people in techno and house, including the well-known DJ Lenny Dee.

The band toured a lot, mainly in the UK, and appeared on three TV music shows: The Beat, Dance Energy, and The Hitman and Her. They also put out several music videos. Di Salvo left in 1993 to start Bass Boom studios, and later released his own singles and albums under his name and as The Juggler, Bong Brothers, and Salvo Jets. One of the band's early singles, "As Always," a 1992 dance version of Stevie Wonder's "As," was a big success for Cowboy Records, the label run by their manager Charlie Chester.

After house producers Masters At Work remixed "Borrowed Time" in 1994, Chester moved the group to Pulse-8 Records to aim for more pop success, getting an eight-album deal. The band became a core duo of Bryant and Throup. "Love So Strong," a pop single first put out by Cowboy Records in 1993, was remixed and released by Pulse-8 in 1994. Three more singles came out that year, followed by the album Sole Purpose in 1995.

Reviewers noted that production from Brothers in Rhythm, Chris Porter, and Pete Gleadall gave Sole Purpose an R&B and house sound, with thoughtful lyrics and smooth vocals. Between 1992 and 1996, the group released eight singles and one album. Five singles hit Number 1 on the Coolcuts and Mixmag dance charts in the UK, and two made the Top 40 on the UK Singles Chart.

Discography

Secret Life released eight singles and one album between 1992 and 1996. The singles were "As Always" (1992, Cowboy), "Love So Strong" (1992, Cowboy), "Love So Strong" (1993, Cowboy), "I Want You" (1994, Pulse-8), "Love So Strong" (1994, Pulse-8), "She Holds The Key" (1994, Pulse-8), "Love Love Love" (1996, Pulse-8) and "Vehicle" (1996, Pulse-8). The album Sole Purpose was issued in 1995 on Pulse-8. The group's tracks also appeared on numerous compilations.

"As Always" was included on Sonic System (1992, Telstar), Remix Culture 12/92 (1992, DMC), Energy Rush Level 3 (1993, Dino Entertainment) and The Voice of Dance 3 (1993, EVA Belgium). "Love So Strong" appeared on DMC CD Collection 127 (1993, DMC), Energy Rush Factor 5 (1993, Dino Entertainment), Full-On Dance '93 (1993, Cookie Jar), Full-On Dance: 20 Kickin' Dance Hits (1993, Cookie Jar), Hey Mr. DJ...The 4th Compilation (1993, Epic), The Megamix Album 128 (1993, DMC), Underground Selection 8/93 (1993, DMC), Pulsating Rhythms 5 (1994, Pulse-8), Club Together 2: The Club Sound of 1995 (1995, React/EMI), United DJs of America, Volume 4: David Morales & Frankie Knuckles (1995, Moonshine), United DJs of The World Volume 1 - David Morales & Frankie Knuckles (1995, DMC), United DJs of The World - Frankie Knuckles (1995, DMC), Club Classics '95 (1995, Recurrent), Dance 95 (1995, Circa), Dance Mania 95 Volume 1 (1995, Pure Music), DJs At Work Vol. 1.

A Mix by David Seaman (1995, Pimp), Energy Rush K9 (1995, Dino Entertainment) and Hit Man 3 (1995, EMI). "I Want You" was featured on Club Together: The Club Sound of 1994 (1994, React/EMI), Cowboy Records - The Album Volume 1 (1995, RPM/Rodeo) and Cowboy Records - The Album Volume 2 (1995, Rodeo). "She Holds The Key" appeared on Renaissance: The Mix Collection (1994, Renaissance).