Rockell - What Are You Lookin' At

Dance pop diva Rockell was born Rachel Alexandra Mercaldo on March 4, 1977, on Long Island; discovered in a bar while singing along with a recording of "Killing Me Softly with His Song," she was brought to the attention of producer Ewart A. Wilson, Jr., who helmed her 1996 debut single, "I Fell in Love." After scoring a hit a year later with "In a Dream," Rockell issued her debut LP, What Are You Lookin' At?, in 1998. Two years later she returned with Instant Pleasure, which featured producers like Hex Hector and Tony Moran.

Music career

In the late 1990s, she had major dance hits with the songs "In A Dream," "When I'm Gone," and "Can't We Try" (a duet with Collage and remake of the Dan Hill and Vonda Shepard 1987 hit song). All of these tracks appeared on her 1998 debut album entitled What Are You Lookin' At?. She released a second album, Instant Pleasure, in 2000. Instant Pleasure included the single "What U Did 2 Me" which reached #101 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 2001. Her best charting success is in Canada, where she is still active performing shows at clubs. Her debut single "I Fell in Love" distributed by the then BMG Canada hit #1 on the Canadian Singles Chart while the follow-up mega hit "In a Dream" was at #6 and is still a dance club anthem and a favourite amongst freestyle music enthusiasts nationwide.

Chart success

In 1996, "I Fell In Love" peaked at #61 on the Billboard Hot 100 in early 1997. It hit the #1 spot on the Canadian Singles Chart singles chart during that year, making it the most successful freestyle dance music single of the decade in Canada. The single also peaked at #9 on the Hot Dance Singles Sales chart in the USA.

"In A Dream," the follow-up to "I Fell In Love," peaked at #72 on the Billboard Hot 100 in late 1997. It was #6 on the Hot 100 Canadian Singles Chart and solidified Rockell's position on the artist roster of the then BMG Music Canada. It also peaked at #13 on the Hot Dance Singles Sales chart.

"Can't We Try" with Collage peaked at #59 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1998. The single peaked at #11 on the Hot Dance Singles Sales chart.

"When I'm Gone" bubbled under the Billboard Hot 100 in 1999, whereas it made a huge smash on both the Hot Dance Airplay and Hot Dance Music/Club Play charts. It also peaked at #21 on the Hot Dance Singles Sales chart.

Rockell's lead-off single to her second album Instant Pleasure, "What U Did 2 Me," bubbled under the Billboard Hot 100 at #101; however, it was her best selling (and arguably biggest hit) single and it garnered her a music video. It fared much better on Hot Dance Airplay and Hot Dance Music/Club Play charts.

She also released "The Dance" (a cover of the Garth Brooks hit) and "Tears," but neither of these singles charted on the Hot 100. Both singles performed well on the Hot Dance Music/Club Play and Hot Dance Airplay charts. "The Dance" peaked at #27 on the Hot Dance Singles Sales chart and "Tears" peaked at #16 on the Hot Dance Singles Sales chart.

Recent times

In 2005, she came back with "L.O.V.E.", produced by DJ Mickey Bono. A limited independent release that had a trance remix by Lenny "Linus" Douglas and freestyle remixes by Russ Castella and Randy Taylor-Weber, the original writer/producer of "In a Dream". It became a modest Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart hit. It also received some dance radio airplay.

Spring 2007, saw Rockell back in the studio recording a new single, "Playing My Love." It was released to Dance/Rhythmic format radio in July 2007. A long awaited freestyle remix by Salsation 3 was released just in time for the holidays in November 2007, giving "Playing My Love" longevity through 2008. A nationwide tour with several dance artists including Joe Zangie was announced as well.

In November 2007, Rockell released a new dance single with Canada's Odeon Records, "You Keep Me Hanging On," a remake of the Supremes' original and Kim Wilde's 1987 mega hit.

Now in 2009, Rockell is back with a dance cover of Donna Summer's "On The Radio" with several remixes available. Check out her web site - www.rockell.com for the latest updates.

Source: answers.com

Tracklist:

1		When I'm Gone (4:35)
2		Can't We Try (4:17)
3		Runaway With Me (3:21)
4		In A Dream (Original Mix) (4:00)
5		Show Me The Way (4:00)
6		Love Won't Let Me Wait (3:30)
7		Take You Higher (3:41)
8		I Fell In Love (4:32)
9		Dream Boy - Dream Girl (4:15)
10		In A Dream (1:00 AM Mix) (4:24)
11		I'll Be There (4:00)

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Judy Torres-The Greatest Hits

Born and raised in the Bronx, NY, and raised in a single parent home, at the young age of 17, Judy Torres was discovered in a nightclub in the Bronx, Sidestreet, where she competed in a Gong Show. George Vascones, one of the judges who almost gonged her for being humorous, approached her and soon became her first manager. Knowing Judy needed original material, he soon introduced her to producer and friend, Mickey Garcia. "No Reason to Cry" was soon released and after a year or so of promotion, Profile Records signed her, and subsequently released "Come Into My Arms". Radio stations throughout the country played both songs and shortly became the favorites of people from all around. The success of these two singles granted her the opportunity to record her first album entitled "Love Story" for which she reached the Billboard Dance charts and received wonderful reviews. The self-titled single was released along with "Love You, Will You Love Me", "Please Stay Tonight" and "Missing Part". Although Judy was pursuing a degree while in college, Judy was forced to leave because of the success of the album. There was a huge demand for her to tour all over the United States, and was opening for celebrities such as Gladys Knight, the late Tito Puente, Menudo, Celia Cruz, La India and Lisa-Lisa. She even received network coverage when she brought Geraldo Rivera on stage to dance with her at Nassau Coliseum.

In 1992, her second album, "My Soul" was released, and Billboard sang her praises once again, comparing her to the sirens of the time such as Whitney Houston. The single, "I Love You for All Seasons" debuted and received national airplay and also became Judy's first video. Judy has since has been featured on hundreds of compilations as well as recordings on Mic-Mac, Critical, Intersound and others.

Fifteen years later, Judy still packs nightclubs throughout the country without having a recent hit on the radio. The reason? She believes she's worked very hard to be an entertainer as much as a singer. She feels that connecting with the audience is vital to the show and she wants to sing with them, for them, but not at them. She also tries to remain balanced and down to earth as much as possible so that she and the audience remain connected. She is unafraid to speak her mind, she is not flustered if her costume tears or if a heckler tries to disturb her. But it is her innate ability to touch the audience and love them with sincerity that keeps her alive. Her personality and performance skills have brought her to other careers such as Off-Broadway, plus size modeling for Ashley Stewart Stores, getting her story published (Chocalate for a Woman's Dreams), performing her one woman cabaret shows, and a career with radio. She has worked at WKTU in New York for the last five years, appearing on the KTU morning show for a year and a half, and hosting her own #1, successful freestyle show Sunday evenings from 8 to 10p.m. In her spare time, she volunteers at Aquinas High School as assistant director/choreographer to the musicals, and donates her spare time to charities such as Boys and Girls Club, Covenant House and Promesa. She is a frequent speaker at local schools where she addresses the importance of having a mission in life and the importance of a healthy self-esteem.

She is currently recording a greatest hits album where three original songs will be included as well. She cannot wait to surprise her audience with her next project: an original album showing her growth as a vocalist. No doubt, through Judy's vocals, is and will be one of freestyle's best.

Source: discogs

Tracklist:

1. Love You Will You Love Me
2. Come Into My Arms
3. Love Story
4. Out Here On My Own
5. Every Little Lie
6. Every Time
7. My Soul
8. Holdin` On
9. I Can`t Wait
10. Back In Your Arms
11. Missing Part
12. No Reason To Cry
13. Please Stay Tonight
14. Windows
15. Come Into My Arms - (remix)

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