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In 1978 two then little-known producers - a married couple of Tony Hendrik and Karin Hartmann employed by German record label Hansa International matured the project of female pop group. Beacause these girl-groups were especially popular in Europe at the late 70s. Among others especially dominated Arabesque (Germany), Baccara (Spain), Maywood (Holland) and Luv (Germany). Thus, there's no something special in appearance of one new act called A LA CARTE ("portioned dish"), and this "dish" consisted three nice-looking girls.
While trio Arabesque conquerred the venues of South-East Asia and, first of all, Japan, trio A La Carte conquerred European Discos. There was just a small differences in style of music and performance and even in the way of their "formation" and endless changes of line-ups of the two. And it's absolutely incomprehensibly why Europe preffered not Arabesques...
First single of A La Carte "When The Boys Come Home" was released in March 1979. Song, performed by three attractive girls from London: Patsy Fuller, Julia and Elaine, has got popularity and group was invited to the famous German TV-show "Musikladen" ("Music shop"). Single had good sales and, in October of same year, was released the second catchy single "Doctor, Doctor, Help Me Please", yet in new line-up (Patsy Fuller, Jeanny Renshaw, Denise Distelle). After that, nobody dare to deny their reputation of the best dance girl-band. In 1980 one more replacement occurs: instead of Denise Distell came Katie Humble. This line-up launched in March 1980 new single - cover-version of Manfred Mann's 60s super-hit "Do Wah Diddy Diddy" in a short time followed by their first LP "Do Wah Diddy Diddy Round". Among composers of these album was Michael Cretu, lately succeded with solo-career of Sandra Lauer (Arabesque) and synth-pop project Enigma. The next single - "Ring Me, Honey" was released in September of same year.
In January 1981, after change of two members, Jeanny Renshaw, Linda Daniels and Joy Martin released new single "You Get Me On The Run". The main vocal in the song were of Jeanny and Joy. The third girl, Linda Daniels, was needed only for "phantom" presence of third singer as recently Denisee Distelle. Then were 3 singles and next album called "Viva". At the time Michael Cretu was the author of already 2 songs: "Wanted (Jean Le Voleur") and "In the Summer Sun Of Greece". Last one - "In the Summer Sun Of Greece" was released lately on single (Ariola/Coconut Records 104 263-100) in April 1982 and its cover demonstrates one more change in line-up: next Kati Humble's comeback instead of the blue-eyed blonde Linda Daniels. In this line-up group existed 'till splitting.
In July 1982 they released the only one single "Aha Tamoure" (Ariola/Coconut Records 104 569-100) and first total of the group's activity was summed up on first compilation - new LP "The Wonderful Hits Of A La Carte". This album included nearly all well-known hits of A La Carte: "When The Boys Come Home", "In The Summer Sun Of Greece", "Do Wah Diddy Diddy", "Aha Tamoure", "Viva Torero" and others.
In January 1983 was released the mysterious single called "Radio", it's included 2 new songs, which for unknown reason, never issued on any LPs.
The next album of group "Rockin' Oldies" and new single "On The Top Old Smokie" were released at the same time in September 1983. Lately, in 1984, group launched the next single "Jimme Gimme Reggae", the title song was the new version of the one from first album and completely new song - "Lightyears Away From Home" was on the back side. After that, A La Cartes disappered from fans' eyes the same as Arabesque. Probably, it was the result of "birth" of new "lovely child" of their producers - Karin Hartmann and Tony Hendrik - male trio Bad Boys Blue, launched in 1984 with "L.O.V.E. In My Car ". But, maybe, because of decreasing demand in music market to the female acts and increasing vice versa to male ones. The attractive girl-groups were competed by male duets and trios like Modern Talking, Joy, London Boys, Silent Circle, Pet Shop Boys...
In 1989 well-known in Europe DJ Mungo Jerry undertook an attempt of "resurrection" of A La Carte. This new project had nothing in common with old band. It's used a glory of their names and image. Three young girls found for the aim recorded single "Dancing In The Summertime" and album "Sun Sun Summertime". These releases included the bunch of most popular A La Carte hits of the 80s in non-stop recording. More likely and likely, this attempt wasn't successful, so as after issuing of this album the group disappeared from stage...
The destiny of group members after splitting is known just a bit. Patsy Fuller lives in Berlin and engaged as in-studio singer. Katie Humble do the same job in London. Jeanny Renshaw, which was "the main voice" in songs of A La Carte, after splitting, recorded solo single "Life Goes Up - Life Goes Down". Lately, after she was married and become Frau Major, she came to Australia where she lives now, working as advertising agent.
10 years after, in 1999, in time of the splash of interest to the dance music of the early 80s, a few comebacks of recently popular singers and reunification of forgotten groups, BMG Berlin Musik (Hansa International) released new album of A La Carte "Best Of", which trying to be up-to-date, includes cover versions of forgotten hits, having recalled to the world that someday this music was very popular...
© Original Russian text by Alex (Invisible Man), with assistance of Marc Wiese.
© 2004 English translation by Leonid Denisov.
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