Nancy Holloway was an American singer and actress, a minor star who reached her zenith in the 1960s.
She covered American songs translated to French, sung with an American accent.
She had a bit part in pop art film Jeu de massacre (1967).
Her song “Sand and Rain” (1974) is on the ‘Dusty Fingers volume 10’ and was sampled on “Your Revolution” (2000)
Henri Belolo was a French music producer and songwriter active during the disco era.
He co-created The Ritchie Family, the Village People.
In the course of my research following his death, I found that Belolo was co-responsible for a horrifying version of “Aquarela do Brasil” by the Ritchie Family, and for the kitsch classics “Y.M.C.A.”, “In the Navy”, and “Go West” by the Village People.
However, it is Break Machine’s record “Street Dance” (1983) which I want to bring your attention here. A personal favorite, of however questionable taste it may appear to be.
Raymond Donnez, known as Don Ray, was a French musician and producer of some note in the Euro disco scene.
He contributed to Cerrone‘s records and also released one solo album which enjoys cult status, The Garden of Love (1978), which featured the successful single “Standing in the Rain”.
Michel Legrand is best known for penning “The Windmills of Your Mind” (1968), which people where I live now in the version “Cirkels” by Herman van Veen. Above in an oft-sampled version by Dorothy Ashby.
Legrand is also known for writing pop music such as Claude Nougaro‘s “Tout Feu Tout Femme“.
“Le Sud” from Nino and Radiah (1974).
“Le Sud” is world music classic #914