1991-1994
N-trance are Dale Longworth and Kevin O'Toole; back in 1991 they met at a Manchester college whilst studying on a sound engineering course. They decided to form a band which went through a variety of names before ending up with N-trance.
In late 1991 they came to the attention of some local labels and, after a little deliberation, plumped for PWL-offshoot 380 Records (now more familiar as Eastern Bloc Records) in January 1992. Following a frustrating year without a commercial release they got out of that deal and eventually signed to AATW in September 1993.
Their first commercial release was "Set You Free" which on this occasion reached the dizzy heights of 82 in the national chart. It was re-released in April '94 when it peaked at no. 39 - at last a top 40 hit and that was thought to be the end of "Set You Free".
"Turn Up The Power" was brought out in October of the same year and went straight into the national chart at 23.
Featuring the superb voice of Loveland vocalist Rachel MacFarlane. "Turn Up The Power" really established them as a band who make quality music; it also served to re-awaken interest in "Set You Free" which was re-released in January of last year. Upon it's third release "Set You Free" really did fly into the chart, debuting at no. 6, it eventually peaked at no. 2 - selling a massive 600,000 units in the UK. It is, in fact, the sixth biggest selling single of the year so far and elevated them to new heights with success across the world including top 20 status in Europe and Australia.
Having a hit of the proportions of "Set You Free" does present a problem, the follow-up single really does have to be something special. In n-trance's case - it was.
"Stayin' Alive" features Ricardo Da Force - formerly of the KLF, Ricardo is one of the finest rappers in the World. When he heard the demo for "Stayin' Alive" he thought it was a track that he must do. Upon it's release in the UK it debuted at no 2 - which gives some indication of how strongly it was anticipated by n-trance's rapidly expanding fan-base and the general public alike.
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1995-1996
Internationally, "Stayin Alive" was one of the biggest UK exports of 1995 reaching no. 1 in Australia and being top 5 in almost every country of the world. It is currently racing up the American and Japanese charts.
N-trance's long awaited debut album, "Electronic Pleasure", was now available. It comprises 12 tracks including all the singles. The album does go a little deeper than just being three or four singles packaged with eight fillers; every track is there on merit.
People have commented on how the three singles released so far have differed from each other - the Euro-style
"Turn Up The Power", 140bpm breakbeat "Set You Free" and the groove of "Stayin' Alive." The variation of styles continues on the album, but all tracks have the common theme of being great songs. Other artists who feature on the album include the multi-talented David Grant and his choir; one of the World's best saxophonist's Snake Davis plus new female vocalist Gillian and the superb ex-Love Decade vocalist Jerome Stokes.
Upon hearing the album, we're sure you will agree that is a debut which shows N-trance to be a band who will be enjoying success for many years to come.
Their next single was "Electronic Pleasure" - the title track. Once again featuring Ricardo Da Force and Gillian it is another superb single and an obvious smash to follow the success of the three previous hits.
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