Alta Moda
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1979 in Toronto, Canada |
Key people | Molly Johnson (vocalist), Norman Orenstein (guitarist), Steven Gelineau (drummer), Etric Lyons (bassist) |
| Products | Music albums, singles |
Alta Moda was a Canadian funk rock ensemble that originated in 1979 in Toronto, initially comprising vocalist Molly Johnson and guitarist Norman Orenstein.[1] Drummer Steven Gelineau and bassist Etric Lyons joined the lineup in 1982 and 1983, respectively.[2]
Following several years of local performances and the release of the promotional single "Train" in 1986,[3] the group secured a contract with CBS Records and launched their debut album, Alta Moda, in 1987.[4]
Critics offered mixed reactions to the album, often highlighting its prominent funk and disco elements;[5] some commentators even argued that the band’s sound was perceived as "too black" for the Canadian audience.[6] The lead single "Julian" attained position #53 on the RPM Hot 100 chart in January 1988,[7] whereas subsequent singles "Notown (In Particular)" and "Cool Love" did not enter the charts.
Alta Moda also contributed the track "American Chaser," which was not included on any album, to the soundtrack of the 1986 television movie Popeye Doyle.[8]
The band chose to decline a Juno Award nomination for their song "Julian," as they felt it inaccurately represented their musical style.[9]
Although they signed a contract for six albums with CBS, unsatisfactory sales resulted in their dismissal from the label.[10] The members persisted with live performances while exploring other prospects. Orenstein took on production roles for various artists, and Johnson pursued jazz and blues projects with a backing ensemble that eventually transformed into Big Sugar.[11]
By 1990, Johnson and Orenstein had entered into an agreement with IRS Records,[10] adopting the name Infidels by the time their album was released in 1991.[9]
- ↑ Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; no text was provided for refs namedcanenc - ↑ Mark Lepage, "Alta Moda: Dance beat with lots of style". Montreal Gazette, November 26, 1987.
- ↑ Alta Moda – Train | Discogs
- ↑ Craig MacInnis, "Molly gives Alta Moda the soul-pop push". Toronto Star, October 9, 1987.
- ↑ Greg Burliuk, "Alta Moda: Alta Moda". Kingston Whig-Standard, November 28, 1987.
- ↑ Mike Doherty, "Johnson goes to jazz hell and back". National Post, November 22, 2006.
- ↑ RPM, January 30, 1988.
- ↑ Liam Lacey, "Little labels can make a big mark". The Globe and Mail, April 4, 1986.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; no text was provided for refs namedbarr - ↑ 10.0 10.1 Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; no text was provided for refs namedgoodgolly - ↑ "Johnson plays the infidel". Ottawa Citizen, August 15, 1991.