One to One (band)
| Company type | Duo |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1984 in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada |
| Founder | Louise Reny, Leslie Howe |
| Headquarters | Ottawa , Canada |
| Products | Music albums, singles |
One to One was a Canadian pop duo established in 1984 in Ottawa, Ontario, later adopting the name One 2 One. Comprising singer Louise Reny and producer Leslie Howe, the pair produced three albums and secured ten charting singles in Canada from 1985 through 1992.
Biography
Originating from the Ottawa-based group Mainstream, Reny and Howe inked a contract for two albums with Bonaire Records after demo recordings, subsequently traveling to West Germany for studio sessions. Their 1985 debut album, Forward Your Emotions, showcased dance-oriented tracks such as "There Was a Time" and "Angel in My Pocket," both of which entered the Canadian Top 40; notably, "Angel in My Pocket" also reached number 92 on the US Billboard Hot 100. Another single, "Black on White," attained position 90 on Canadian charts.
The follow-up album released in 1988, titled 1-2-1, marked a stylistic transition towards guitar-driven pop, yielding Canadian hits like "Hold Me Now" and "Do You Believe." Additional singles including a rendition of The Supremes' "Love Child" and "We've Got the Power" achieved moderate chart presence.
Following the dissolution of Bonaire Records, the duo signed with A&M Records under the name One 2 One. Their 1992 release, Imagine It, embraced a 1960s-inspired adult contemporary sound, producing the single "Peace of Mind (Love Goes On)" which peaked at number 95 on US Billboard charts. Other tracks such as "Memory Lane" and "Friends" also entered the Canadian Top 40.
Subsequent to this era, Howe and Reny pivoted towards alternative rock by joining forces with three additional musicians to form Sal's Birdland, which later transformed into Artificial Joy Club. Their song "Sick and Beautiful," from the album Melt, reached number one on the Canadian Top 40 and climbed to number eleven on the US Radio and Records Alternative chart.
In January 2010, Forward Your Emotions received an international re-release through Wounded Bird Records.
Awards and recognition
In 1986, the group earned three nominations at the Juno Award ceremony:
- Most Promising Group of the Year
- Producer of the Year awarded to Leslie Howe
- Recording Engineer of the Year awarded to Leslie Howe
Leslie Howe also produced Canadian artist Alanis Morissette's debut album Alanis, released exclusively in Canada, and collaborated with Ontario hip hop act Mix Breed.
Albums
| Year | Album |
|---|---|
| 1985 | Forward Your Emotions |
| 1988 | 1-2-1 |
| 1992 | Imagine It |
Singles
| Year | Single | CAN | US |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 | "There Was a Time" | 14 | |
| 1986 | "Angel in My Pocket" | 24 | 92 |
| 1986 | "Black on White" | 90 | |
| 1988 | "Hold Me Now" | 13 | |
| 1989 | "Love Child" | 43 | |
| 1989 | "Do You Believe" | 34 | |
| 1989 | "We've Got the Power" | 90 | |
| 1992 | "Peace of Mind (Love Goes On)" | 11 | 95 |
| 1992 | "Memory Lane" | 34 | |
| 1992 | "Friends" | 36 |