Chantal Curtis


Chantal Curtis was a singer who had a disco hit in 1979 with "Get Another Love". She had some recordings released earlier under a different name. She died in Israel in 1985 having been hit by a bullet that was intended for her boyfriend. During her short career she had worked with Pierre Jaubert and Vladimir Cosma.

Background

Curtis was born in Tunisia.

Career

While walking through the streets of Paris in the 1970s and talking to another woman, she was overheard by producer Pierre Jaubert. Liking the sound of her voice, he asked her if she could sing. Wanting to work, she accepted the offer.
In the June 2, 1979 edition of Cashbox, two of her songs were shown to be programmers picks in the "Can't Miss" category. "Hey Taxi Driver" was a pick by Leon Wagner from Madison, and "Get Another Love" was picked by Chuck Parsons of Baltimore. "Get Another Love" was released on Keylock Records and that release was re-mixed by Glen Blacks. In July 1979, "Get Another Love" spent three weeks in the British charts, peaking at no. 51. It was also a disco hit and that month on the Dallas / Houston disco chart. It was no. 11, just behind no. 10 which was "Cuba" by The Gibson Brothers. Also, the July 14 issue of Record World reported it as being on the Discothèque Hit Parade at The Ritz in Houston. The song was later recorded years later by Karla Brown.
Her album was produced by Pierre Jaubert. He also used the Lafayette Afro Rock Band as backing musicians.

Session work

Curtis also did session work, backing other artists on their recordings. Along with Carol Rowley, Maryse Cremieux, and The Zulu Gang, she provided backing vocals for Pasteur Lappe on his album, Na Real Sekele Fo Ya, which was released on Disques Esperance in 1979. Also that year she provided backing vocals for an album by Kassav', Love And Ka Dance. She contributed backing vocals to the In Need Of... album by Beckie Bell which was released on the Trema label in 1980. With Carole Rowley, she also provided vocals for the F.M. Band on their self-titled album which was also released in 1980 on the FM Productions label.

"Michelle" nickname

In 1977, Chantal recorded an album entitled "Magic Love", released in the US on West End Records. The album contained four songs : "Can't You Feel It" and "Magic Love" on the A-Side, "Hold Me, Squeeze Me" and "Disco Dance" on the B-Side. The album was produced by Pierre Jaubert and Tom Moulton.
"Disco Dance" was a hit in the U.S and was released on single only in the U.S, on West End Records.
For the album covers and the television appearances, Sitruk was replaced by a "cover" named Michelle, some say it was commercial, the cover being "more attractive". A video of Michelle singing "Magic Love" on the French TV channel "Melody Variétés" can be found on YouTube.

"Brenda Mitchell" nickname

In 1978, Curtis recorded an album entitled Don't You Know on the label Barclay.
The album contained the single "Body Party" on the A-side and "Honey Child" on the B-side.

Death

Curtis died in Israel in 1985. She fell victim to an assassination attempt on her boyfriend, and was hit by the bullet that was intended for him.

Solo discography

TitleRelease infoYearCountryNotes
Get Another LoveKeylock K33001979USA

Appearances

TitleArtistSongRelease infoYearNotes
Albert est méchant
Various"Livin' Together"2014With Vladimir Cosma
Les incontournables, vol. 2
Vladimir Cosma"Go on for Ever"2015
Credited to Vladimir Cosma, Richard Sanderson
& Chantal Curtis
Synthesis Synthesis"Feeling", "It's So New"Dare-Dare – DD030LP2002Re-release of Arc ZAL 2005
LP first released in 1976
Credited as Chantal Alexandre