Urban Cookie Collective

Urban Cookie Collective are a British Eurodance band, best known for their 1993 hit single "The Key the Secret".[1]

Urban Cookie Collective
OriginUnited Kingdom
GenresEurodance
Years active1987 (1987)–present
Members
  • Rohan Heath
  • Simon Bentall
  • Neil Claxton
  • Peter Samson
  • Johnny Jay
  • Danielle Barnett
  • Mark Hadfield
Past membersDiane Charlemagne

History

The band was founded by Rohan Heath (born 19 July 1964),[1] the son of Guyanese writer Roy Heath. He learned to play classical piano as a child before switching to the electric piano.[1] He had previous experience with groups such as Yargo and Manchester DJ A Guy Called Gerald.[1] Heath decided on a music career after abandoning a PhD at the University of Vermont.[1] After a tour of Japan supporting the Happy Mondays, he left the band A Guy Called Gerald to work with the rave band Together.[1] Heath went on to work with Jamaican reggae artist Eek-A-Mouse, before concentrating on his new project, Urban Cookie Collective.[2] He was the keyboardist, writer, and producer of their music.

Heath wrote and produced their first hits, "The Key the Secret" and "Feels Like Heaven".[1] He brought in vocalist Diane Charlemagne for many of the group's early tracks.[1] She eventually co-wrote some of the songs and became a major part of the band. The other main members were Simon Bentall (born 17 October 1967), Peter Samson (born 15 May 1968), Johnny Jay, Mark Hadfield and Neil Claxton (later of Mint Royale). Guest rappers occasionally took part in the studio.

The band caused some controversy in 1996 by recording a cover version of the Oasis song "Champagne Supernova". Noel Gallagher of Oasis, and the writer of the song, claimed that he had not given permission and legal action stopped the track from being given a full release. The band still remains active, and tours fronted by singer Danielle Barnett.

In 2014, Charlemagne was diagnosed with kidney cancer.[3] She died of the disease on 28 October 2015, aged 51.[3][4]

Discography

Studio albums

Title Album details Peak chart positions
UK
[5]
AUS
[6]
AUT
[7]
EUR
[8]
FIN
[9]
GER
[10]
NED
[11]
SCO
[12]
SWE
[13]
SWI
[14]
High on a Happy Vibe
  • Released: 12 July 1993
  • Label: Pulse-8 (#PULSE13)
  • Formats: LP, CS, CD
28343160194355335028
Tales from the Magic Fountain
  • Released: 1 January 1995
  • Label: Pulse-8 (#PULSE21)
  • Formats: CS, CD
"—" denotes items that did not chart or were not released in that territory.

Compilation albums

Title Album details
The Very Best of UCC
  • Released: 2000
  • Label: Eagle (#EAG 307-2)
  • Formats: CD
The Very Best Of
  • Released: 2004
  • Label: Amazon (#AMAZCD2)
  • Formats: CD, DVD
The Key, the Secret – The Very Best Of
  • Released: 2010
  • Label: Music Club Deluxe (#MCDLX122)
  • Formats: CD

Singles

Year Title Peak chart positions Certifications Album
UK
[5]
AUS
[6]
AUT
[7]
EUR
[15]
FIN
[9]
GER
[16]
NED
[11]
SCO
[17]
SWE
[13]
SWI
[14]
1992 "Pressin' On" (as Urban Cookie) Non-album singles
"Lucky Stars" (as Urban Cookie)
1993 "The Key the Secret" 247101152237 High on a Happy Vibe
"Feels Like Heaven" 5101117131212179
1994 "Sail Away" 1849242832521243521
"High on a Happy Vibe" 3171898371849
"Bring It On Home (Family)" 5647
1995 "Spend the Day" 5913178 Tales from the Magic Fountain
"Rest of My Love" 6770
"So Beautiful" 6872
1996 "The Key the Secret" (remix) 5238 Non-album single
"Champagne Supernova" The Very Best of UCC
"Witness"
1997 "Ain't it a Shame" Non-album singles
2000 "Mercedes Benz"
2004 "The Key the Secret 2004"
2005 "The Key the Secret 2005" 3129
"—" denotes items that did not chart or were not released in that territory.

References

  1. Colin Larkin, ed. (1998). The Virgin Encyclopedia of Dance Music (First ed.). Virgin Books. p. 356. ISBN 0-7535-0252-6.
  2. "UCC's Biography". Eurodance Encyclopedia. Retrieved 3 November 2013.
  3. Salewicz, Chris (30 October 2015). "Diane Charlemagne: Vocalist who rose to fame with Urban Cookie Collective before helping Goldie to change the face of drum'n'bass". The Independent. Retrieved 8 March 2016.
  4. Coultate, Aaron (28 October 2015). "RIP Diane Charlemagne". Resident Advisor. Retrieved 8 March 2016.
  5. UK chart peaks:
  6. Australian (ARIA Chart) peaks:
  7. "Austrian chart peaks" (in German). austriancharts.at. Retrieved 28 July 2011.
  8. European albums chart peaks:
  9. "Finnish chart peaks". suomenlistalevyt. Retrieved 17 October 2020.
  10. German albums chart peaks:
  11. "Dutch chart peaks". dutchcharts.nl. Retrieved 17 October 2020.
  12. Scottish studio albums chart peaks:
  13. "Swedish chart peaks" (in Swedish). swedishcharts.com. Retrieved 28 July 2011.
  14. "Swiss chart peaks" (in German). Hitparade.ch. Retrieved 28 July 2011.
  15. European singles chart peaks:
  16. German singles chart peaks:
  17. Scottish singles chart peaks:
  18. "Certified Awards Search". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved on 17 October 2020. Note: User needs to enter "Urban Cookie Collective" in the "Search BPI Awards" field and press Enter
  19. Note: User needs to enter "Urban Cookie Collective" in the "Interpret" field and press Enter "German Certification (The Key the Secret)". Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved 17 October 2020.
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