Ava Cherry - Let's Dance
THE RESURGENCE OF AVA CHERRY: DAVID BOWIE'S FLAME SHINES
Nu-soul/nu-pop diva Ava Cherry will release "Let's Dance," on January 3, via the Wake Up! Music label.
Ava Cherry | Photo Annette Nieves
From 1974 to 1978, singer and model Ava Cherry, along with Robin Clark and Luther Vandross, a trio called the Astronettes, sang back-up for David Bowie. During the same time, she was also Bowie’s paramour. Cherry traveled the globe with Bowie, performing in front of vast audiences and hanging out with megastars like John Lennon, and the Rolling Stones.
Bowie, a true believer in the Astronettes’ talent, produced a new wave-flavored album for them before new wave even existed. Sadly, because of management complications, the album never saw the light of day for two decades. Finally released in 1995, the album was called People From Bad Homes.
When her relationship with Bowie evaporated, Cherry went back to Chicago, where she met Curtis Mayfield and hooked up with Curtom/RSO Records, which released her first album, Ripe. Rather than arriving in a sleeve, like most albums, it was encased in a disco bag. Unfortunately, the album didn’t do as well as expected. Then RSO collapsed, sending Cherry back to singing with Bowie.
1983 marked the release of Cherry’s sophomore album, Streetcar Named Desire, via Capitol Records. The album garnered little attention. Meanwhile, Vandross was skyrocketing to fame. Cherry hooked up with Vandross and appeared on his Any Love album, along with those thereafter.
Both “Let’s Dance” and “Testify for Love” are from Cherry’s forthcoming album, slated to drop in spring 2020, via Wake Up! Music.
Cherry’s next album, Picture Me, once again on the Capitol label, dropped in 1987. Released devoid of fanfare, sales suffered. In fact, Cherry’s unsuccessful album releases occurred because the labels tried to make her a disco artist even though disco was moribund by 1979. She was packaged incorrectly, her talent wasted by narrow-minded corporate interference.
Still, with Lisa Fischer and Kevin Owens, Cherry aided in making Luther Vandross a superstar by means of superb vocals and stylish choreography.
In keeping with the old adage “all good things come to those who wait,” Ava Cherry’s talent will soon get its well-deserved hearing. Cherry recently signed with Mymy Madyy Pepper Gomez’s Chicago-Miami-based label Wake Up! Music. Her first release, scheduled to drop January 3, with the new label will be her version of David Bowie’s “Let’s Dance,” followed by another single, “Testify for Love,” described as “an original Ava Cherry nu-soulful pop tune,” reflecting her roots in the Chicago sound.
Both “Let’s Dance” and “Testify for Love” are from Cherry’s forthcoming album, slated to drop in spring 2020, via Wake Up! Music.
Cherry’s rendition of “Let’s Dance” opens on surging EDM colors riding a brawny bassline and tight crisp percussion, as flowing synth layers lay down oozing, gleaming textures. Glowing backing harmonies infuse the song with soft radiant coruscations, as Cherry’s posh, sensuous voice suffuses the lyrics with soulful flavors on creamy enchanting timbres. Rich and hypnotic, it’s a voice steeped in cool luxurious tones.
Mark your calendar. Two days after the New Year, on January 3, you’ll be able to move to the groove of Ava Cherry’s cover of “Let’s Dance.”
