Rachel Stevens Funky Dory CD

The breakout solo sensation from Australian pop group S Club 7, Rachel Stevens proves her potential as a younger, hipper Kylie Minogue on this debut album, FUNKY DORY.

The debut solo album by Rachel Stevens had all the ingredients to be a massive-selling album, but somehow it just didn't quite happen, despite being re-released on several occasions with tracks added on as singles became hits. Stevens was formerly a member of the multi-million-selling band S Club 7, who were always on television, both in their own reality TV show and on every pop program it was possible to appear on. However, after Stevens' promising start as the first solo member of S Club 7 to release new product after the demise of the band (having signed a solo contract with manager Simon Fuller and taking the single "Sweet Dreams My L.A. Ex" to number two), the album failed to live up to expectations, and soon found itself plummeting down the charts and into the bargain bins. The opening track from Funky Dory was indeed "Sweet Dreams My L.A. Ex," a Spanish-style acoustic number written by Cathy Dennis and produced by the team of Bloodshy & Avant, and the track also closed the album in an eight-minute version remixed by Bimbo Jones. But between the two versions, Stevens could be heard moving away from the pure pop and good-time fun that epitomized S Club 7 between 1999 and 2002 and into a more R&B-influenced sound, already crowded by acts such as TLC and the Sugababes. The pace dropped to a ballad for just one track, "Heaven Has to Wait," which had all the makings of a good song, except there wasn't really a tune to speak of. In an attempt to appeal to a more adult audience, most of the rest of the tracks were midtempo songs, like "Silk" and "Blue Afternoon," the type of material that S Club 7 had never attempted before. [This edition of Funky Dory included bonus tracks.] ~ Sharon Mawer

Taken from the 2003 album 'Funky Dory'. Includes 4 non-LP tracks 'Funky Dory' (Single Mix, Vertical Vocal Mix, Video) plus 'I Got The Money'. Polydor.

Personnel: Rachel Stevens (background vocals); Borge Petersen-Overlier (guitar, electric guitar); Paul Gendler, Henrik Janson, Hugh Burns, Henrik Jonback (guitar); Steve Lipson (acoustic guitar, programming); Eivind Aarset (acoustic guitar); Dave Rainger (electric guitar); Lise Sorensen Bråtelund (violin); David Eriksen (accordion, keyboards, programming, keyboard programming, drum programming, background vocals); Martin Sjolie (grand piano, Fender Rhodes piano); Michael Peden (keyboards, bass guitar); Steve McGuinness, Yak Bondy (keyboards, programming); Aicha Djidjelli (drums, background vocals); Rune Arnesen (percussion); Cesar Gimeno, Charlie L. Russell, Robin East, Bloodshy, Avant, B Rich, Brio Taliaferro (programming); Lindsay Greene, Emma Holmgren, Rachel Kern, Rikard Löfgren, Marian Lisland, Anna Lena Karlsson, Karen Ann Poole, Tracie Ackerman, Jeanette Olsson, Cathy Dennis (background vocals).

Audio Mixers: Martin Harrington; Niklas Flyckt; Daniel Frampton; Tobias Lindell; Heff Moraes; Michael Peden; Steve Fitzmaurice; Ben Chapman; Jeremy Wheatley.

Audio Remixer: Lee Dagger.

Recording information: metropolis Studios, London, England; Murlyn Studios, Stockholm, Sweden; Sarm West Studios, London, England; Stereo Studio 1, Norway; Sveriges Radio; The Aquarium, London, England.

Photographers: Lorenzo Agius; Indrani; Markus Klinko.

Arrangers: Martin Harrington; Janson & Janson; David Eriksen; Arnthor; Bag; Bloodshy; Avant; B Rich; Ben Chapman.