D:REAM
London pop-dance artists who have crossed over from clubs to daytime radio, and won themselves impressive chart placings in the process. D:Ream originally comprised Al Mackenzie (b. Alan Mackenzie, 31 October 1968, Edinburgh, Scotland) and Peter Cunnah (b. 30 August 1966, Derry, Northern Ireland; ex-Tie The Boy, Baby June). Their first outing came at the JFK Bar in Great Portland Street, London, in February 1992. Four months later Rhythm King released their debut 45, UR The Best Thing (the Prince-like spellings would become a regular feature of their titles). Although they failed to score many credibility points amongst their dance music peers (when asked in one survey which were their favourite DJs, Mackenzie had the temerity to include Steve Wright), they nevertheless became a sought-after remix team among mainstream pop artists ( Deborah Harry, EMF, Duran Duran). Both UR The Best Thing and, later, Things Can Only Get Better were reissued in the wake of their higher profile and initial chart appearances. Their debut album, released in August 1993, was roundly rubbished by the press. MacKenzie too appeared less than happy with its new pop direction, and announced his decision to leave the band in October 1993 and return to DJ work. Shortly afterwards the revitalised Things Can Only Get Better enjoyed a long stay at the top of the UK pop charts. At which time there was some note of derision among the puritan dance community from whence they came, Pressure Of Speech lambasting the track for its potential to be: ‘the next Tory Conference song’. MacKenzie, meanwhile, was embarking on a solo career as (among other things) Kitsch In Sync (Jazz Ma Ass for Global Grooves in 1994).