Song:I Still Believe
Album:Lowrider Oldies: Cruisin Chrome Series Vol. 8
Brenda K. Starr had her biggest success with the 1988 hit I Still Believe. She later had success in the Latin market. She was born Brenda Joy Kaplan Oct. 15, 1966 in New York City. Her father was Harvey Kaye of the 60s group Spiral Starecase and her mother was Puerto Rican. Harry Belafonte got her a role as a singer in the 1984 film Beat Street. That appearance got her a record deal with Atlantic's Mirage label and producer Arthur Baker (Afrika Bambaataa). The 1985 album I Want Your Love and the single Pickin' Up Pieces had success on the dance charts. But she moved to MCA for the 1987 album Brenda K. Starr and producer Eumir Deodato. He is a Brazilian musician who had success in the 70s with his disco version of Also Spach Zarathustra. By the 80s he was working more as a producer with acts like Kool & The Gang and One Way. He produced I Still Believe and it reached #13 on the Billboard Hot 100. The song was written by Rock Mafia's Antonina Armato when she was 16 years old. The sax solo is by Bob Malach of the Bob Mintzer Big Band. You may have heard Mariah Carey's cover of I Still Believe. She was a backup singer on the original. And Brenda got Mariah a record deal when she gave Mariah's demo to producer Tommy Mottola. Bet you didn't know that. Brenda recorded her 1990 album By Heart on Epic. Then she turned to the Latin market and she has had success there. The 1987 album Brenda K. Starr is out of print. The only Brenda K. Starr comp available is aimed at the Latin market. So I suggest this various artists comp from Thump Records which is part of their Lowrider Oldies series. Brenda has been a DJ at WNEW in New York. Her daughter Gianna Isabella appeared on the 2016 season of American Idol. Brenda still performs and releases occasional singles through her Facebook page. Here's the video for I Still Believe by Brenda K. Starr.
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