As a music lover, you may have heard of the iconic Chicago house music group, Ten City. The group born in the 1980s enjoyed a successful career in the dance scene and had a significant influence on the house music genre. Ten City was a trio that disbanded in the mid-1990s, but their music remains popular to date. In this musical biography, we will delve into the beginnings of Ten City, their most famous albums and songs, their musical style, and influences.
Ten City began as a collaboration of three talented individuals, Marshall Jefferson, Byron Burke, and Byron Stingily. Marshall Jefferson, a grammy-nominated musician, was instrumental in the inception of house music. He created the classic Move Your Body in 1986, which became the foundation for house music. Burke and Stingily were singers who had a passion for music, and they had met Jefferson through the underground music scene. The trio collaborated on their first single Devotion in 1987, which became an instant success. The single peaked at number one on Billboard's Hot Dance Club/Play chart and sold over a million copies worldwide.
Ten City released their first album, Foundation, in 1989. The album garnered massive critical acclaim and commercial success, peaking at number 46 on the Billboard 200 chart. The album included hits like Right Back To You and That's The Way Love Is, which topped the Hot Dance Club/Play chart. The trio received the Chicago Music Award for the Best Dance Act for their groundbreaking debut album.
In 1992, Ten City released their fourth studio album, No House Big Enough. The album experimented with a wide range of genres beyond house music, including gospel, soul, and funk music. The album included hit songs like Whatever Makes You Happy, Fantasy, and Where Do We Go?' that became instant classics in the house music scene. The album was nominated for the Grammy Award for Best Dance/Electronic Album and cemented Ten City's legacy as house music legends.
Ten City disbanded in the mid-1990s, but their music career continued to be celebrated worldwide. Stingily pursued a solo career and released several hit singles, including Get Up (Everybody) in 1994. Burke continued as a songwriter and producer and worked with Janet Jackson and Whitney Houston, among other artists. Jefferson remained active in the house music scene and collaborated with various musicians, including CeCe Rogers and Kevin Saunderson.
Ten City's musical style was a blend of gospel, soul, and funk, and house music. Their sound was characterised by Burke's pure, soaring vocals and Jefferson's intricate, layered beats and synth arrangements. Their influence on the evolution of house music was significant, and their music continues to inspire dance music producers worldwide.
In conclusion, Ten City remains an iconic house music group that contributed to the evolution of the house music genre. Their debut album Foundation and fourth album No House Big Enough are classic albums that have stood the test of time and solidified their legacy in the dance music scene. Ten City's unique blend of gospel, soul, and funk music styles and house music is admired and emulated by many contemporary music producers. Ten City was a groundbreaking group that broke the boundaries of house music and set a path for future dance music artists to follow.
