Years active 1982–1984 Genres Post-disco, Garage house | Active until 1984 | |
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Past members Deems J. Smith
Darryl K. Henry
Mona M. Norris Origin New York City, New York, United States (1982) Record labels Prelude Records, Columbia Records Similar Trae, Lil B, Big Hawk, Angie Brown, Elroy Powell | ||
Unique was a short-lived post-disco studio act from New York, best known for their crossover number "What I Got Is What You Need" released in 1983 for a well-established dance label, Prelude Records. The group was formed by producer/songwriter Deems J. Smith in 1982 and consists of Smith, Mona Norris, and Darryl K. Henry. The said hit song somewhat established itself on the Billboard Dance Singles and Black Singles charts and even scored over the atlantic reaching No. 27 on UK Singles Chart.
Contents
History
Around 1982, record producer Deems J. Smith hired studio musicians to appear in a project he named Unique. He was signed to dance record label Prelude and under this name released two singles: "What I Got Is What You Need" in 1983 and "You Make Me Feel So Good" in 1984. Other people involved in the group were Mona Maria Norris and Darryl K. Henry who co-wrote "What I Got Is What You Need." Smith wrote the second song alone and it was mixed by an aspiring dance-pop producer Shep Pettibone.
Singles
Compilation appearances
Their song "What I Got Is What You Need" has been reissued on various compilation albums well into the 21st century including, but not limited to:
Legacy
Japanese rock musician Toshiki Kadomatsu's adopted portions of "What I Got Is What You Need" into "Step Into the Night," a B-side to "Girl In The Box 〜22時までの君は…I." It was a Japan-only release by the Victor-RCA label RVC. The song can be found on his 1984 album AFTER 5 CLASH.
English acid house/electronic music group 808 State's song "Anacodia" samples vocals of "What I Got Is What You Need." The song is on their 1989 album 90.
Songs
What I Got Is What You Need1983
My Hauz2013
Straight Dick2017