That lot pictured above are Rosa Mota (but you can tell that as the promo picture says so).
It’s of course Rosa Mota the band as opposed to Rosa Mota the famous marathon runner.
The band formed in 1992 and consisted of Ian Bishop (vocals/guitar), Julie Rumsey (vocals/guitar), Sacha Galvagna (guitar), Michelle Marti (bass) and Justin Chapman (drums). Their first two singles were released on Placebo Records after which they signed to Mute imprint, Thirteenth Hour Recordings.
The debut album was called Wishful Sinking and was released in 1995.
But it was only with the release of the follow-up LP, Bionic, in 1996, that they first came to my notice.
And all because of Clare Grogan.
Readers of old will know my infatuation with the ex-Altered Images singer and will understand why I sat up and took notice of Rosa Mota.
The most-perfect woman ever to stride planet pop had been a long time away from the scene, concentrating instead on an acting career. But then the world was informed that she had sung joint lead vocals on one of the tracks on Bionic and there were even rumours she might join the band. The music papers carried a story that Clare had co-wrote a song not featured on Bionic for use on a future single, and quoted her as saying
“It was amazing, it was really nice, no pressure, and it made me realise that I enjoy being in a band. Working with Rosa Mota brought the fun back into it for me.”
That was good enough for me, so out I went and bought the CD.
Which turned out to be nothing more than OK, although it does have the brilliantly titled From Her To Maternity as an album opener (sadly the title is better than the song).
Clare’s effort is however, well worth a listen:-
mp3 : Rosa Mota – This Grudge
Just a pity the proposal came to nothing. On this evidence, we could have had something asking to the pixie of pop fronting a PJ Harvey type band.
The album was produced by Steve Albini and is full of his trademarks such as sonic guitar bursts and a near live feeling to the record with few overdubs. But while there is very little on the album to make it truly stand out as distinctive and special, it does contain a genuine hidden classic that was released as a 45:-
mp3 : Rosa Mota – Space Junk
Another that should have been a hit when you think of all the Britpop crap that got into the charts roundabout the same time.
Happy Listening.
THE NEW VINYL VILLAIN 