Madleen Kane - Forbidden Love

Madleen Kane is a model and singer born in Malmo,Sweden in 1958 to a Swedish father and American mother. A former Elite fashion model, she had five Top 10 hits on the US Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart, debuting in the late 70's and peaking in the early eighties.

During the heyday of international imports crashing North American shores, Madleen's debut album "Rough Diamond", started a bidding war. Originally released in France on CBS, it was soon after signed to Warner Brothers in North America. Buoyed by the title track, it became a huge club hit on the Billboard Dance Chart. Its North American release included a promo only remix done by engineer Jimmy Simpson. Other highlights of "Diamond" included sultry covers of "C'est Si Bon" and "Fever", as well as the morning music classic "Touch My Heart".

Paris-based production team Michaele, Lana & Paul Sebastian produced the debut set. They are also known for their work on projects by the likes of Theo Vaness and one-off classic "Argentina Forever" by Pacific Blue both released on Prelude in the U.S.

"Cheri", Kane's 2nd CBS France/Warner Brothers release featured "Forbidden Love", a dramatic pop opus arranged by Munich Machine mainstay Thor Baldursson. In the tradition of classic sidelong medleys made famous by the likes of Donna Summer and Cerrone, Madleen's "A Side" suite of "Forbidden", the title track, its breakdown "Fire In My Heart" and "Secret Love Affair" gave her another blockbuster club hit running 15 minutes plus in length. Jim Burgess handled the remixes on the single, clocking in at just over eight minutes.

"You and I", a stunning ballad on the set, has become a wedding day classic in Canada, and was considered the best bet in an effort to cross Madleen over to the pop market.

Unlike the North American releases, both "Rough Diamond" and "Cheri" were released with gatefold covers in France, showcasing Madleen's obvious beauty. In addition, the mix on "Forbidden Love" is different on the American releases than their international counterparts. An additional song, "I Want You, Need You, Love You" was removed from North American releases.

At the beginning of the 80's, the production trio took Madleen to Chalet Records as part of the Prelude Records family, to release "Sounds Of Love", her 3rd album. Scoring with "Cherchez Pas", a decidedly more electronic outing that her usual symphonic disco works, the set also featured "Move Me With Your Love" and "Music Makes My Night". This album also marked the end of Madleen's work with the Paris-based production trio, who ironically signed another striking blonde international: Lenore O'Malley, who recorded "First, Be A Woman" with great success. The song was later covered by Gloria Gaynor.

After a brief hiatus, Madleen moved on to work with legendary producer Giorgio Moroder and longtime collaborator Pete Bellotte. "You Can", the 'Flashdance-esque' lead single from those sessions, became one of her biggest hits, along with "Fire In My Heart" & "Playing For Time". Highlighted by Moroder's trademark dizzying synthesizer arrangement and Kane's cooing vocals, both tracks became highlights of her 1980 "Sound Of My Heart" album. This album was released on Chalet Records, a label owned by her then-husband Jean-Claude Frederiech and distributed by legendary dance promoter, Tom Hayden and his TSR Record company, soon to be Madleen's next record label.

London's Ian Anthony Stephens and Megatone recording artist Paul Parker teamed up to give Madleen, "I'm No Angel", one of her biggest Billboard Dance Hits from her 1985 album, "Cover Girl".

A collection of her hits, "12 Inches And More", continues to be a strong seller for the artist who essentially retired from the music industry, commenting that she was bored with the recording process. "12 Inches" unfortunately does not featuring any of the extended mixes from her early career, with album versions being used in place of the remixes most likely due to ownership and licensing issues.

While unconfirmed, it is believed that Madleen was the one of the first, if not THE first Swedish female vocalist to enjoy success in the dance pop market in North America. She remains a favourite of dance music lovers throughout the world.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Disco

[ranus42]

Funny how liberal things were back then compared to now. This song and many others bring back so many memories of a time and era that I can't even put into words, I'm just glade I'm still here and doing great - but I miss those who aren't here. You just had to be there to really understand what this music embodies the 70's was fun. I have no problem with saying that and I love disco.

[carlosmiller]

@ranus42 I thinK exactly like you!!YOU ARE NOT ALONE!!

[esacnitsuj1]

Madleen Kane put out so many GR8 hits with Giorgio Moroder & later with Ian Anthony Stephens, Paul Parker, etc.

This will Always be one of my Faves. I still have a German Import LP (mint) with the extended mix of this :D Thanks for uploading Carlos :D

[carlosmiller]

@esacnitsuj1 Hi David! you are welcome!

[davidoak4Erdie]

In my 50s now...but everyday i know how lucky i was to grow up in this era of music....long live disco..... all the energy.... all the love... nothing has ever come close to this great time...moment in music history... Wherever you are Madleen...thank you with all my heart

[jacknjill3000]

This is soooo hot!!!! Disco forever!!!! Who said Disco Sucks??? Aliens???

[juverparadox]

"When beautiful melody and danceable rhythms were in vogue"

An antidote to vulgar hip hop.

[backintheday61]

@ranus42 ,,Definitely not ALONE!!..You had to be there to experience the GREAT MUSIC!

[esacnitsuj1]

@ranus42

Very True What You've Posted & A GR8 Comment @ That :-)

I'm a 70's - 90's Disc Jockey & IMHO. We seem to be going backward! Those were the days 4 sure. I don't Understand it cause it's 2011!!!

Are we going Back in Time ;-)

[ADamiani007]

To the person that asked.."What happened to music? Here's what happened. Back in the 80s...the laws of profanity and freedom of speech were challenged by a group called Two Live Crew...rappers...back then their music was labeled (by others...so don't lash out at me) "Audial Obscenity". They were allowed to sell more...and more of that stuff...others wanted in on the financial action...more like them sprung all over...and "real music" took a back seat to the profit-hungry labels. Sad...really.

[odalys66]

Great Music!!!!  Disco lives on....

[MEGABOINK65]

That 1 dislike is deaf. sorry to hear about your handycapp.