Beautifully Loyal Nicole Edwards

Nicole Rieu débute au milieu des années 1960 au sein d'un groupe d'adolescents appelé « Les Spits ». En 1969, elle fait la rencontre de Lucien Morisse, directeur d'Europe 1 et des Disques AZ, rencontre qui va aussitôt sceller son destin. Celui-ci, enthousiasmé par la jeune chanteuse lors d'une audition, lui propose immédiatement un contrat discographique chez Disques AZ et dissuade ses parents de lui laisser continuer ses études. Elle enregistre son premier 45 tours avec Jean Musy. Dès 1969 avec ses propres compositions (Si les oiseaux pouvaient parler, Le soleil, Que dirais-tu ?, Un amour, etc.), elle chante à l'Olympia (Paris) en première partie de Daniel Guichard, de Joe Dassin, de Serge Lama, d'Enrico Macias et de Salvatore Adamo. Elle publie le 45 tours Espagne en 1970 avec la chanson J'aime tant en face B. Trois ans plus tard, en 1973, elle est repérée par Barclay avec qui elle signe un contrat de disque. Nicole connaît alors, dès son arrivée, un très grand succès avec la chanson Je suis, une chanson dont la musique est composée par André Georget et Jean-Pierre Mirouze et le texte est écrit par Mitzi Bravine, et qui s'avère être un énorme tube sur les ondes radiophoniques. Sa carrière populaire est alors lancée. Le compositeur Jean-Pierre Goussaud lui signe la chanson Homme en 1974, et l'année suivante, Nicole publie son premier album solo, le disque Naissance.

It's not the first time I listen to an album with pleasure, on the cover of which the name Nicole Zureitis appears. A very strong American vocalist, who is currently in the top group of jazz singers, has released a new album, which is certainly a milestone on her creative path. The fact is that for the first time, Nicole managed to work on How Love Begins with such a bright personality as Christian McBride. They have known each other for a long time and highly appreciate each other's work, but whimsical work schedules have only now given them the opportunity to meet in one project. Christian not only participated in the recording of the album as a bassist, but also co-produced the project as a whole. Of the other participants in the recording, one cannot fail to mention the very strong Israeli guitarist Gilad Gekselman, and, of course, the constant participant in all projects of Nicole, her husband, also an Israeli, drummer Dan Pugach.

We told the first part of the Contours’ story in “Dance With The Contours”, taking it up to the point where, in late 1964, the group members conspired to strike for more pay and better working conditions. Motown got wind of this plan, did a deal with lead singer Billy Gordon and let the other Contours go. “Just A Little Misunderstanding” (an apt description of that event, perhaps) takes the story on from here. A new team of Contours – Alvin English, Jerry Green and Council Gay – were recruited, although English didn’t last long and original member Sylvester Potts was re-enlisted to take his place. The group continued to score hits, with ‘Can You Jerk Like Me’ and ‘First I Look At The Purse’, and had a sure-fire follow-up in the can with ‘Baby Hit And Run’ when Billy Gordon got in trouble with the law and was ousted from the group. Ex-Falcon Joe Stubbs took his place.