52nd Street
52nd Street was a British jazz-funk and soul group from Manchester, England, active primarily during the 1980s. They are best remembered for their 1986 crossover hit "Tell Me (How It Feels)" and for being one of the first soul acts signed to the legendary indie label Factory Records.
Formed in late 1980, the original lineup included Tony Henry (guitar), Derrick Johnson (bass), Desmond Isaacs (keyboards), Tony Thompson (drums), and Jennifer McCloud (vocals). Despite interest from major labels, they signed with Manchester's Factory Records (home to Joy Division and New Order) in 1981. Their debut single, "Look Into My Eyes" (1982), was followed by "Cool As Ice" (1983), which became a top 30 hit on the U.S. Billboard Dance Chart after being remixed by John "Jellybean" Benitez.
The band underwent significant changes, most notably with Diane Charlemagne (later a renowned vocalist for Moby and Urban Cookie Collective) taking over lead vocals. The group left Factory Records in 1985 after internal management disputes and signed with Virgin’s 10 Records (UK) and MCA (US).
Produced by Philadelphia's Nick Martinelli, the single "Tell Me (How It Feels)" became their biggest success, reaching #8 on the U.S. Billboard R&B chart and #54 in the UK. Their debut album, Children of the Night (1986), also spawned the UK hits "You're My Last Chance" and "I Can't Let You Go".
Their second album, Something's Going On (1987), was less successful commercially, though the single "I'll Return" charted in the U.S.. The group released one final single, "Say You Will," in 1988 before disbanding. In 1990, members Diane Charlemagne and Tony Bowry re-emerged as Cool Down Zone, releasing the UK charting single "Heaven Knows". Vocalist Diane Charlemagne, who passed away in 2015, is scheduled to be honored with a blue plaque in Manchester in June 2025 to commemorate her contributions to music.
Children Of The Night
Written-By – Tony Henry
3:51
A2 Never Give Up On You
Synthesizer [Piano And Bass] – John Dennison
Written-By – Diane Charlemagne, John Dennison
4:26
A3 You're My Last Chance
Lyrics By [Rap] – Nick Martinelli
Written-By – Tony Henry
4:45
A4 Abandon Love
Written-By – John Dennison, Tony Henry
3:43
A5 Children Of The Night
Written-By – Diane Charlemagne, John Dennison, Tony Bowry
5:12
B1 Look I've Heard
Written-By – John Dennison, Tony Henry
4:15
B2 I Can't Let You Go
Written-By – Diane Charlemagne, John Dennison
4:23
B3 Smiling Eyes
Written-By – Diane Charlemagne, Tony Bowry
5:15
B4 I'm Available
Written-By – John Dennison, Tony Henry
5:24
B5 Let's Celebrate
Written-By – Tony Henry
3:24
Label: 10 Records – DIX 25
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: UK
Released: 1985
Genre: R&B Soul, Funk
Style: Eighties Soul, Disco
52nd Street’s 1985 debut album, Children of the Night, is a highly regarded British R&B/soul-funk project, blending 80s synth-pop with grooves reminiscent of Loose Ends.
Produced partly with Nick Martinelli, the album is celebrated for its consistent, upbeat tracks and strong, sophisticated sound, featuring standout, dance-oriented, and soulful songs like "Tell Me (How It Feels)" and "You're My Last Chance".
The album is noted for avoiding the worst excesses of 1980s production, delivering a "warm and inviting" yet modern sound for its time.
Highlights: "Tell Me (How It Feels)," "Children of the Night," "Look I've Heard," "I Can't Let You Go," "Smiling Eyes," and "You're My Last Chance" are frequently cited as top tracks.
While sometimes confused with other 80s groups, the Manchester-based band received praise for this album, with some reviewers considering it a classic of its era and a solid, "no filler" record.
Children of the Night is generally considered a standout in 80s UK soul, often lauded for its quality production and strong, memorable songwriting. It reached #71 on the UK Albums chart and #23 on Billboard's R&B Albums chart.
Something’s Going On
Written-By – Tony Henry 5:26
A2 I Do I Do
Written-By – Diane Charlemagne, John Dennison, Tony Bowry 4:18
A3 Something's Going On
Arranged By – Pete Levin
Written-By – Diane Charlemagne, John Dennison, Lenny White, Tony Bowry 4:52
A4 Seven
Written-By – Diane Charlemagne, John Dennison, Lenny White, Tony Bowry 5:03
A5 What Did I Do Wrong?
Written-By – Tony Henry 4:49
B1 Are You Receiving Me?
Written-By – Tony Henry 4:47'
B2 Tomorrow
Written-By – Diane Charlemagne, John Dennison, Tony Bowry 5:08
B3 Memories
Written-By – Diane Charlemagne, John Dennison, Tony Bowry 4:03
B4 Something To Remind Me
Written-By – Diane Charlemagne, John Dennison, Tony Bowry 4:30
B5 Tell The Truth
Written-By – Tony Henry 4:28
Label: MCA Records – MCA-42079
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1987
Genre: R&B Electronic
Style: Disco Funk, Synth-pop
Something's Going On was the second album by the British soul/funk band 52nd Street, a shift from their indie roots to a slicker, major-label sound with jazz-fusion/synth-pop elements, featuring Diane Charlemagne's vocals over electronic textures and breakbeats, but it failed commercially despite production by Lenny White, leading to the band's breakup after its release, notes Rate Your Music and Amazon UK.
A blend of jazz-funk with electronic, synth-pop, and R&B sounds, featuring glassy synths and tough breakbeats, a departure from their earlier work.
Produced by American jazz drummer Lenny White, who also played drums, with guest Michael Brecker on sax, but the songs were seen as weak, notes Rate Your Music and Discogs.
Diane Charlemagne's warm, subtle, jazz-inflected voice was a highlight, notes Rate Your Music.
After leaving Factory Records, the band signed to MCA in the US, aiming for a bigger sound, but the album flopped, causing the band to split, according to Amazon UK and Rate Your Music.
It was a commercial disappointment, failing to chart significantly in the UK or US, marking the end of 52nd Street before Charlemagne's later success with Goldie and the Urban Cookie Collective.
Something's Going On is generally viewed as a significant step down from 52nd Street's debut, a misguided attempt at a new sound that alienated fans and ultimately led to the band's demise