Groove Armada

London dance duo Groove Armada consist of Tom Findlay and Andy Cato. The group formed in the mid-'90s after Findlay and Cato were introduced by the latter's girlfriend and soon started their own club, also named Groove Armada (after a '70s discotheque), which featured their spinning. By 1997 they released a handful of singles, including "4 Tune Cookie" and "At the River"; their debut album, Northern Star, followed the next year. Issued in 1999, Vertigo made the Top 20 of the British charts and silver status in the U.K. The album's singles achieved similar heights, including "I See You Baby," which was remixed by Fatboy Slim. The group followed this success with a stint as Elton John's opening band and with the U.S. release of Vertigo in early 2000. An album of remixes followed shortly after, featuring post-productions by DJ Icey and Tim "Love" Lee. After releasing a mix album, Back to Mine, the duo returned with a sophomore production effort, 2001's Goodbye Country (Hello Nightclub). Two years later, Lovebox highlighted a new kind of funk for Groove Armada, with kitschy vibes and collaborative efforts coming from Neneh Cherry, Nappy Roots, and R&B chanteuse Sunshine Anderson. Soundboy Rock, released in 2007, continued the emphasis on catchy hooks and became the fourth straight GA album to reach the British Top Ten. Black Light, a darker affair featuring vocals from Saintsaviour, was released three years later. A remix album, White Light, followed it near the end of 2010. ~ Heather Phares, Rovi