Amber (performer) 884529 225533402 2008-07-14T04:51:45Z Nihil novi 4062893 {{Unreferenced|date=January 2008}} {{Infobox Musical artist |Img = Replace this image female.svg <!-- only free-content images are allowed for depicting living people. Non-free and "fair use" images, e.g. promo photos, CD/DVD covers, posters, screen captures, etc., will be deleted - see [[WP:NONFREE]] --> | |Img_size = 150 | | Name =Amber | Background = solo_singer | Birth_name =Marie-Claire Cremers | Born = {{birth date and age|1969|5|9}} | Origin = {{Flagicon|Netherlands}} [[Netherlands]], and raised in [[Germany]] | Genre = [[Eurodance]], [[Hi-NRG]], [[House music]], [[Dance-pop]], [[Pop/Rock]], [[Electronica]], [[Urban contemporary|Urban]], [[Adult Contemporary]] | Associated_acts = | Occupation = [[singer-songwriter]], [[record producer]] | Years_active = 1990&ndash;present <small>(singer)</small> | Label = [[Tommy Boy Records]] (1994-2002), [[Rhino]], [[Ada]], [[Jmca Enterprises]] (2004-present) | URL = [http://www.amber-mcc.com Official website] }} '''Amber''' (born '''Marie-Claire Cremers''' on [[May 9]] [[1969]], [[Ubbergen]]) is a [[Netherlands|Dutch]]-born and [[Germany]]-raised [[singer/songwriter]], label owner and executive producer. Her biggest hits include "This Is Your Night," "One More Night," "If You Could Read My Mind," "[[Sexual (Li Da Di)]]," "Yes!" and "You Move Me." ==Music== Amber's music in its original form can be accurately categorized as [[Eurodance]], [[Hi-NRG]], [[House music]], [[Dance-pop]], [[Pop/Rock]], and [[Electronica]] mingled with some [[Urban contemporary]] slow jams and [[Adult Contemporary]] ballads. Amber's club mixes have run the gamut from [[House music|House]] in its various styles to vocal [[Trance music|Trance]]. Amber is played extensively on Rhythmic format stations and the newly formed "Rhythmic AC" format which plays [[Disco]], [[Hi-NRG]], [[House]], 1980s and 1990s mainstream Dance and [[Dance-pop]] hits and [[Quiet Storm]], [[Adult Contemporary]] and [[Urban contemporary]]. ==Releases== ===''This Is Your Night''=== Amber's debut album ''[[This Is Your Night]]'' was released in late [[1996]], following the success of the single of the same name. Amber became the first Euro-NRG artist to be signed directly to a label as a solo artist. The album was a mainstream European hit, but did not fare as successfully in America where dance musicians' singles are usually far more commercially successful than their entire albums. The album featured mostly [[Hi-NRG]], [[Eurodance]] and [[House music]] songs with a few romantically- or sensually-toned [[Urban contemporary]] ballads such as "Let It Rain," "Are You The One" and "Losing Myself In Your Love." Those songs also proved she was as capable of tackling ballads like any other pop artist. Still the album sold well on the album chart for club/dance music. Standout tracks include "Hold My Body Tight," "Being With You," "Can You Feel The Love," "This Is The Right Time" and "Push It to the Limit." ===Tracklisting=== * "This Is Your Night" * "Move Your Body" * "Colour of Love" * "Are You The One" * "One More Night" * "Push It to the Limit" * "Being With You" * "Hold My Body Tight" * "Can You Feel The Love" * "Losing Myself in Your Love" * "Let It Rain" * "This Is The Right Time" * "This Is Your Night" (House Mix) * "Colour of Love" (House Mix) ====Singles:==== *[[1996]] - '''This Is Your Night''' :Amber is best known for this, her [[1996]] debut single. It quickly became a worldwide smash hit, crossing over from the [[rhythmic]] and [[club]] charts to the [[Billboard Hot 100]] (peak #24) in America, attaining a gold certification from the [[RIAA certification|RIAA]], becoming her only sales certification there. It also charted at #40 in the [[Adult contemporary music|Adult Top 40]] radio. In Australia it peaked at #11, in Japan it peaked at #3. The song also appeared in the film ''[[A Night at the Roxbury]]'', as well as appearing on the film's soundtrack. *[[1997]] - '''Colour of Love''' :The album's second single peaked at #74 in the pop charts in America, despite American club success and European success. In Australia it peaked at #58. *[[1997]] - '''One More Night ([[Hani (producer)|Hani]] Remix)''' :This song was originally a ballad on the ''[[This Is Your Night]]'' album but was given a dance beat by [[Hani (producer)|Hani]]. It became a pop hit in America, peaking at #58 on the [[Hot 100]]. ==="If You Could Read My Mind" (single)=== In [[1998]], Amber also teamed up with fellow international dance divas [[Jocelyn Enriquez]] and [[Ultra Nate]] to record a remake of [[Gordon Lightfoot]]'s [[If You Could Read My Mind (song)|"If You Could Read My Mind"]] for the ''[[54 (film)|Studio 54]]'' movie soundtrack, which was released under the group name [[Stars on 54]]. It became an American hit that summer. ===''Amber''=== Amber's second album, released in [[1999]] on Tommy Boy Records, featured an alluring array of soulful [[Dance-pop]], [[Hi-NRG]] and [[House music]] song with a few [[Urban contemporary]] songs such as "Object of Desire." The song "Above the Clouds" was prominently featured on the final episode of Season Three of television series, "[[Sex and The City]]." So far, it is her most well-received album by the American Pop mainstream. This album allowed Amber to songwrite with top songwriters/producers [[Rick Nowels]] and [[Billy Steinberg]] on "[[Sexual (Li Da Di)]]," "Above the Clouds," and "[[Love One Another]]." ===Tracklisting=== * "Above the Clouds" * "Love One Another" * "Spiritual Virginity" * "Object of Desire" * "Sexual (Li Da Di) * "Without You" * "I Found Myself In You" * "If I'm Not the One" * "Let's Do It for Love" * "Don't Wanna Stop" * "If You Could Read My Mind" * "How Can I Tell?" * "I'm Free" * "Sexual (Li Da Di)" (Remix) ====Singles:==== *[[1999]] - '''Sexual (Li Da Di)''' : The first single from this album, became a pop hit, peaking at #42 on the [[Billboard Hot 100]]. It also reached Number One on the American club charts. It peaked at #70 in Australia and at #34 in the UK. *[[2000]] - '''Above the Clouds''' *[[2000]] - '''Love One Another''' : Aside from "Sexual (Li Da Di)," the other singles did not become mainstream hits in America -- despite MTV2's airplay of the music video for "Love One Another." The singles also became number one club hits and dance format radio hits, dominating the dance scene along with "Sexual." They were also international Pop successes. ===''Remixed''=== In [[2000]], Amber released the album ''Remixed,'' which contained [[remix]]es of all her previous singles, including "If You Could Read My Mind." It also included a popular non-album track called "Taste The Tears." ===Track listing=== * "Taste The Tears" (Thunderpuss Original Mix) * "Love One Another" (Pathos Original Mix) * "Sexual (Li Da Di)" (Deep Dish Cheez Wiz remix) * "Above The Clouds" (Eric Krupper Remix) * "If You Could Read My Mind" (Eric Krupper Remix) * "One More Night" (Hani Remix) * "This Is Your Night" (Mousse T Remix) * "If You Could Read My Mind" (Hex Hector Epic Piano Mix) * "This Is Your Night" (Junior Vasquez Sunday Night Bump Extended Mix) * "Above The Clouds" (Thunderpuss Remix) * "Taste The Tears" (Thunderpuss Remix) * "Love One Another" (Mystic Remix) * "Sexual (Li Da Di)" (Plasma Trance Mix) ===''Naked''=== Amber's third album was released in early [[2002]] and displayed a more stripped-down Amber. It was her first album not produced mainly by the Berman Brothers. Musically, Amber continued the path she had started with its predecessor: she continued to write more of her own lyrics and attempted even more of a departure from her original [[Eurodance]] sound. This album would be considered more of a [[Dance-pop]] album with a few [[Adult Contemporary]] songs and some [[House|House music]] songs on it. However, it still features her trademark [[Eurodance]] and [[Hi-NRG]] styled songs. Standout tracks include "Sex Without Sex," "Heavenly Proximity," "Sex and The City," "The Smile of My Child," and "Sexual (Li Da Di) (Afterlife Chillout Remix)." ===Tracklisting=== * "Yes!" * "The Need To Be Naked" * "Anyway (Men Are from Mars)" * "You're Sent from Heaven" * "Dirty Thoughts" * "He" * "Sex Without Sex" * "Love on You" * "If There Would Be No Tomorrow" * "Heavenly Proximity" * "Sex and The City" * "Don't Say Goodbye" * "Sexual (Li Da Di)" [Afterlife Chillout Remix] * "The Smile of My Child" * "The Need To Be Naked" (Thunderpuss Club Mix) ====Singles:==== *[[2001]] - '''Yes!''' :The first single from this album, was a perfect example of the newer, deeper direction Amber was taking in her work. "Yes" borrowed its chorus from the final few lines of [[James Joyce]]'s controversial novel ''[[Ulysses (novel)|Ulysses]]''. For a lead Amber single, it received a luke-warm response from American radio. However, it became a #1 smash hit in the American dance clubs- her sixth consecutive #1 on that chart. (Amber has subsequently commented that the difficulties obtaining airplay display a double standard, in that many sexually explicit songs by men obtain airplay, but radio stations are uncomfortable with a song by a woman expressing her sexual desire that explicitly used the word "breasts"). *[[2002]] - '''The Need To Be Naked''' :This became Amber's seventh consecutive number one in the [[United States|American]] club charts and again received high rotation airplay on the Dance format but received little American pop radio airplay. *[[2002]] - '''Anyway (Men Are From Mars)''' :This was a hit on the [[United States|American]] club charts and Dance format radio but also received even less American radio airplay than her two previous singles. This was the most viable single for the mainstream pop charts. ===''My Kind of World''=== In late [[2004]], Amber released her fourth studio album, "My Kind of World." This was her first release on her own label, JMCA Enterprises, as well as her first album to stylistically break free of her dance classification (although the album's singles have been released on CD-Single with several dance remixes). Its first single, "You Move Me," was released to radio and nightclubs in late August. ===Tracklisting=== * "Crucified Solitude" * "You Move Me" * "Voodoo" * "Same Old Paradise" * "Sacrificial Lamb" * "Private War" * "When a Love Grows Cold" * "Just Like That (Romeo and Juliet)" * "City of Pain" * "Your Kind of World" * "More Time for a Child" * "Don't Follow Me Home" ====Singles:==== * [[2004]] - '''You Move Me''' It swiftly climbed the [[dance]] and [[club]] charts following its release, though it has received no mainstream radio support. "You Move Me" achieved a #4 peak on the Billboard [[Hot Dance Music/Club Play]] chart in September. The song did make other music consumers outside her fan base take notice of her as an artist. The standout mix of "You Move Me" are the "Summer Vienna Mix" and the "Hi-NRG Mix." * [[2005]] - '''Voodoo''' The Maxi Single release "Voodoo" in June 2005. It peaked at #13 on the [[Hot Dance Music/Club Play]]. It also peaked in the Top 10 or at #1 on several radio stations. The CD-single became so high in demand that it went out of stock on amazon.com about three times after its release. The most popular mixes of "Voodoo" with disco jockeys and fans alike are the "Sweet Rains Radio Edit", "Zen Club Mix" and the "Ugly Doll Club Mix." * [[2005]] - '''Just Like That''' The third and final single lifted from "My Kind of World", "Just Like That", is as of February 2006 a Top Ten Dance Format Radio hit in America. It even peaked at #1 on several radio stations. It gained the most airplay of the three singles. Amber's bold move to explore her interest in Pop/Rock music did what it was meant to go. She gained hundreds of new fans,{{Fact|date=October 2007}} many of whom were either unfamiliar with her club-edged Dance-Pop hits or were not into the sound of music presented on her other albums."Just Like That" peaked at #6 on the [[Hot Dance Music/Club Play]] chart. Standout mixes of "Just Like That" are the "Jason Nevins Radio Remi", "Jason Nevins Club Mix", "Sweet Rain Main Radio Remix", and the "Wolfram Dettki Birthday Girl Ballad" mix. This mix is intended for [[Soft AC]] radio airplay. ==2006 and beyond== Amber's new single "[[Melt With the Sun]]" features mixes by a stellar list of producers including [[Tracy Young]] and [[Hex Hector]] among others. "Melt With the Sun" charted in January 2007. It has hit the Top 10 or #1 on several Rhythmic/Dance format radio stations. Amber is also working on her fifth album. ''Undanced II'' is out now with 12 digital downloads or the physical CD with 17 unreleased tracks/remixes plus the "[[Melt With the Sun]]" extended video. The album is available for purchase now from Amber's official website. ===Albums=== *''[[This Is Your Night]]'' (Tommy Boy Records 1996) *''[[Amber (album)|Amber]]'' (Tommy Boy Records 1999) *''Remixed'' (Tommy Boy Records 1999) *''[[Naked]]'' (Tommy Boy Records 2002) *''[[My Kind of World]]'' (JMCA 2004) *''Undanced II'' (JMCA 2007) ===Singles=== *1996 "This Is Your Night" *1997 "Colour Of Love" *1998 "One More Night" *1999 "If You Could Read My Mind" feat. [[Ultra Nate]] and [[Jocelyn Enriquez]] *2000 "Sexual (Li Da Di)" *2000 "Love One Another" *2000 "Above The Clouds" *2001 "Yes!" *2002 "The Need To Be Naked" *2003 "Anyway (Men Are From Mars)" *2004 "You Move Me" *2005 "Voodoo" *2006 "Just Like That" *2007 "Melt With the Sun" *2008 "This Is Your Night 2008" ==See also== *[[List of Number 1 Dance Hits (United States)]] *[[List of artists who reached number one on the US Dance chart]] *[[Mononymous persons]] ==External links== *[http://www.amber-mcc.com - Amber's Official website] - Among other things, her website includes a discussion board on which Amber frequently corresponds directly with her fans. *[http://www.myspace.com/ambersings Amber's Myspace] *[http://www.Dance-Music-Space.com/AmberMusic.html Amber on Dance-Music-Space.com] {{BD|1969|LIVING|Amber (performer)}} [[Category:American dance musicians]] [[Category:American house musicians]] [[Category:American pop singers]] [[Category:American singer-songwriters]] [[Category:Dutch musicians]] [[Category:Eurodance musicians]] [[Category:Female rock singers]] [[Category:Mononymous persons]] [[Category:People from Gelderland]] [[es:Amber]] [[fr:Amber (chanteuse)]] [[pl:Amber (piosenkarka)]] [[pt:Amber (cantora)]]