N-Trance

Kevin O'Toole and Dale Longworth formed N-Trance, in 1990, after meeting at Oldham College in Greater Manchester, where they were both studying sound engineering. They were signed by Pete Waterman's 380 Records (a sub-label of PWL), under the name N-Trance. Vocalist Kelly Llorenna sang on their first song, "Set You Free", recorded at Revolution Studios in Cheadle Hulme in July 1992. It was not released as a single, and N-Trance bought their contract with 380 Records. They signed to a new label, All Around the World in September 1993.[3]

By now, N-Trance had developed their live shows and were gaining some popularity, and on their new label, "Set You Free" was finally released, in 1993, rising to No. 82 in the charts.

In 1994, "Set You Free" was re-released achieving a higher chart position of No. 39.[2] N-Trance's next single was a Eurodance song called "Turn Up the Power" which included vocals from Rachel McFarlane, of Loveland, and a rap by T-1K. This song rose to No. 23.[3]

After a few years of performing live over the UK, N-Trance's popularity and the reception towards "Set You Free" had increased significantly. The record was in popular demand, and after a third release of the song in 1995, the single became a huge hit, being played by television and radio stations, reaching No. 2 in the charts and being certified Platinum in the UK, after selling over 600,000 copies. The single was also released in other European countries and Australia.[3]

The group recorded their first full-length album, Electronic Pleasure, in November 1995, which featured seven vocalists including David Grant, and musicians such as Vinny Burns and Snake Davis.[3]

The group's next single, a surprising cover of the Bee Gees hit "Stayin' Alive", was not only a massive international hit, but also featured a vocalist who would help define N-Trance's sound in the future, Ricardo da Force, formerly rapper with the KLF. Upon its release in the UK it debuted at no. 2, and internationally it became one of the biggest UK exports of 1995, reaching no. 1 in Australia and being top 5 in a number of European charts.

Their second full-length album, Happy Hour, was released in 1999.[3]

Hit singles from the album included cover versions of Rod Stewart's "Da Ya Think I'm Sexy?" and Ottawan's "D.I.S.C.O.", and the hardcore techno clatter of "The Mind of the Machine", which featured the actor Steven Berkoff.[2]

In February 2009, the group released The Mind of the Machine as their third album. Two new tracks ("Free Running" and "The Earth Is Dying") were recorded for the album to go with the recordings previously made in 1997. The album was released as digital download only.