Mai Tai (band)

Mai Tai is a Dutch group (named after a tropical cocktail) that was formed in 1983, by the Dutch record producers Eric van Tijn and Jochem Fluitsma. With three former backing vocalists Jetty Wheels, Mildred Douglas and Caroline de Windt, they created a Dutch soul, disco and pop act.

Career

Their debut single, "Keep On Dancin'" (1983) was only a hit in the Dutch nightclubs. In the summer of 1984 they released a second single, "What Goes On". It became their first hit in the Dutch Top 40, peaking at number 30. Following tracks like "Body And Soul" and "Am I Losing You Forever" also hit the charts, but never managed to reach the Top 20 in the Netherlands.

In early 1985 they released their debut album, called Mai Tai, which won a Dutch Edison Award and a Silver Harp. Their international breakthrough came with "History" from the debut album. This song was successful all over Europe, and became a #8 hit in the UK Singles Chart^[1] and reached the Top 20 in Germany. It was also a hit in New Zealand and Australia and entered the U.S. Billboard dance chart. In 1986 their song "Female Intuition" became a Top 40 hit across Europe, and made Top 10 in Denmark.

"Body and Soul" was re-released in the UK and became their second UK Top 10 hit, peaking at #9.^[1] After their international breakthrough, Mai Tai also became more popular in the Netherlands. The follow-up single, "Turn Your Love Around" from the second album, 1 Touch 2 Much, went straight into the Top 10 of the Dutch Top 40.

Mai Tai could not manage to maintain the success. Their third album, Cool Is The Rule was less successful in the charts, with two minor hits: 'Bet, that's what you say' and 'Fight fire with fire'. After this album they released another single: 'Dance in the light'(in 1988) but this was no success. In 1991 a 'Best Of' album was released. A few years later they decided to split up.

In 2003 Mai Tai was reunited, and some new tracks were released unsuccessfully.

The song "History" is featured on Grand Theft Auto: Episodes From Liberty City (2009), which has an exclusive radio station called Vice City FM, featuring many more hits from the '80s.

"Body and Soul" has been remixed by production duo 7th Heaven for a 2010 release.

References

1. ^ ^{a b} Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 344. ISBN 1-904994-10-5. 

External links

• Mai Tai's official site