Allure (group)

Infobox Musical artist
Name = Allure


Background = group_or_band
Current_members = Linnie Belcher
Alia Davis
Lalisha McClean
Akissa Mendez
Born =
Died =
Origin = New York City, United States
Genre = R&B
Occupation =
Years_active = 1997–present
Label = MCA
Associated_acts =
URL =

Allure is a New York-based female R&B quartet that formed in the early 1990s. The group consists of members Linnie Belcher, Alia Davis, Akissa Mendez, and Lalisha McLean.

Allure got their chance when they met Poke of the Trackmasters production team, who gave them an audition in 1996. He was impressed and signed the girls to Trackmasters bestowing them with their name, Allure. It was through his help that the girls were able to become the first group signed to Mariah Carey's Crave Records under the name of Allure.

They were the first group to be signed to Mariah Carey's Crave Records. They released their debut self-titled album in 1997. The album featured the gold-selling single "Head Over Heels" (featuring Nas) (US #35), "All Cried Out" (featuring 112), a Lisa Lisa and Cult Jam cover and their biggest hit to date (US #4), and finally "Last Chance".

After being released from Mariah Carey's label, Allure signed with MCA Records in 2000, eventually issuing their second album "Sunny Days" in 2001. That album went unnoticed due to an almost invisible promotion campaign, yielding two singles: "Enjoy Yourself" (of which the remix featuring former collaborator LL Cool J), and "Kool Wit' Me" which was produced by Allstar. Soon after, member Linnie Belcher left the group, and they signed with NBA player Ron Artest's newly formed label, Truwarier Records, distributed by Lightyear Entertainment.

In 2002 they appeared in the Tom Jones' Mr. Jones album, in the song "The Letter". The album was produced by Wyclef Jean, Jerry 'Wonder' Duplessis and Jones himself.

Late 2004 saw the release of their third album, aptly titled "Chapter III", in reference to their lineup change and this being their third album. It didn't become a big hit, seeing how it was on an independent label, although it did receive considerable press due to Ron Artest's suspension from the NBA that year. Two singles were released as well, 2004's "Uh Oh" featuring reggae artist Elephant Man, and 2005's "I Think I'm In Love" featuring rapper Joe Budden.

In late 2005 it was announced that Allure were finally returning to the UK after a 7 year absence from the charts. They had two hits in the UK, "Head Over Heels" which reached #18 and "All Cried Out" which managed a #12 peak. The band have been released through Truwarier Record's license deal with UK independent label NiceTunes and release their new single, a double 'a' side of "Hate 2 Luv U" and "Uh Oh" featuring Elephant Man on February 6 2006. Their album "Chapter III" was released in the UK for the first time on January 30 2006 and contains a UK exclusive track "You Are The Man" as well as a bonus remix of "Hate 2 Luv U".

Discography

Albums

*1997: "Allure"
*2001: "Sunny Days"
*2004: "Chapter III"

ingles

*1997: "All Cried Out" (featuring 112)
*1997: "Head Over Heels" (featuring Nas)
*1997: "No Question" (featuring LL Cool J)
*1997: "Last Chance"
*2001: "Enjoy Yourself"
*2001: "Enjoy Yourself" (Remix) (featuring LL Cool J)
*2001: "Kool Wit Me" (Produced by Allstar)
*2004: "Uh Oh" (featuring Elephant Man)
*2005: "I Think I'm In Love" (featuring Joe Budden) (Digital)
*2005: "Frustration" (Urban AC Radio Single)
*2006: "Hate 2 Luv U"

External links

* [http://www.rnbhaven.com/90s-music/artists/Allure/47 Allure Bio]
* [http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendID=102872233 Allure Myspace]