Lindy Layton

Lindy Layton (born Belinda Kimberly Layton, 7 December 1970) was a founding member of, and vocalist for, Beats International.

Career

Layton attended the Barbara Speake Stage School in the 1980s. Her group, Beats International, had a couple of hit singles in the early 1990s in the UK, including the Number one, "Dub Be Good to Me". Beats International released a debut album which sold moderately, "Let Them Eat Bingo".

In 1990, Layton signed a solo deal with Arista, and released her version of Janet Kay's hit, "Silly Games". The single was a notable hit, and further releases followed from her debut album, "Pressure" (released in 1991). However, these decreased in popularity with each release. "Pressure" was mostly produced by Norman Cook and dance-soul-funk outfit Driza Bone. The album's second single, "Echo My Heart" narrowly missed out on a UK Top 40 placing in January 1991. Whilst "Wait For Love" produced by Norman Cook failed to reach the UK Singles Chart altogether, in April of that year.

Layton's summer 1991 release of "Without You" followed. Again produced by Driza Bone, it sounded similar to their own hit, that same year, "Real Love". Although "Without You" sold better than Layton's previous single, it was still a flop.

Layton then released a one-off single for Debut Records in 1992. "I'll Be A Freak For You" also flopped, but remains a cult favourite amongst fans for its soulful production. The following year, Layton re-emerged with a new deal with PWL (Pete Waterman Limited). The new material was markedly more commercial, and two single releases of minor chart success were released in the UK: "We Got The Love" and "Show Me". Without the expected profitable return Layton parted company with PWL.

In Japan, she released a pop-reggae album, entitled, "No Other Star" in 1996, and went on to release other work as Hardknox with fellow DJ Steve P the same year. They were signed to Skint Records and released their debut single "Coz I Can" which was given "Single of the Week" honors by NME. The group's second effort, the "Psychopath" EP, received the same recognition. After various performing remixes for artists such as Orgy, Crystal Method, and Faith No More, plus appearing on a various compilations and mixes, a self-titled LP was released in 1999 by Jive Electro.

Layton's voice is very similar to Jennifer Lopez, and ex-Eternal bandmember, Louise Nurding. It is believed she at one stage dated Fatboy Slim and was the inspiration for the first track he recorded under that name, "Song for Lindy".

External links

* [http://www.discogs.com/artist/Lindy+Layton Disogs.com Profile]
* [http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=11:3ll67ui080j0 Allmusic.com Profile for Hardknox]
* [http://pitchforkmedia.com/article/record_review/18374/Hardknox_Hardknox Pitchforkmedia.com Review of Hardknox Debut LP]