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The Documentary: Dance Divas: 1988-1998

Martha Wash

24/04/2021 GMT

Dance Divas: 1988-1998

BBC World Service - The Documentary, Dance Divas: 1988-1998

The pioneering women of NYC dance music Gladys Pizarro, Gail Sky King, Carla Bandini-Lory

Meet the pioneering women of New York City's underground dance music scene - Gladys Pizarro, Gail Sky King, Carla Bandini-Lory.

Sampling technology created new opportunities for producers but raised questions of authenticity and authorship in the industry. Some of the biggest dance music hits of the early '90s used uncredited vocals belonging to Loleatta Holloway, Jocelyn Brown and Martha Wash.

After the Paradise Garage closed, New Jersey’s Zanzibar club became the breaking ground for dance music in the New York area. Abbie Adams had a record store around the corner which became Movin’ Records, introducing the world to the ‘Jersey Sound’.

We also meet legendary talent scout Gladys Pizarro who co-founded Strictly Rhythm. Specialising in an eclectic range of house music, it became the most powerful indie dance record label in the world during the '90s.

Gail Sky King’s career went in a completely sideways direction, as an award-winning composer for Sesame Street, as did recording engineer Carla Bandini Lory.

​Producer: Victoria Ferran

(Photo: Martha Wash. Credit: Mike Ruiz)

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