Monique Bingham
Monique’s career began during an impromptu session at Francois Kevorkian’s infamous Axis Studios. “Gordon Clay (a.k.a. Nappy G) of Groove Collective was like, hey I know this saxaphone player, Dana Vicek. He has a band Abstract Truth. They need a vocalist to write and perform a record in like a week!” The session lasted less than an hour. The tune was “Like Water.” Dana, founder and bandleader immediately asked her to join the band as lead vocalist and writer. She was indelibly influenced by the collective of musicians whose resumes included stints with the likes of the Sun RA, Chaka Khan and Lester Bowie. The first single from their debut EP was “Get Another Plan” released on Francois K’s Wave music label. The record garnished immense critical acclaim and was licensed by Mr. Gilles Peterson for his UK imprint, Talkin Loud, in 1996. In 1998 Abstract Truth released a follow up single, “We Had a Thing” also penned and performed by Monique Bingham.
A soulful house remix of the tune by Mathias Helbronn and it’s inclusion on numerous compilations, including Body and Soul, has made the tune a bonafide dance floor classic and solidified Monique’s place in underground music history. She went on to write and perform “Pure” with Naked Music’s Blue Six in 2000. This was the first of her solo recordings and was an international success in serious set rotation by the likes of Louie Vega. The UK releases “Don’t You Love Me” on Sir Piers’ Curious label in 2002 and “Go-Getter” with Matty Heilbronn championed by Papa Records in April 2004, let anyone who did not already know that this chick seriously knew what she was doing when it came to writing a song. Both hit No. 2 and No. 6 on DJ Mag’s Hype Chart.
In early 2003 she got a call from the legendary Timmy Regisford’s ClubShelter for a live PA. “They asked me how much I would charge them for the gig and I was like keep your money. I just want to have dinner with Timmy.” The Maestro has since been instrumental in making sure that Monique’s vocal and songwriting talent do not stay underground for much longer. Timmy is personally seeking publishing deals for Monique and banging her records every Saturday night in the NYC at his after-hours institution, “I think what gets my records recognized in the club scene is the fact that they are real songs! They’re not these forgettable insipid house tracks. They hold up anywhere. Not just on the dancefloor.” Her most recent releases include “Flight” on the Japanese act Studio Apartment’s 2004 album, World Line. A remix by Frankie Feliciano was released November 2004 by Hisa Ishioka’s Kingstreet label. Japanese nu-jazz wonder producer, Okada Taxi aka Kanoe has included Monique’s “Come and Live with Me” on his 2004 album “Wise Retrogression.” Her recent collaboration with House Music Award nominee, Quentin Harris, is certain to be a club anthem. “Your Can’t Have New York” will be released by Freddy Sanson’s Shelter Records in early 2005. “I write songs because I want to turn myself on the same way Sly and the Family Stone turned me on the first time I heard it. I’m not interested in making music people can ignore. What is the point of that?”
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