Soul Tracks - Tracking the World's Greatest Soul Music

Rene and Angela

Rene and Angela

Biography

Known by many for their accomplishments as songwriters and producers, Rene and Angela were nonetheless also an very popular singing duo, and recorded a number of now classic songs during their relatively short period together.

St. Louis-born Angela Winbush worked as a backup musician in the 70s, most notably as part Stevie Wonder's Wonderlove, when she met singer/songwriter Rene Moore.  The two began writing together and soon became an "A-list" songwriting team, providing melodic, lyrically interesting compositions such as the oft-covered "I've Learned to Respect the Power of Love" and the wonderful Tavares cut "Love Uprising." 

The two were signed as a singing act by Capitol Records and recorded three moderately successful albums for the label.  They had a minor hit with the single "I Love You More" but began amassing more of a following in 1983 with "My First Love" (later remade by Avant and Glenn Jones).  The duo's move to Mercury Records in 1985 turned out to be career-changing. Their label debut, Streetcar Named Desire, yielded three chart-topping hits with "Save Your Love (for #1)" and the muscular ballads "Smile" and "You Don't Have to Cry."  Then, surprisingly, at the height of their popularity, the duo had a very public falling out and split to pursue solo careers.   

Moore released Destination Love in 1988, but it went nowhere.  He continued to work with other artists as a producer or musician, most notably on Michael Jackson's Dangerous.  Winbush had much better fortune on her own, remaining a much sought-after writer/producer, and working most notably with Lalah Hathaway, Klymaxx and the Isley Brothers (Ronald Isley became her manager and the two were briefly married in the mid 90s).  As a solo performer she hit #1 in 1987 with "Angel" and two years later with "It's the Real Thing."  Her final solo hit was 1994's "Treat You Right."

by Chris Rizik


Available Music

ReneAndAngela-AStreetCalledDesireAndMore.jpg
A Street Called Desire and More
ReneAndAngela-ClassicMasters.jpg
Classic Masters

Click on CD cover to listen or purchase

Similar Artists

Video


Comments