Great Moments In Pop – The 90s Part 73.

This is someone who had two waves of fame at both ends of the 90s, in rather different genres. Saffron (or Samantha which is her real name) is a singer who started out with the dance act N-Joi. In October 1990 “Anthem” was released, which reached no. 45. I’m not sure if she is actually the vocalist on this, but she appeared in the video, and often performed this with them on stage at various clubs.

After their next single made the Top 40, it was decided in April 1991 to give “Anthem” (which really is a dance anthem) another go, which this time reached no. 8. This led to Saffron making a memorable high-kicking performance on Top Of The Pops. N-Joi went on to release a few more singles, although none of them made the Top Ten, and by 1992, Saffron had gone off to launch a solo career.

She released some singles which were also in a dance style, including “One Love” in May 1992. Her only solo hit was in January 1993 when “Circles” reached no. 60. This was a cover of an Atlantic Starr song from 1982. I must admit I wasn’t familiar with this from the time, and when I found an old tape featuring some late-night dance show on ITV, the video was shown, I was rather surprised to realise she was once a dance diva.

This is because she was about to do a big genre swerve. By 1994 she had formed the indie group Republica, and had bright red hair. Looking back, it’s odd to realise they only had three hit singles. In April 1996 “Ready To Go” reached no. 43. But it was determined that this was the perfect soundtrack to various sporting events in America, and she kept the band’s profile up by attending every awards ceremony around.

So in March 1997 “Ready To Go” was given another, er, go, and this time reached no. 13. This was also their biggest hit in America. In May 1997 “Drop Dead Gorgeous” reached no. 7. This was their only Top Ten hit in the UK, but she had returned to the higher end of the chart for the first time in six years. Another way to try and keep people interested was by often appearing on the cover of Melody Maker.

Also around this time, their debut album made the Top Ten. In October 1998, “From Rush Hour With Love” reached no. 20, and that was it. Republica eventually split about a year or two later, but as people remembered them, often saying “what was that song about that thing with that woman”, they eventually got back together, Saffron is still out there, and is always “Ready To Go” on tour again I’m sure.