Biography
British vocalist Claudia Fontaine launched her professional journey while still in her early teens, contributing backing vocals across a range of studio sessions. She later became a member of several lovers rock trios—Mellow Rose, One Love, and True Harmony—before stepping forward as a solo performer. Working with producer Junior Boothe in 1981, she cut her own rendition of Bloodstone’s R&B standard “Natural High,” which emerged as a notable lovers rock success and secured licensing to a major label, though that release met with limited commercial results. Its follow-up, “Not a Little Girl Any More,” likewise failed to register any meaningful response. Fontaine persisted with session singing, supporting artists such as Keith Douglas, Tony Tuff, and King Sounds. In 1982 she entered La Famile, sharing lead vocals with Brown Sugar and Soul II Soul’s Caron Wheeler; the ensemble delivered the disco hit “Dancer” that same year and followed it with the well-received “All Night Long.” Teaming with Raymond Simpson in 1983 under the name Raymond & Claudia, the pair interpreted George Benson’s “Turn Your Love Around” and Jermaine Jackson’s “Paradise in Your Eyes,” the former achieving strong sales and prompting another recording, “Is It Always Gonna Be Like This.” Fontaine sustained her ties to La Famile, supplied backing vocals for live performances by Pink Floyd, Joe Cocker, and the Jam, and also worked as a journalist. She passed away in March 2018 at the age of 57.
Singles
