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Dario G

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Dario G
Paul Spencer, as Dario G, performing at The Big Weekend festival, Cambridge, 2016
Paul Spencer, as Dario G, performing at The Big Weekend festival, Cambridge, 2016
Background information
OriginCrewe, Cheshire, England
Genres
Years active1997–2024
LabelsWarner Bros, Mercury Records, Front of House
Past members
  • Paul Spencer
  • Scott Rosser
  • Stephen Spencer

Dario G were an English dance music trio formed in Cheshire, England, and consisted of three DJs and producers – Scott Rosser, Paul Spencer, and Stephen Spencer (no relation). The trio rose to prominence in the late 1990s following the release of their debut single "Sunchyme", which reached number two in the United Kingdom, Scotland, Denmark and Switzerland. It reached number one on the US Billboard Bubbling Under Hot 100 Charts,[1] as well as reaching number one in Hungary and the US Dance Club Songs Charts.[2][3]

The trio released their debut album Sunmachine in 1998, and released a further two singles from the album – "Carnaval de Paris" and "Sunmachine". Following the release of the album, members Scott Rosser and Stephen Spencer left to pursue other projects, leaving Paul Spencer to carry the Dario G name as a solo act.[4] In 2000, Dario G recorded the song "Voices" which featured on the soundtrack to the 2000 movie The Beach.[5]

In 2001, "Dream to Me" was released as the lead single from their second studio album In Full Colour. "Dream to Me" reached number one in Romania, [6] and reached number four in Scotland,[7] and nine in the United Kingdom and Germany. [8][9] Following a period of moderate success in various charts, Paul Spencer died in June 2024 following a diagnosis with stage four rectal cancer in 2023.[10]

History

[edit]

Breakthrough (1997–2001)

[edit]

The group changed their name from Dario to Dario G after being threatened with legal action from an artist of the same name. Dario G was named after the then manager of Crewe Alexandra F.C., Dario Gradi, and the similarity to Gradi was not a complete coincidence.[11] Paul Spencer also said they added the G in tribute to the American smooth jazz saxophonist Kenny G.[12] Rosser and Stephen Spencer later left to pursue other projects, leaving Paul Spencer to perform in a solo capacity under the Dario G name. In 1997, they reached number 2 on the UK Singles Chart with "Sunchyme", a song built around a sample of "Life in a Northern Town", a number 15 hit for the Dream Academy in 1985. "Sunchyme" also hit number 1 on the U.S. Hot Dance Club Party chart. The single sold over 600,000 copies in the United Kingdom alone,[10] earning it a Platinum certification from the BPI, [13] and was only kept from the top spot in the United Kingdom by Elton John's "Candle in the Wind", his 1997 tribute to Princess Diana.[10] Internationally, "Sunchyme" sold over 1.5 million copies and was described as a "surprise" after the trio had initially hoped for "modest UK and Mediterranean success".[14] It was also nominated for the Brit Award for British Video of the Year at the 18th Brit Awards ceremony, eventually losing to "Never Ever" by All Saints.[15]

After signing with Warner Bros Records, the trio were under pressure from the record label in order to record and release a debut album. Initially, the working title for their debut album was Super Dario Land. Band member Scott said that ""they got together a plan for one, to be called Super Dario Land, and for three or four weeks, we thought we'd go for it as well – we actually started work on it on the day after the commercial release of 'Sunchyme' went into the charts, in mid‑September."[14] In 1998, they released their debut album, Sunmachine, with their second single peaking at number five in the United Kingdom, the football inspired "Carnaval de Paris" which was released to coincide with the 1998 FIFA World Cup in France. The song has since become frequently used during football events worldwide and at international football tournaments.[12] The trio were keen to record an album which was different from "Sunchyme". Their record label at that time, Warner Bros, were said to have also expected their debut album to be based around the sound which lead to their breakthrough with the single. However, Paul Spencer recalled that "record companies like to cash in on a big hit. They think 'OK, these guys can probably get another sample together quickly and churn out another record that sounds like the first one'". He also recalled that "Warners did that with us too, at first, but we didn't want to do lots of little soundalike follow‑ups, we have got more depth than that".[14]

Following the release of Sunmachine, Scott Roser and Stephen Spencer left in order to pursue other projects, leaving Paul Spencer to continue as a solo artist under the Dario G name.[10] In March 2000, their third single, "Voices", featuring vocals from Vanessa Quiñones and produced by Peter Oxendale, was used for the film The Beach.

In Full Colour (2001–2006)

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In January 2001, Dario G released "Dream to Me", with vocals by Ingfrid Straumstøyl, which is based on the song "Dreams" by the Cranberries. "Dream to Me" reached number 9 on the UK Singles Chart and number 9 in Germany. The release of "Dream to Me" is said to have "solidified his reputation as a master of euphoric dance music".[16] November 2001 saw their next release, "Say What's on Your Mind". The song had club mixes from Almighty Records and Stonebridge. In early 2003, Dario G released "Heaven Is Closer (Feels Like Heaven)", with vocals also by Ingfrid Straumstøyl, which is a remake of the 1980s hit "(Feels Like) Heaven" by Fiction Factory. It reached number 39 on the UK Singles Chart. Dario G released their second album, In Full Colour, in 2001. A song from the album with vocals by Ingfrid Straumstøyl is "Strobe".

A new version of "Carnaval de Paris" was released in 2002, for the World Cup in South Korea and Japan.[17] A new single, "Ring of Fire", was promoted throughout Europe in 2006. It borrowed the main trumpet melody from the Johnny Cash recording of the same name. The single itself was released in September 2006.

Further projects (2006–2023)

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In 2010, Dario G recorded a new song, "Game On", along with rapper Pitbull, for the Official FIFA 2010 World Cup soundtrack.[17] On 23 February 2014, Dario G's single "We Got Music" was released.[10] The song featured Shirley Bassey and got its first play on BBC Radio 2 on The Paul O'Grady Show.

Spencer's health and death (2023–2024)

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In June 2023, Paul Spencer announced that he had been diagnosed with stage IV rectal cancer.[18] He died on 17 June 2024, at the age of 53.[19][20]

Discography

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Studio albums

[edit]
List of studio albums, with selected details and chart positions
Title Details Peak chart positions
UK
[21] 		GER
[22] 		SWI
[23] 		AUT
[24] 		UK Dance
[25] 		SCO
[26]
Sunmachine
  • Released: 8 June 1998
  • Label: Warner
  • Format: CD, LP, cassette tape
26
59
43
—
—
25
In Full Colour
—
58
66
41
—
—
Hola
  • Released: 26 June 2020
  • Label: Front of House
  • Format: CD, LP, digital download
—
—
—
—
17
—
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or was not released in that country or territory.

Singles

[edit]
List of singles, with selected chart positions and certifications
Title Year Peak chart positions Certifications
(sales thresholds) 		Album
AUS
[27] 		AUT
[28] 		BEL
(Fl) 		FRA
[29] 		GER
[30] 		IRE
[31] 		NLD
[32] 		SWE
[33] 		SWI
[34] 		UK
[21]
"Sunchyme" 1997 22 4 5 28 3 3 17 41 2 2 Sunmachine
"Carnaval de Paris" 1998 90 24 10 26 2 4 7 36 7 5
"Sunmachine" — — — — 98 — — — — 17
"Voices" 2000 — — — — — — — — — 37 The Beach (soundtrack)
"Dream to Me" 2001 96 8 38 — 9 16 50 — 15 9 In Full Colour
"Say What's on Your Mind" — — — — 68 — — — 100 —
"Carnaval 2002" 2002 — — — — — 36 — — 96 34 Non-album singles
"Heaven Is Closer (Feels Like Heaven)" 2003 — 42 — — 57 46 — — 87 39
"Ring of Fire" 2006 — — — — — — 100 — — —
"Game On"
(with TKZee and Pitbull) 		2010 — — — — — — — — — — 2010 FIFA World Cup Album
"We Got Music"
(with Shirley Bassey) 		2014 — — — — — — — — — — Non-album single
"Cry" 2018 — — — — — — — — — — Hola
"Hola" 2019 — — — — — — — — — —
"Real Love x Sunchyme"
(with Clean Bandit and Jess Glynne) 		2020 — — — — — — — — — — Non-album singles
"Keep On Lovin"
(with Sonique)[39] 		2021 — — — — — — — — — —
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that country.

Awards and nominations

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Year Category Recipient/Work Result Winner
1998 Video of the Year[15] "Sunchyme" Nominated "Never Ever" by All Saints

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Dario G | Biography, Music & News". Billboard. Retrieved 19 June 2024.
  2. ^ "Dario G | Biography, Music & News". Billboard. Retrieved 19 June 2024.
  3. ^ "Music & Media - January 17, 1998" (PDF). Music & Media. Retrieved 19 June 2024.
  4. ^ "'90s Music Star Dies of Rectal Cancer: Dario G Was 53". Music. Retrieved 19 June 2024.
  5. ^ Vuoncino, Chris (18 June 2024). "Remembering the 10 most iconic tracks from Dario G". We Rave You. Retrieved 19 June 2024.
  6. ^ "2001". 9 December 2002. Archived from the original on 9 December 2002. Retrieved 19 June 2024.
  7. ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart on 28/1/2001". Official Charts. Retrieved 19 June 2024.
  8. ^ "Offizielle Deutsche Charts - Offizielle Deutsche Charts". www.offiziellecharts.de. Retrieved 19 June 2024.
  9. ^ "Official Singles Chart on 28/1/2001". Official Charts. Retrieved 19 June 2024.
  10. ^ a b c d e "Dario G, who made 90s dance anthem Sunchyme, dies aged 53". BBC News. 17 June 2024. Retrieved 19 June 2024.
  11. ^ Badshah, Nadeem (17 June 2024). "Dance music producer Dario G known for No 2 hit Sunchyme dies at 53". The Guardian. Retrieved 18 June 2024.
  12. ^ a b "Dario G's Paul Spencer, electronic musician behind 'Sunchyme' and 'Carnaval de Paris', dies". DJ Mag. 17 June 2024. Retrieved 19 June 2024.
  13. ^ "Tears For Fears, Elememtal, Album". BPI. Retrieved 19 June 2024.
  14. ^ a b c "DARIO G: Recording SunMachine". www.soundonsound.com. Retrieved 19 June 2024.
  15. ^ a b "BBC News | UK | Nominations for 1998 Brit Awards". news.bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 21 June 2024.
  16. ^ "Dario G passed away". Maxazine.com. Retrieved 19 June 2024.
  17. ^ a b "Dario G, 'Sunchyme' and 'Carnaval de Paris' hitmaker, has died aged 53". mixmag.net. Retrieved 19 June 2024.
  18. ^ Ingate, Kathryn (22 June 2023). "90s pop icon Dario G diagnosed with stage four cancer". Express.co.uk. Retrieved 22 June 2023.
  19. ^ Parker, Ryan (17 June 2024). "Famous Crewe musician, Paul Spencer, dies of cancer aged 53". Crewe Nub News. Retrieved 17 June 2024.
  20. ^ "Dario G, who made 90s dance anthem Sunchyme, dies aged 53". BBC News. 17 June 2024.
  21. ^ a b "Dario G | full Official Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 4 November 2022.
  22. ^ "Discographie von Dario G". Offiziellecharts.de (in German). Retrieved 4 November 2022.
  23. ^ "Dario G – Sunmachine". Hitparade.ch (in German). Retrieved 4 November 2022.
  24. ^ "Discographie Dario G". Austriancharts.at (in German). Retrieved 4 November 2022.
  25. ^ "Official Dance Albums Chart | Official Charts". www.officialcharts.com. Retrieved 21 June 2024.
  26. ^ "Official Scottish Albums Chart on 19/7/1998". Official Charts. Retrieved 21 June 2024.
  27. ^ Peaks in Australia:
    • "Sunchyme": "australian-charts.com – Dario G". Hung Medien. Retrieved 16 April 2017.
    • "Carnaval de Paris" and "Dream to Me": Ryan, Gavin (2011). Australia's Music Charts 1988–2010. Mt. Martha, VIC, Australia: Moonlight Publishing. p. 110.
  28. ^ "Das österreichische Hitparaden- und Musik-Portal". Austriancharts.at. Retrieved 22 June 2023.
  29. ^ "Les charts français". Lescharts.com. Retrieved 22 June 2023.
  30. ^ "Die ganze Musik im Internet: Charts, Neuerscheinungen, Tickets, Genres". Musicline.de. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 15 February 2012.
  31. ^ Peak positions in Ireland:
  32. ^ "Dario G0". Top40.nl.
  33. ^ "Swedish Charts Portal". Swedishcharts.com. Retrieved 22 June 2023.
  34. ^ "Die Offizielle Schweizer Hitparade". Hitparade.ch. Retrieved 22 June 2023.
  35. ^ Ryan, Gavin (2011). Australia's Music Charts 1988–2010 (PDF ed.). Mt Martha, Victoria, Australia: Moonlight Publishing. p. 110.
  36. ^ "British single certifications – Dario G – Sunchyme". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 4 November 2022.
  37. ^ a b "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Dario G)" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved 9 June 2011.
  38. ^ "British single certifications – Dario G – Carnaval de Paris". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 4 November 2022.
  39. ^ "Keep On Lovin - single on Apple Music". 25 June 2021. Retrieved 27 June 2021.
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