China is a swiss band but also the name of a french singer, or The Jing Ying Soloists from China : First the group : Founded in 1987, CHINA made a significant impact with their debut Dirk Steffans produced album and their brand of heavy AOR. Formed by drummer John Dommen and guitarist Freddy Laurence, the duo quickly teamed up with vocalist Math Shiverow, ex-BLOODY SIX guitarist Claudio Matteo and former STORMBRINGER bassist Marc Lynn. Having gained a deal with PolyGram, were assisted in the recording of their debut album by KROKUS vocalist Marc Storace; who contributed backing vocals to the debut album, whilst KROKUS guitarist Fernando Von Arb wrote the album track ‘Back To You’. With the ‘China’ album in the stores, the Swiss quintet toured as support to VICTORY through Germany during 1988 and was further due to also play support to BONFIRE until an accident to the German act’s guitarist forced the shows to be cancelled. The second album, ‘Sign In The Sky’, found CHINA switching production into the hands of Stephen Galfas (having gone on record to say how disappointed they were with the job done by Dirk Steffans on the debut). More significantly, the record heralded a new era for the band, bringing in former CROWN / KROKUS guitarist Patrick Mason and new bassist ex-KILLER man Briam Kofmehl following the departures of both Math Shiverow and Marc Lynn respectively. The record surprisingly also featured guest backing vocals courtesy of GRIM REAPER vocalist Steve Grimmett. Interestingly, Mason’s stay in CHINA was extremely short-lived and thus 1991’s ‘Live’ mini album introduced CHINA’s third vocalist, Eric St. Michaels of US oufit the MOTHERFOLKERS and CRIMINAL MINDS. The 1995 CHINA album ‘Natural Groove’ found the Swiss act fronted by yet another new singer in the form of Douglas McCowan. Original bassist Marc Lynn has, since leaving CHINA, enjoyed a fair amount of acclaim with GOTTHARD. News emerged in late 2003 that CHINA, comprising Patrick Mason, John Dommen, Claudio Matteo, Freddy Laurence and Brian Kofmehl, were to set to work on a new studio album. |Now the singer :| Daughter of Dee Bridgewater, China begins to sing at the age of 13. Her first album go out on 96, two years after her first contrat at 16. It includes ‘Time’ played on every radio and tv’s. | On 97, she is the first part on Neneh Cherry concerts. From 96 to 99, she is a radio presenter at Radio Nova. She sings in the single ‘Ménage à 4’ with the “Neg’Marrons” and realize a recover of Billie Holliday on the jazz compilation of St Germain. In 98, China she became host on MCM, for the show Blah Blah Groove until 99. In 2000, the second album, On Tourne en Rond, comes out with the hit single Être Là-Bas. In 2003 she comes back with Good Lovin’, with several songs written with Diam’s. |
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