In Autumn 1995 Mrs Wood enjoyed crossover success with “Joanna’”, largely considered as one of the defining tracks of the hardbag era. Featuring a tradestyle remix from Tony De Vit as well as her own more minimal version, “Joanna” became one of the first hardbag releases to reach the Top 40 of the UK Singles Chart, and was at this juncture one of the biggest selling tracks to have been output on React. Further success ensued with “Heartbreak”, which featured vocals from Cleveland City signing Eve Gallagher, another artist who became synonymous with the house music and hardbag scene of the mid 1990s. “Heartbreak” charted at #44 in the UK, and featured remixes from former Happy Clappers producer C J Scott, as well as a technoid variation from Wood herself, co-produced by long time cohort, Kevin White. The following year witnessed the release of “Feel So good”, Mrs Wood’s highest placed chart hit, a double A-side coupled with a Sash! remix of “Joanna”. Also included in the mix package were further variations from Dancing Divaz, Nush and the original 1995 remix by Tony De Vit. “Road Rage” was issued in a limited quantity in late 1996, which Wood released under the sobriquet, Madame Dubois. Shortly after the success of “Feel So Good”, Mrs Wood began producing less commercially orientated, techno and nu-nrg influenced tracks such as “1,2,3,4”, which was less well received, despite featuring a trancey remake from Vincent De Moor. Her debut album followed - Woodwork. Co-produced by Kevin White, Woodwork comprised largely of minimal, techno based compositions. Mrs Wood is perhaps best remembered for her React released mix compilation albums, Mrs Wood Teaches Techno and 1996’s Bitter & Twisted (half of which was remixed by her longtime stablemate Blu Peter). Showcasing a variety of tracks in an array of genres, Bitter & Twisted featured material from artists as disparate as LSG, 16C+ and Mark NRG. |
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