Tafuri

Long Island native Andrea Tafuri has had music in her blood since early childhood. As a second grader, she would leave for school early each morning to sit on the swing set and sing songs like the Carpenters' "Yesterday Once More." This was much to the chagrin of her mother, who was concerned for her young daughter's safety in the dawning hours of the day. Years later in high school, the budding singer was putting her vocal talent to use in her high school's theater department. By the time she was 19, Tafuri moved to Manhattan and pursued a record deal. At an audition, she met members of R&B vocal group Vertical Hold and began learning the ropes of recording studios. By way of ex-Chic member Luci Martin, she found her way in early 1989 to Sleeping Bag Records, then one of the most successful independent labels in dance music. Signed on the strength of a self-penned ballad, she released the Vertical Hold-penned "What Am I Gonna Do About Your Love," a soulful, mid-tempo pop/dance number which became her first single. On the suggestion of Vertical Hold member Angie B, she adapted Tafuri as her stage name -- also her nickname since childhood. Sensing a downhill streak at Sleeping Bag -- which proved to happen, Tafuri managed to get out of her deal and in 1991 signed with London-based FFRR, at the time distributed by Polygram in the U.S. She found success in Europe with a fresh yet authentic cover of Phyllis Hyman's disco classic "You Know How to Love Me," which helped her land a spot as opening act for Color Me Badd at large-scale venues such as the Hammersmith Odeon. Once back in New York from overseas touring, it became difficult for the singer to further her output with FFRR, since the man who signed her -- revered club DJ Pete Tong -- was based in London and busy...