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Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular MusicA B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y ZGRANT, David(b 8 Aug. '56, Hackney, London) UK soul/pop singer. Rose to fame in duo Linx with bassist Sketch (Peter Martin, b 29 June '54, London); released single "You're Lying' on own label '80; picked up by Chrysalis in a replay of the Specials signing, leading to press speculation about Linx as leaders of home-grown soul movement: blacks paralleling ska revival of 2-tone? The answer was no, though duo aided by keyboardist/ prod. Bob Carter created soul-flavoured hits with refreshing lightness of touch, Grant's Michael Jackson-like vocals set in an inventive background on "Intuition', "Throw Away The Key', "So This Is Romance'. Linx split amicably '82 (hits LP Last Linx '83; Sketch resurfaced with white funksters 23 Skidoo). Grant revamped the image, changing contact lenses for spectacles, donning headband and sweat-suit trousers), turned to faceless funk ideal for aerobics classes: David Grant '84 prod. by Steve Levine played on Jackson sound and lookalike qualities, giving him little chance to shine in his own right: "Stop And Go', "Watching You Watching Me', "Love Will Find A way' all top 25 '83. Duet hit with Jaki Graham "Could It Be I'm Falling In Love' '85 rejuvenated career, the cover of Spinners '73 hit encouraging him to drop the disco blinkers: album Hopes And Dreams '85 was creditably varied (prod. by Derek Bramble, ex-Heatwave), incl. hit plus contributions from reggae band ASWAD (on Grant-written title track), Sketch (on "Cool September'), members of Go West. Shimmering version of Todd Rundgren's "Mated' was another duet hit with Graham '85. |