hazell dean

hazell dean

Genres: 80s, pop, Disco, dance, female vocalists

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About hazell dean

Hazell Dean (née Poole; born 27 October 1952) is an English dance-pop singer who achieved her greatest success in the 1980s as a hi-NRG artist. She is best known for the UK top-ten hits "Searchin' (I Gotta Find a Man)", "Whatever I Do (Wherever I Go)" and "Who's Leaving Who" and has also worked as a songwriter and producer. Dean was born in Great Baddow, Essex. She began her career in the mid-1970s, performing in clubs and developing a following on the gay dance scene. She was recognised multiple times for her live performances, including being elected "Best Live Performer" by the Federation of American Dance Clubs and "Best British Performer" by the Club Mirror Awards. Dean initially signed to Decca Records and released pop and soul singles written and produced by Paul Curtis, including her entry for the 1976 A Song for Europe contest, "I Couldn't Live Without You for a Day", which placed eighth. Her first album, The Sound of Bacharach and David, a collection of covers by Burt Bacharach and Hal David, was released promotionally in 1981 and commercially in 2014. She also released a promotional double A-side single for Medway in 1982. Dean shifted to dance music with the 1983 release of "Searchin' (I Gotta Find a Man)", which became a top-ten UK hit when re-released in 1984. That year she also released the double A-side "Evergreen" / "Jealous Love" and participated in A Song for Europe with "Stay In My Life", finishing seventh. Her follow-up singles "Whatever I Do (Wherever I Go)" and "Back In My Arms (Once Again)" were produced by Stock Aitken Waterman, with "Whatever I Do (Wherever I Go)" reaching number four in the UK. Her debut mainstream pop album, Heart First, included these singles. In 1985 Dean released "Harmony" in Germany and signed to EMI Records, releasing "They Say It's Gonna Rain", which reached number one in South Africa and number 58 in the UK. Subsequent singles were less successful until 1988, when "Who's Leaving Who" reached number four in the UK. Later singles included "Maybe (We Should Call it a Day)" and "Turn It into Love", the latter also recorded by Kylie Minogue. Dean's second album, Always, was released in 1988 and reached number 38 in the UK. In the 1990s, Dean left EMI and signed with Lisson Records, releasing "Love Pains" and "Better Off Without You", her final UK top 75 entry. She collaborated with Ian Levine and produced and wrote tracks for artists including Bad Boys Inc, Bona Riah, Miquel Brown, MEN 2 B, Upside Down, and Sandra Feva. In 1996, Dean released The Winner Takes It All, an album of ABBA covers, and in 1999 and 2001 she released further singles including a cover of "Living On A Prayer" and a remix of "Who's Leaving Who". Dean continued recording and performing in the 2000s and 2010s. She appeared on the album Disco 2008 with "Trade Him for a Newer Model" and had unreleased tracks issued on iTunes in 2009. Cherry Red Records reissued Heart First in 2010. Dean signed to Energise Records in 2010 and released updated versions of "They Say It's Gonna Rain" and singles from her 2013 album In the Name of..., followed by the 2015 album Nightlife. In 2016 she released two EPs, "Evergreen/Judgement Day" and "Happy New Year/ The Way Old Friends Do", and continued to perform live. Cherry Red Records also released a deluxe edition of Always in 2012 and a greatest hits compilation, Evergreen: The Very Best of Hazell Dean. Dean performed at the Stock/Aitken/Waterman "Hit Factory Live" reunion concert at London's O2 Arena in December 2012. In August 2021, she announced her retirement from live performing, with her final shows taking place in September at Lets Rock Leeds and Wentworth Festival. She continues to release music through SP Music. Studio albums The Sound of Bacharach & David (1981) Heart First (1984) Always (1988) The Winner Takes It All (1996) In the Name of... (2013) Nightlife (2015) Re:Visited (2017)

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