Opus III (band)

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Opus III
Origin London, England
Genres Techno, progressive house, chill
Years active 1992-1994
Labels PWL International
Past members Kirsty Hawkshaw
Kevin Dodds
Ian Munro
Nigel Walton

Opus III was an English techno and house music group who had success on the UK Singles Chart and on the U.S. Dance charts. The group consisted of vocalist Kirsty Hawkshaw and producers/musicians Kevin Dodds, Ian Munro and Nigel Walton. The group members promoted a strong environmental and feminist message through their lyrics, album liner notes and photo and video imagery.

Biography

Their debut album, Mind Fruit, produced the track "It's a Fine Day", a cover of a 1983 single by Jane,[1][2] which topped the U.S. Hot Dance Club Play chart in 1992 and reached number five on the UK Singles Chart.[3]

The song, now considered a house music classic, is the basis of Orbital's 1992 track "Halcyon" and its album version "Halcyon + On + On" included in their second eponymous album; the "la la la" section of the "It's A Fine Day" chorus was backmasked and sampled throughout the song. Hawkshaw appeared in the video for "Halcyon" playing a housewife who was 'under the influence'.

The other single release from Mind Fruit, was "I Talk To The Wind" a cover of the 1969 song by King Crimson. This was not a big chart success in the UK, only reaching number 52.[3]

Opus III's second album Guru Mother surfaced in 1994 and produced another U.S. number-one dance song "When You Made The Mountain".[4] A third dance chart entry, "Hand in Hand (Looking for Sweet Inspiration)" hit number 14.

The group disbanded after their second album. Hawkshaw was worried the project was becoming too commercial, which is one of the reasons for the band's separation.[5] Hawkshaw went on to pursue a solo career, lending her vocals to a number of electronic and dance music artists and tracks into the opening years of the 21st century, including Delerium, Silent Poets, DJ Tiësto and again with Orbital.[6]

Discography

Studio albums

Singles

Year Single Peak chart positions Album
AUS
[7]
AUT FRA GER IRE ITA SWE SUI UK
[3][8]
U.S.
Dance

[4]
1992 "It's a Fine Day" 54 14 14 18 6 9 22 24 5 1 Mind Fruit
"I Talk to the Wind" 162 52
1994 "When You Made the Mountain" 172 71 1 Guru Mother
"Hand in Hand (Looking for Sweet Inspiration)" 239 79 14
"—" denotes releases that did not chart

See also

References

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  7. Australian (ARIA Chart) peaks:
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External links

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