Groove Armada is an electronic music group from Cambridge, United
Kingdom, composed of two members, Andy Cato (real name Andrew Cocup)
and Tom Findlay. They first came to fame with a 1997 limited single
release, At The River (made famous after being used in various Marks
& Spencer advertisements), which sampled "Old Cape Cod" by Patti
Page. The song has since made its way onto numerous chill-out
compilations.
Their most famous work is the 2000 international
hit I See You Baby, remixed by Fatboy Slim in the big beat style --
with the repeated chorus line "Shakin' that ass," as heard in Renault
Mégane advertisements. Vocals were provided by Ibiza-based DJ Gram'Ma
Funk. Incidentally, this track was also recorded with the chorus line
"Shakin' that thang" as a radio edit. While this is their most famous
work, they have also produced less mainstream songs which are often
featured in television adverts.
In the early part-of 2008
after parting company with Sony BMG, Groove Armada signed and "...all
encompassing deal" with the Bacardi rum brand that allows them to use
GA's tracks for adverts.
For more information, read Bands turn to brands in new deals
* Groove Armada's Suntoucher was sampled by Jay-Z for the song "What More Can I Say" on his Black Album.
* The track Hands of Time is featured in the movie Collateral, and is referred to by one of the characters as a "classic song."
* Groove Armada's debut album was Northern Star, released in 1998.
* In 1999, Groove Armada released Vertigo, which had a more polished,
mainstream sound. This album includes "At The River," which was
re-released as a single (#23 UK).
* In 2001, Goodbye Country,
Hello Nightclub was released, with the title suggesting their new album
was more upbeat and less geared toward chilling out -- as demonstrated
by the single "Superstylin'" (#5 UK).
* In 2002, they released
the DJ mix album Another Late Night: Groove Armada, part of the Another
Late Night series on Azuli Records.
* In 2002, less than a
year after Goodbye Country, Hello Nightclub, Groove Armada produced
Lovebox, which incorporated a variety of genres. Some tracks, such as
"Madder," featured a rock element, while others, such as "Lovebox" and
"Remember," were closer to traditional house. "Remember" has vocals
made up entirely of samples of Sandy Denny singing at Fairport.
* In 2004, Groove Armada released a best-of album, which included hits and new productions (#6 UK).
* In May 2007 Soundboy Rock was released, featuring the track Get Down.
Guest appearances include M.A.D., Red Rat and Mutya Buena (see:
Sugababes). The album was released on CD, Vinyl, and also as a limited
CD package with 2 bonus tracks.