No boundaries for revamped 2 Unlimited

JAKARTA (JP): UK dance-act 2 Unlimited have arrived in Jakarta on a promotional tour, but don't be surprised if you don't recognize them. The award winning dance outfit has two new faces, the sultry blonde Romy and Marion, a spiky haired brunette.

The revamped 2 Unlimited will perform on Thursday at the Fashion Cafe, Wisma 46 BNI, Jl. Jend. Sudirman, Central Jakarta.

The original line-up had enormous chart success with hits such as Get Ready For This, Tribal Dance, Twilight Zone and No Limits, the hits reaching the top 10 in many countries.

The band split in 1996, but producers Jean-Paul De Coster and Phil Wilde decided to continue with the chart-topping concept. They set out to find a new line-up in December 1996, and following six months of auditions in the UK and Europe, Romy and Marion were selected from over 150 girls.

Romy said the two girls were very excited when they were selected.

"We were chosen primarily for the `color' in our voices, which is critical for mixing," she said.

It is not only the duo's faces that have changed, the harder underground techno and rap sounds of the original lineup have been replaced by poppy vocal dance and R'n'B songs.

Marion, whose favorite singer is Aretha Franklin, has a blues and jazz background and began singing at the age of 10. Romy, a former TV presenter, graduated from the Amsterdam Art Academy and then pursued a career in modeling and singing.

The duo describe their music as "happy", and embracing many different styles.

"We have used a mix of styles. Our music is quite varied and there is something for everyone on the album. We want to show the world that we can really sing," Romy said.

When asked why they had altered the style of the music when it had proved so successful for the original line-up, Marion said they had moved with the times.

"Times have changed a lot, today's music is more poppy and R'n'B oriented," she said.

Their new single Wanna Get Up, due to be released in March next year, is a funky pop tune which showcases the vocal talents of the duo. Their new album 2 Unlimited II is due to be released in April. (Brigid O'Halloran)