Sweet dynamite...

Nostra Dam
Dec 11, 2024
6 min read

Updated: Mar 5

Claudja Barry is a Canadian singer of Jamaican origin who saw her parents emigrate from Jamaica to Canada when she was only 6 years old.

After finishing her studies, she went to London where she was found in the musical 'AC/DC' and then in a German production called 'Catch my soul'.

It was through this production that she was noticed in Germany by the Hot Foot label, which signed her and allowed her to release in 1975 a first Single called "Reggae bump", a Single that would unfortunately go completely unnoticed...

She released a first album "Sweet dynamite" the following year in 1976, an album that would allow her to achieve her first success with the title "Why must a girl like me", a title that would be released a year later in 1977.

But it was especially the album "The girl most likely" that would offer her a first major success in 1977 with the title "Dancin' fever".

New album "I wanna be love by you" in 1978, an album that will confirm the fact that the singer is on a more than certain success dynamic with the title "(Boogie Woogie) Dancin' shoes)", a title that will be released in 1979.

A year 1979 that will also see the release of the album "Feel the fire", an album with lesser success and which will not manage to produce a hit worthy of the name...

Business will pick up again at the beginning of the 80s with the release in 1981 of the album "Made in Hong-Kong", an album carried by the big-caliber Single "Radio action".

We will have to wait 6 years and the year 1987 to see the release of the album "I, Claudja", an album from which 3 hit titles will be extracted including "Down and counting" in 1986 then "Can't you feel my heartbeat" and "Secret affair" in 1987.

The adventure will continue thereafter but without knowing the same level of success as before.

To discover or rediscover...

Discography (among others...) :

70s Decade :

How could you do it again 1975
Love for the shake of love 1976
Sweet dynamite 1977
Take it easy 1977
Johnny, Johnny please come home 1978
Take me in your arms 1978
Dancin’ fever 1978
Down by the water 1978
Boogie tonight 1978
(Boogie woogie) Dancin’ shoes 1979
You make me feel the fire 1979
Wake up and make love with me 1979
Love seemed so easy without you 1979

80s Decade :

The two of us 1980
Radio action 1981
Work me over 1982
For your love 1983
Trippin’ on the moon 1984
Born to love 1985
Down and counting 1986
Can’t you feel my heartbeat 1987
Secret affair 1987
(I don’t know if you are) Dead or alive 1988
Hot to the touch 1988

90s Decade :

Good time 1990
Love is an island 1991
Summer of love 1992
Poison ( General Base) 1992
Ain’t gonna miss you 1996
Reach out for me 1997

2000s Decade :

I will stand 2006

2010s Decade :

Good time girl 2010
Come on stand up 2015

Tracks :

1975...even if this title will go somewhat unnoticed, it at least has the merit of launching the career of the young Claudja, that's at least it...

1976...the beginning of an adventure that also rhymes with finesse and lightness, what more could you ask for. A versatility of style that is necessarily a good omen for the rest of the events...

1977...the beginning of recognition, the real one. A first success limited to the United States but there is success no matter what and that's the main thing...

1977...a sequel that won't really have the same level of success but which is no less devoid of interest, that's for sure...

1978...the rise to power is made title after title. It is obvious that she will end up producing THE title that will change everything and propel her into the limelight...

1978...it won't be right away yet, but she's working on it anyway. Efforts that will end up paying off at some point or another...

1978...we didn't have to wait long because the time has come to reap the fruits of all her efforts. Starting with this title...

1978...a slight air hole with this new title but mainly due to the fact that it will only be released in Germany and Austria. This explains that...

1978...as for this one it will not even be officially released as a Single hence the fact that it will pass somewhat under the radar. But it would have been a shame to hide it...

1979...then THIS title arrives ! The title of consecration and not the least since this title will be a real hit all over the planet. HU-GE !

1979...a sequel that won't manage to compete with the huge title that preceded it but it doesn't matter, the main thing is done now...

1979...another title not officially released but it is one of a few that it would have been a shame not to bring back to light as it should...

1979...a title full of finesse and lightness which allows her to show that she can evolve in all areas and especially all tempos...

1980...and why not try the adventure as a couple ? So here she is in charming company on a 100 % Dance track that works very well, by Jove...

1981...a start to the 80s that saw her stay at the head of the race without too much difficulty. Certainly rather at the back of the pack but all the same...

1982...its only weakness at this stage is that its style has perhaps remained too typical of the 70s. Be careful because the competition is starting to get ahead...

1983... it would already be a little better with this new title. It was just necessary to give her time to adapt to the new trends of the moment...

1984...for the moment the adventure continues quietly but surely and the titles that come out are classified which can only reassure about her current state of form...

1985...the production of titles slowed down somewhat during this decade of the 80s but the quality level remains significant regardless...

1986...a mid-decade that even saw her progress somewhat and climb back up the charts. What more could you ask for...

1987...already 10 years of presence and a career mastered from start to finish. Now all that remains is to last over time...

1987...no need to worry for the moment in any case concerning her. She knew how to evolve as she should and it's definitely paying off...

1988...once again the proof with this title. Sound and trendy style, everything is there for the adventure to last a little longer...

1988...a decade of the 80s which saw her maintain her high level without too much difficulty and this thanks to a talent which did not weaken one iota...

1990...it remains to be seen what the following decade has in store for her and it could unfortunately be much less favourable...

1991...and this despite the fact that she did everything necessary to once again stick to the latest musical trends of the moment...

1992...it's mainly the fact that it's going to be difficult for her to compete on equal terms with young singers 10 to 15 years younger than her...

1992...whatever, she's hanging on and not giving up at this stage. A determination to believe until the end that we can only salute...

1996...good work once again even if it won't pay off more than that in the Charts. The intention is there in any case...

1997...she doesn't give up in any case and hangs on as much as she can. And as in music everything is always possible, why not believe in the future...