First Choice (band)

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First Choice was an American, girl group vocal music trio, from Philadelphia. They are probably best known for their number one disco hit in the U.S. in 1973, called "Armed and Extremely Dangerous".

[edit] Band members

The group was originally made up of:

Rochelle Fleming (born 11 February 1950, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.)
Joyce Jones (born 30 July 1949)
Annette Guest (born 19 November 1954, Chester, Pennsylvania).

[edit] Career

Fleming was the main vocalist. The group was originally known as The Debronettes.

Local DJ Georgie Woods introduced the trio to Norman Harris, guitarist with MFSB, to produce their debut single, "This Is The House Where Love Died". Although it sold poorly, the record led to a recording contract with the Philly Groove record label, and the release of "Armed and Extremely Dangerous". Also produced by Harris, the song was a hit first in the UK, where it reached the Top 20 in the UK Singles Chart on Bell Records.

U.S. success followed and the later singles, "Smarty Pants" and "The Player", sold equally well. While producer Harris was associated with numerous hits during the disco boom of the late 1970s, the only later chart entry for First Choice was "Dr. Love" and in 1984 First Choice split up. The group's "Let No Man Put Asunder" was remixed that year for club play, and since become both a staple for urban DJ's and a classic for listeners.

In 1987 Fleming re-formed the group with her cousin Laconya Fleming, and Lawrence Cottel, to record "Love Itch" (Prelude Records). In the same year a reissue of their 1977 track "Let No Man Put Asunder" was a dancefloor hit in the UK.

Over the years, the group has seen some new success, as many of their songs have been remixed and re-released. Larry Levan remixed their "Double Cross" (Gold Mind, 1979) track, plus Tee Scott's first studio mix was "Love Thang" (1979). First Choice benefitted somewhat when Rhino Records put their "Armed and Extremely Dangerous" into the Soul Hits of the 70s: Didn't It Blow Your Mind series, and also when the Salsoul catalog was digitally remastered and released in the 1990s.

Fleming has also provided guest vocals for the occasional house release over the years.