Opus III was an English dance/techno music group that consisted of singer Kirsty Hawkshaw (born on October 29, 1969 in London, United Kingdom) and musicians/producers Kevin Dodds, Ian Munro and Nigel Walton. Kirsty is the daughter of British music composer/producer Alan Hawkshaw.
The group promoted a strong environmental & feminist message through their lyrics, liner notes and photo & video imagery. The group was formed in 1991 when Kirsty was noticed by Ian, Kevin and Nigel during a rave event who were known at the time as A.S.K. (which was an offshoot of the Spiral Tribe).
In 1992, the group released their debut album "Mind Fruit" which didn't appear to make the Billboard 200 or U.K. Albums chart.
The first single "It's a Fine Day" topped Billboard's Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart for a week in August of 1992, #12 on Billboard's Hot Dance Music/Maxi-Singles Sales chart, #30 on Billboard's Modern Rock Tracks chart and #5 on the U.K. Singles chart. The song was also moderately successful in Austria, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy and Spain.
The song was originally recorded in 1983 by Jane, but Opus III's version used only of the first verse & chorus of the song. The song is considered a housem music classic and is the basis for electronic/dance music band Orbital's 1992 song "Halycon."
The follow-up single "I Talk to the Wind" peaked at #52 on the U.K. Singles chart, but failed to chart anywhere else.
In 1994, Opus III released their sophomore album "Guru Mother" which also didn't appear to make the Billboard 200 or U.K. Albums chart. The album contains positive lyrics and integrates strands of Eastern spirituality with ecology.
The group scored another number-one dance hit with the single "When You Made the Mountain" for a week in July of 1994. The song also peaked at #71 on the U.K. Singles chart.
The follow-up single from the album "Hand In Hand (Looking For Sweet Inspiration)" peaked at #14 on Billboard's Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart, but missed the charts in the United Kingdom. After the release of their follow-up album, Opus III disbanded. One of the reasons was because Kirsty was worried about the project becoming too commercial.
Kirsty went on to pursue a solo career and today, she is still considered a major presence in dance music. She has lent her vocals to various electronic & dance music tracks & artists such as Delerium, Silent Poets, DJ Tiesto and with Orbital.
To see Kirsty's official website, go to:
http://www.kirstyhawkshaw.co.uk/shopTo see the music video for "It's a Fine Day," go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TjIPzyVlK60To see the music video for "When You Made the Mountain," go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x7zjMDKqFYwTo see the music video for "I Talk to the Wind," go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y6JANtiUDSkTo see the music video for "Hand in Hand (Looking for Sweet Inspiration)," go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nYEi_JO0XgM
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