Album Notes

Celi Bee is another of the disco-era's underrated icons. Though both parents from Puerto Rico, Celi was born in NYC, and at a very early age moved to Puerto Rico. There she met Pepe Luis Soto who would become her husband, mentor and catalyst to stardom.

Having had several latin album releases and decent success during the 60’s and 70’s, Celi released her first single, Half A Love. A huge hit in Puerto Rico and it had marginal success in England and Ireland. Earlier English language recordings released on the Borinquen label, failed to attract attention. However with "Half A Love" the transformation from latin popstress to disco diva began.

By 1977 producer Pepe Luis Soto had already scored success with the emerging disco club scene under the name Rice & Beans Orchestra. It was then that he and then wife Celi, released the 6 track self titled album Celi Bee & The Buzzy Bunch. As a matter of fact, The Buzzy Bunch was actually nothing more than Pepe and the studio musicians on the first album. With international success of both "Superman" (later on recorded by Herbie Mann) and "One Love", the buzz was about to spread like wildfire.

1978 the Alternating Currents album is released. First 12" single "Macho (A Real, Real One)" was once more an international hit for Celi Bee. "Hold Your Horses, Babe" and the title track were also played in heavy rotation. Celi Bee launched on an international tour, playing in clubs and television shows. As before, Soto produced and wrote the entire album giving it a definite feel similar to the Rice And Beans Orchestra recordings. Unlike her debut album release, this album gave the world their first glimpse of Celi. Many were shocked at her controversial and androgynous image. Consider her the original Annie Lenox.

1978 was indeed a banner year for the Bee. Late in that year she released "Fly Me On The Wings Of Love". This time, Celi started to develop herself as a writer as well and recorded two of her own compositions. Both "Boomerang" and "Can't Let You Go" proved that she had learned her craft, not only as a singer but as a songwriter as well. "Fly Me On The Wings Of Love" was not only the album title but it's first single. It gave Celi her highest charting record on Billboard to date. The single was edited down from the nearly 13 minute complete album side into a tasty mid-tempo club hit. "For The Love Of My Man" her first ballad release, was a big success on radio stations.

1979 gave Celi her last full length album. "Blow My Mind" was another huge success. With Donna Summer changing the disco wave with "Hot Stuff" and "Bad Girls", Celi and Soto took a departure from disco, and added electric guitars to the groove. The second, and final single was "Love Drops", a solid track that failed to garner any momentum. Other gems from the Blow My Mind album are "Dancin' Nuts", "Give It To Me" and the beautiful ballad "It’s Love".

CD's also available from Celi Bee:

Celi Bee & The Buzzy Bunch
Alternating Currents
Fly Me On The Wings Of Love