Frazier Chorus

by Jason Ankeny British pop group Frazier Chorus was formed in Brighton, England by singer/keyboardist Tim Freeman, percussionist Michelle Allardyce, flutist Kate Holmes and clarinetist/programmer Chris Taplin. Originally dubbed Fishing for Clouds, and later Plop!, the quartet took the Frazier Chorus name from an American beseball jacket belonging to Allardyce; their dreamy, pastoral sound lent itself perfectly to the 4AD label, and in 1987 they issued their debut single, "Sloppy Heart." For 1988's "Dream Kitchen," however, the band jumped from 4AD to Virgin, where a year later they released their first full-length effort, Sue; upon completion of the album Allardyce was dismissed from the lineup, with the remaining trio issuing "Cloud 8" in 1990. After releasing Ray a year later, Frazier Chorus disbanded; although Freeman reformed the group for 1995's Wide Awake, he was the original roster's sole remaining member, adding his brother Jamie on guitar, keyboardist Max More, former Bonzo Dog Band accordionist General de Gaulle, horn player Johnny Knowles and longtime Cocteau Twins drummer Benny DiMassa.