Fade — Solu Music ft. KimBlee
Recorded in 2001 by New York duo Solu Music with singer KimBlee, “Fade” lived on house compilations for five years before reaching the UK top 20 in 2006.
- Made by Solu Music, the New York duo of Howie Caspe and Dano Nathanson, with singer KimBlee.
- Recorded and first released in 2001 as an underground record.
- Re-released in 2006: No. 18 in the UK, No. 17 in Finland and No. 19 in Portugal.
Some vocal house records break in a few weeks. “Fade” took five years. Solu Music recorded it in 2001, compilations kept it in circulation, and in 2006 it finally reached the UK top 20.
Solu Music in New York
Solu Music is both a production duo and a record label, established in New York in 1998 by Howie Caspe and Dano Nathanson. In 2001 the pair released “Afrika” and “Fade”, which they wrote and produced with singer KimBlee on vocals. KimBlee also features on the duo’s 2002 track “Naturally”. Over the next years came “The Way I’ll Feel (If You Touch)” (2002), “Love Come Around” (2003), “Can’t Help Myself” and “This Time” (2004), and the album Affirmation (2004).
Five years on compilations
“Fade” first circulated as an underground release on Solu Music. It found its way onto house compilations, including an Earth mix on Ministry of Sound’s Late Night Sessions and the Shapeshifters’ House Grooves mix. In February 2006 a Hed Kandi 12-inch reached No. 8 on the UK dance singles chart.
The 2006 chart run
The full single release came that summer. Credited to Solu Music ft. KimBlee, it entered the UK Official Singles Chart on 17 June 2006 and peaked at No. 18, with 11 weeks on the chart. On the UK dance singles chart it climbed to No. 2 and stayed for 37 weeks. It also reached No. 17 in Finland, No. 19 in Portugal and No. 35 in Ireland.
Remixes and reissues
The record keeps returning in new versions: a Grant Nelson rerub made in 2015, a Hannah Wants remix in 2024 and, in 2026, a 25 Years Edition followed by a series of Legacy remix collections.
For more UK-charting vocal house from the same years, read about “Lola’s Theme” by The Shapeshifters and “Need to Feel Loved” by Reflekt.
FAQ
Who made Fade?
Solu Music, the New York duo of Howie Caspe and Dano Nathanson, with vocals by KimBlee.
When was Fade released?
It was recorded and first released in 2001, then given a full single release in 2006.
How high did Fade chart in the UK?
No. 18 on the Official Singles Chart in 2006, and No. 2 on the UK dance singles chart.
