Perfect Songs is an independent

music publishing A music publisher is a type of publisher that specializes in distributing music. Music publishers originally published sheet music. When copyright became legally protected, music publishers started to play a role in the management of the intellect ...

company with a catalogue containing songs of the past 25 years. It is part of the SPZ Group of companies, which also includes

Sarm Studios Sarm Studios is an independent recording studio in London. Originally founded in east London in 1973, the studio's original location was renamed Sarm East Studios in 1982 when Jill Sinclair and Trevor Horn purchased Basing Street Studios from Isla ...

(recording studios),

ZTT Records ZTT Records is a British record label founded in 1983 by record producer Trevor Horn, Horn's wife and businesswoman Jill Sinclair, and ''New Musical Express'' (NME) journalist Paul Morley. The label's name was also stylised as ZANG TUMB TUUM and ...

, Stiff Records (record labels) and Music Bank hire (equipment hire and rehearsal studios). Songs featured in its catalogue include "Relax" and "Two Tribes" by

Frankie Goes to Hollywood Frankie Goes to Hollywood were an English synth-pop band formed in Liverpool in 1980. The group's best-known line-up comprised Holly Johnson (vocals), Paul Rutherford (singer), Paul Rutherford (backing vocals), Peter Gill (FGTH drummer), Peter ...

– two of the best-selling pop hits of the 1980s, the Grammy Award-winning "Kiss From A Rose" by

Seal Seal may refer to any of the following: Common uses * Pinniped, a diverse group of semi-aquatic marine mammals, many of which are commonly called seals, particularly: ** Earless seal, or "true seal" ** Fur seal * Seal (emblem), a device to imp ...

, Frankie's "The Power of Love", "Dreams and Sunshine" by

Gabrielle (singer) Louise Gabrielle Bobb (born 19 July 1969), known professionally as Gabrielle, is a British singer and songwriter. Bobb was born in Hackney, London. She released her debut single, " Dreams", in 1993, and it topped the UK Singles Chart the same ...

, and "Beatbox", "Close (To The Edit)" and "Moments in Love" by the

Art of Noise Art of Noise (also The Art of Noise) were an English avant-garde synth-pop group formed in early 1983 by engineer/producer Gary Langan and programmer J. J. Jeczalik, along with keyboardist/arranger Anne Dudley, producer Trevor Horn, and mus ...

– two of the most sampled songs in history.

History

The company was formed in 1982 by record producer

Trevor Horn Trevor Charles Horn (born 15 July 1949) is an English music producer, label and recording studio owner, musician and composer. He is best known for his production work in the 1980s, and for being one half of the new wave band The Buggles (wit ...

and manager

Jill Sinclair Jill Sinclair (5 April 1952 – 22 March 2014) was an English businesswoman and former record company director, a founder of ZTT Records and one of the most influential women in pop music. She has been called "One of the most successful people in ...

and it has been based at the same office –

– ever since. Horn's credits date back to Baby Blue, a 1979 co-write for

Dusty Springfield Mary Isobel Catherine Bernadette O'Brien (16 April 1939 – 2 March 1999), known professionally as Dusty Springfield, was an English singer. With her distinctive mezzo-soprano sound, she was a popular singer of blue-eyed soul, pop and dram ...

, via hit songs of the 1980s written for Malcolm McLaren and Grace Jones to co-writes in the 2000s for Cher,

Lisa Stansfield Lisa Jane Stansfield (born 11 April 1966) is an English singer, songwriter, and actress. Her career began in 1980 when she won the singing competition ''Search for a Star''. After appearances in various television shows and releasing her first ...

and several worldwide smash hit singles for

t.A.T.u. t.A.T.u. (russian: Тату, ) were a Russian music duo that consisted of Lena Katina and Julia Volkova. The singers were part of children's music group Neposedy before being managed by producer and director Ivan Shapovalov and signing with ...

Among some of the most important musician Perfect has worked with, the company has signed

David Jordan (singer) David Jordan (born David Keith Arratoon, 13 September 1985 in Barnet, London) is an English singer-songwriter. His debut album, '' Set the Mood'', was released in October 2007, peaking at number 13 on the UK Albums Chart. Biography Born to a m ...

(whose 2007 debut album, ''Set The Mood'', has sold over 150,000 copies), singer-songwriter

Kid Harpoon Thomas Edward Percy Hull (born 20 April 1982), known professionally as Kid Harpoon, is an English singer, songwriter, musician and record producer. Career Already a fixture at local venues in his hometown of Chatham, Kid Harpoon first emerg ...

Alistair Griffin Alistair Richard Griffin (born 1 November 1977) is an English singer-songwriter and musician. Already an established songwriter, he first became famous as a solo artist through his appearances on the BBC television show ''Fame Academy 2'' in 2 ...

, and Tim Hutton (whose recent co-writes include Ian Brown and Sugardaddy, a partnership with Tom Findlay from

Groove Armada Groove Armada are an English electronic music duo, composed of Andy Cato and Tom Findlay. They achieved chart success with their singles "At the River", " I See You Baby" and " Superstylin'". The duo have released nine studio albums, four of w ...

). Two of Perfect's most enduring songwriters were both signed as almost complete unknowns, and have since collected

Grammy Award The Grammy Awards (stylized as GRAMMY), or simply known as the Grammys, are awards presented by the Recording Academy of the United States to recognize "outstanding" achievements in the music industry. They are regarded by many as the most pr ...

s and nominations.

, whose hits include "Crazy", "Kiss From A Rose", "Killer" and "Future Love Paradise"; and

Marsha Ambrosius Marsha Ambrosius-Billups (born 8 August 1977) is an English singer and songwriter from Liverpool, England. She embarked on her musical career as a member of Floetry. Ambrosius released her debut solo album '' Late Nights & Early Mornings'' in M ...

, who signed to Perfect in the very early 2000s, and has written for and in collaboration with

Michael Jackson Michael Joseph Jackson (August 29, 1958 – June 25, 2009) was an American singer, songwriter, dancer, and philanthropist. Dubbed the "King of Pop", he is regarded as one of the most significant cultural figures of the 20th century. Over a ...

and

Alicia Keys Alicia Augello Cook (born January 25, 1981), known professionally as Alicia Keys, is an American singer, songwriter, and pianist. A classically trained pianist, Keys started composing songs when she was 12 and was signed at 15 years old by Col ...

. Perfect has also worked with Gabrielle,

Mark Morrison Mark Morrison (born 3 May 1972) is a British R&B singer. His single, " Return of the Mack", became a No. 1 or top 10 hit in several European countries in 1996. The song peaked at No. 2 in the United States the following year. Career Mark M ...

, rapper MC Tunes, rave act Shades of Rhythm, and 808 State.

Catalogue

A selection of songs in the Perfect Songs repertoire: * 808 State - "Pacific State" * Alicia Keys - "Go Ahead" * Alistair Griffin - "You And Me Tonight" * Amy Winehouse - "Close To The Front" * Art of Noise - "Beat Box" * David Jordan - "Sun Goes Down" * The Frames - "Dance The Devil Back Into His Hole" * Frankie Goes To Hollywood - "Relax" * Gabrielle - "Give Me A Little More Time" * Grace Jones - "Slave To The Rhythm" * Kid Harpoon - "Her Body Sways" * Malcolm McLaren - "Buffalo Gals" * Mark Morrison - "Return of The Mack" * Mutya Buena - "Song For Mutya" * The Pogues - "Fairytale Of New York" * Seal - "Crazy" * Shane MacGowan and Moya Brennan - "You're The One" * Shane MacGowan and Sinéad O'Connor - "Haunted" * Sugababes - "Overload" * t.A.T.u. - "All The Things She Said"

References

Article from ''Billboard'' - 26 November 1988

External links

Perfect Songs

SPZ Group
{{Frankie Goes to Hollywood Music publishing companies of the United Kingdom