Gina Go-Go - Sweet Surrender (1989)

Here we have another album from 1989 that also incorporates the dance-funk-pop sound of the time. And here we also have another unknown singer with a pleasant but unspectacular voice, but with a moniker that is at least more memorable. Also, thanks to contributions by hot (at the time) producers and remixers, this album also includes quite tasty freestyle, house and R&B elements. These producers/remixers include Shep Pettibone, Mantronik, Justin Strauss and Gerry E. Brown. However, the main producer is Nick Mundy, also producer of Color Me Badd, Sheena Easton and Jeremy Jordan (!), and the tracks he produces solo aren't quite as memorable. But "I Can't Face The Fact" (which made it to #78 on the Billboard Hot 100) and "Kisses In The Wind" are must haves! "The Only One (Gotta Be)" was the only other single. I can find almost no info about the woman except that her real name is Gina Gomez, that she has written songs for and co-produced a few other artists, including the saucy "Downtown" by SWV and "What Comes Naturally" by Sheena Easton, and that she was a member of brief R&B girl group Ebony Vibe Everlasting after her solo attempt.  They had a minor hit with "Groove Of Love" which hit the Billboard R&B (#75) and Dance (#14) charts and the UK Top 30. Another of their songs, "Good Life", also reached the UK Top 40. Come-come back, Miss Go-Go. We barely knew ye!

UPDATE:  Well, how exciting is it that Miss Gina Go-Go herself finally found this post and has written me, giving us details on her career?!  We have had a wonderful e-mail exchange, and she has allowed me to share with you her correspondence.  Enjoy, and thanks a ton, Gina!

"I can tell you now that I am from the U.K. and my singing over there was comparable to the average artist at that time. Then I came to the US and it was a whole different story. Like "be careful what you wish for!" I had to compete with much better singers and my dancing was okay, but not great. Therefore, I decided to focus on my writing which was in much better condition. I wrote all but one song on my Gina Go Go album. Then, I was given a record deal at MCA in 1992 (because of my writing) and they told me to put a group together. Hence, Ebony Vibe Everlasting which I wrote most of the songs on. They said I had to be in the group which I did not want, but had to, to get the record deal.  I actually received 5 platinum albums before 1995. 

In 2000, I got pregnant and had a severely premature baby: 1lb 8 oz at 23 weeks, the youngest you can be born to live and in fact zero babies have survived this young birth without having a disability. I had to focus 24 hours on his recovery. Now at almost 15, he is one the top ten basketball players in the US for his age group....He is 6ft 9 inches, the tallest 14 year old in basketball today....AMAZING! So it all turned out good in the end.

My work with kids now still involves writing songs and I'm making an App that is coming out soon. I am looking to sell millions of course and it's for a good cause of teaching kids positivity. When I am free, I want to write for movies and serious artists who need awesome lyrics and melodies which is where my talent lies etc.

Unfortunately, there were no videos made as Gina Go Go. Now that I look back, my vocals weren't the strongest part of me and so it fulfilled a childhood dream that I had. I still sang with passion though LOL! I do everything with passion which is my secret weapon and gets me what I want in life.

I started the phrase for "Downtown" back in the day. Now everyone uses it for that purpose lol!

Ebony Vibe Everlasting went to number one in the UK and we could have done really well, but unfortunate circumstances couldn't keep us together. Basically, I wanted to stay in the background and focus on writing. The record company insisted that I had to be in the group. There were a few irreconcilable differences with the members. We replaced a girl, but it wasn't the same after that....mostly because my heart wasn't into it. Remember, I told you, I do things with passion and if I don't feel it, I can't fake it.

I got flown out to Virginia to write with Teddy Riley and I wrote with Dr. Dre too. So I had a great time. I don't have any regrets. I feel like what I am about to come out with is the icing on the cake: the best of my work and for my career and I am looking forward to it immensely!!"

Download Sweet Surrender

1		I Can't Face The Fact
2		The Only One (Gotta Be)
3		Next to You
4		Sweet Surrender
5		Consequences Of Love
6		Kisses In The Wind
7		Party Eyes
8		True To You
9		What's A Girl Supposed To Do
10		Take A Chance