Man To Man

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Man To Man (also known as Man2Man) were a Hi-NRG band from New York City that formed in the early 1980s. They were best known for their hit singles "Male Stripper", "Energy Is Eurobeat" and "I Need A Man".

[edit] History

The act was comprised of brothers Mikki and Paul Zone, who had been known on the local Brooklyn music scene since the mid 1970s with one of the early bands of Paul Zone, called "Fast", coming to national attention with a second album being produced by Ric Ocasek of The Cars.

After "Fast" the brothers spent the first half of the 1980s singing on a number of Hi-NRG and disco records for such producers as Bobby Orlando (records like Divine's "Native Love" and The Flirts' Passion), before forming a new band called Man's Favourite Sports.

However, as there were troubles with another band who had claimed the right to use this name the Zone brothers became Man2Man. Under this name the band scored their biggest hit "Male Stripper", teaming up with cult electro producer Man Parrish. Originally released in the United Kingdom in 1986 on the Bolts record label, "Male Stripper" was a big club hit throughout the autumn, before crossing over into the national pop charts in the spring of 87. The single reached number 4 in the UK Top 10, but unfortunately this success was never to be seen by group member Mikki, who had died of spinal meningitis on the 31st December 1986.

Due to the death of Mikki, Paul Zone decided to rename the act Man To Man and recorded a follow up single. This time it was decided the record would be a cover of Grace Jones' "I Need A Man" and where the intended sexuality of the male stripper was left ambiguous (with the band suggesting it could be a gay stripper or a Chippendales style stripper for the girls), this time the act went out for "full in your face" campness. However, this time, Man To Man would only chart as high as number 43 and never managed to chart again, even with proposals to work with Jacques Morali, producer of the Village People. Not much has been heard of from Paul Zone since, but his music remains highly sought after and respected by Hi-NRG music lovers.

[edit] Singles

• "Male Stripper"
• "Hottes't Of The Hot"
• "New York City Beat"
• "Energy Is Eurobeat/"I Need A Man"
• "Hard Hitting Love"
• "Who Knows What Evil?"
• "These Boots Are Made For Walkin' "
• "Sex Symbol"
• "At The Gym"
• "Hottest Of The Hot"
• "MÉXICO"
• "WALK LIKE A MAN"