Album flashback
One To One - Forward Your Emotions
Ottawa’s One To One [aka 1-2-1 or One 2 One] got their start as a cover band in the early part of the 80s.
The duo of Leslie Howe and Louise Reny were primarily studio-based as Howe was responsible for all of the music with Reny on vocal duties.
Their catalog of three albums showcased a versatile act [or one with a bit of an identity crisis], moving through synth driven sounds on their debut, more guitar featured in the second album, and adopting a lighter AOR sound for their final project.
Fans of CanCon diva Alanis Morissette might recognize Leslie Howe as the producer of her first two dance pop albums, and she actually does background vocals on the track ‘Friends’ from One To One’s third and final LP ‘Imagine It’.
Three records was all we’d get from this version of the duo, as they got ‘grunged’ out of the business for a while.
Our heroes would return later in the 90s with a new project. First known as Sal’s Birdland, which was changed to Artificial Joy Club. Neither project charted, but I believe they set a record for number of band names in a 10-year period.
As for ‘Forward Your Emotions’ it was recorded in Germany with Howe behind the boards. It bears many of the sound characteristics you’d expect - especially the layered synths and vocals, and gated reverb on much of the percussion.
There Was A Time | peaked #14
Posting what I recall as the Canadian version of the video, there was also a performance-based clip featuring an overly enthusiastic performance by the ‘band’.
This is brilliant synth-pop, with a powerful chorus that gets you singing.
Lyrically, the theme is nostalgia and escaping to a better time. Which sounds pretty appealing in 2026.
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Angel In My Pocket | peaked #24
Had to include this version of the video, complete with a snippet of an interview with Christopher Ward in the Much Environment. He was one of the original VJs and co-wrote with Alannah Myles, including ‘Black Velvet’.
For some reason, I would have guessed this as the bigger hit. While it wasn’t here at home, it did just crack on Billboard at #92.
Including a frankly phenomenal remix for posterity [and for Pé at The Twelve Inch (Disco/80s)] - who might have this in his collection!
Black On White | peaked #90
Feel this one got shortchanged a bit, it’s very good.
Louise’s vocals are strong, as is the sneaky little guitar solo from Leslie. I also like the little newsreader blurb at the end, very ‘of it’s time’.
The theme of identity is brought home for me with the lyric “I’m only who I am when no one’s here”.
If you’re a fan of keyboard-oriented sounds, you will love this one. Give it a spin!
Do you have a favourite track or did you learn something new about One To One?
I have that Sal's Birdland cd, So Very Happy, it's great.
This is a real discovery, Ken! I didn’t know the band or the song at all. I see there was a German/continental European 12-inch release for Angel in My Pocket, but it didn’t do much, not for lack of trying. There’s even a “French Edit”!
This is right up my alley. I put it straight onto my Discogs wishlist 😁 Thanks for the tip!