Album flashback
Candi [1988]
Here’s to the bands that play weddings, parties, or anything - get signed to a cool label [in this case, I.R.S.], have tremendous success and then vanish into obscurity.
In this case, that band is Candi & The Backbeat - or just Candi as we find them on their debut, self-titled record.
Personnel: Candita Pennella (lead vocals) | Rich Imbrogno (keys) / Nino (Big Papa) Milazzo (bass) / Paul (Baldy) Russo (drums) - Candi and Baldy would marry somewhere along the way.
The singles tally on this release was an impressive four - each one charting better than the last. Crossing over to both Canadian and US Dance charts, too.
So, let’s dig in.
Dancing Under A Latin Moon - peaked #24 | #8 Dance [CAN] | #46 Dance [USA]
This will put some dance in your pants. An infectious little tune with some great horn stabs, you can see how this would be big in the late 80s.
A Spanish version was also recorded.
Behind The Vinyl - Boom 97.3
Candi gives some background here, in the most humble and ‘what’s the big deal’ kind of way.
Under Your Spell - peaked #21 | #1 Dance [CAN] | #39 Dance [USA]
Whatever happened to acid wash and hats. Are they due to come back soon?
This song is a banger. Great energy and a fun ending.
I’ll allow the garbled metaphor of the fortune teller that I’m guessing was supposed to tie back to putting a spell on someone…
Missing You - peaked #18 | #9 Dance [CAN]
This sounds like Madonna, folks. I know you’ll hear it, so I’m not gonna gloss over it or try to insult your intelligence.
Still hits the mark, though.
Love Makes No Promises - peaked #9
You knew that ballad was coming, didn’t you? And yes, 80s fans - there’s a sultry saxophone for you.
I like that the video set is not subtle in any way, it’s a real time capsule.
While their second album [‘World Keeps On Turning’] would chart three more singles, this tune was Candi’s high water mark.
Three years later and the group would be no more, seemingly everyone left the industry and moved on.



The only one I knew was Dancing Under a Latin Moon. I’m familiar with some of the 12-inch mixes (no surprise there 😂), but I didn’t know anything about the artist. Thanks for enlightening me! And yes — it was very Madonna.
Never heard of her or knew any of these songs. I’m sure she’ll be on the Canadian citizenship test, so I’ll study up.