View source for Melodi Brown (partially lost discography of R&B and pop music group; 2002-2003)

'''Melodi Brown''' was a 4-person girl group from the UK formed in mid-2002. The members consisted of Ama Schreyer, Kelly Mac, Zahra Palmer, and Rae Sanniez, who went by the names Kemi, Kelly-Ann, Zahra, and Stephanie respectively.

The group was set to release their debut single, an R&B song titled “Naked” on September 9<sup>th</sup>, 2002, through a deal with Polydor,<ref>[https://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/news/5948562.singles/ Bolton News article from Friday, September 6th, 2002, claiming the song would come out on Monday]</ref> and eventually a whole album was meant to be released at some point in early 2003. This did not work out, however, as around the same time “Naked” was due to release, the group was fighting for the chance to release with another group that had both the same record label and management team, Girls Aloud.<ref name=":0">[https://www.instagram.com/p/Cci_Q2ajkuc/ Interview between Instagram user hamadamania and former member of the group, Zahra Palmer]</ref>

Their song “Naked” eventually got delayed from September 9<sup>th</sup>, 2002, to July 24<sup>th</sup>, 2003,<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20030420111040im_/http://www.solarcreative.co.uk/imagesn/art/cd_melo_ad.jpg Solar Creative's announcement of the song "Naked" being delayed to July 24th, 2003]</ref> as Girls Aloud was taking off, and eventually around early 2003 the group was dropped all together before either their single or album were released, meaning they never officially released anything.<ref name=":0" />

The songs intended for the group’s debut album would later be tried out for other artists of the time, such as Mariana Ochoa, Tata Young, and most notably Britney Spears, who would go on to release the song “Do Somethin’”, which was originally meant for the group.<ref name=":1">[https://www.instagram.com/p/CW0a0YfvMJZ/ Songwriter of "Do Somethin'", Angela Hunte, confirms the song was meant for Melodi Brown before Britney Spears recorded it (read comments)]</ref>

The group had a few CDs made for promo use – a promo single CD of “Naked”<ref>[https://www.instagram.com/p/B07EfV5As5H/ (reupload of) Instagram post by hamadamania showing their copy of the "Naked" promo single CD]</ref><ref>[https://www.instagram.com/p/BQIiPNMB5OU/ Instagram user anfunny showing a few of their CDs, in which the "Naked" promo single CD is visible]</ref>, and two promo sampler CDs titled the “5-Track Sampler”<ref>[https://www.instagram.com/p/BQXQF6CFvJS/ Fredro, producer of the groups' song "Skin!", showing off his copy of the 5-Track Sampler CD on Instagram]</ref> and “Skin!”. Several promo CDs of “Naked” are known to exist along with the 5-Track Sampler CD and the “Skin!” sampler, however the latter two are far rarer, with only a few photos existing of the 5-Track Sampler. There is very little evidence that the “Skin!” sampler actually exists other than a piece of cover art not seen anywhere else being uploaded to Discogs.<ref>[https://www.discogs.com/release/3831388-Melodi-Brown-Skin Discogs page for the "Skin!" sampler CD]</ref>

== Known Songs ==
A lot of these have surfaced through several means. A few songs have leaked in full due to also being considered for Britney Spears as mentioned before, which fans of her have posted online. Some were on the 5-Track Sampler CD and have made their way online that way. However, the songs not on the CDs are mostly lost, and only snippets that were posted to BMG are available.
{| class="wikitable"
|+Songs intended for their album go as follows (not in any particular order):
!Title
!Info
!Status
|-
|Do Somethin'
|The song that was later recorded and released by Britney Spears.<ref name=":1" /> People on the PopJustice forums and Zahra herself claim that the group performed this song live on several occasions in 2002 and possibly early 2003 at various shows, however nothing has surfaced of their version. Written by Angela Hunte with Bloodshy & Avant and Henrik Jonback.<ref>[https://www.ascap.com/repertory#/ace/search/workID/340806257 ASCAP Listing for "Do Somethin'", with Britney Spears listed]</ref>
|Lost
|-
|Who's Fooling Who
|Very little is known about this song. Its’ only mentions are on SoundExchange’s ISRC database sites,<ref>[https://isrc.soundexchange.com/#!/search?artistName=Melodi%20Brown&tab=search&showReleases=0&start=10&number=10 SoundExchange's ISRC search page showing "Who's Fooling Who" under Melodi Brown search]</ref> and on ASCAP with no performers listed.<ref>[https://www.ascap.com/repertory#/ace/search/workID/530587410 ASCAP Listing for "Who's Fooling Who"]</ref> Written by Angela Hunte and Korpi & Blackcell.
|Lost
|-
|Naked
|The groups’ intended debut single. There are 2 versions known to exist, one which is on the promo CD for just the song, and one that’s on the 5-Track Sampler CD that has a slightly longer intro. Oddly enough, ASCAP has both the Bloodshy & Avant remix and this version listed, with this one being listed as just "Naked" and the Bloodshy & Avant remix being listed as "Naked (US Remix)".<ref>[https://www.ascap.com/repertory#/ace/search/workID/440341891 ASCAP Listing for "Naked"]</ref><ref name=":2">[https://www.ascap.com/repertory#/ace/search/workID/440481614 ASCAP Listing for "Naked (US Remix)"]</ref>
|Single version: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QOriM3wqK44 Found]

Sampler version:

[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Ebn_drU8Dw Found]
|-
|Spin The Record
|2 versions have been found – one is an unmastered version of the song (leaked through BMG it seems), and the other comes from the 5-Track Sampler CD. The early version was leaked by BritneyOnline. For some reason, the song is filed as having different writers in ASCAP and Songview.<ref>[https://www.ascap.com/repertory#/ace/search/workID/491456378 ASCAP Listing for "Spin The Record"]</ref><ref>[https://www.ascap.com/repertory#/ace/search/workID/492989078 Songview Listing for "Spin The Record" on ASCAP]</ref>
|Unmastered: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fKYpp0IEYUY Found]
Mastered: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0nLU3RRRO_s Found]
|-
|Skin!
|Fredro, the producer of this song, has previously posted snippets of the song on his Instagram and has sent copies of the song to people who asked about the sampler CD. Song written by Angela Hunte, Henrik Jonback, and Fredro.<ref>[https://www.ascap.com/repertory#/ace/search/workID/492988435 ASCAP Listing for "Skin!"]</ref>
|[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d4o2EYbbPpw Found]
|-
|Never Knew My Baby
|Later recorded and released by Tata Young.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eNU5kQG9TA8 Tata Young's version of "Never Knew My Baby", retitled as "I Guess I Never Knew My Baby"]</ref> Interestingly, ASCAP has this song listed twice – once without a performer, and once with the performer set as Whitney Houston.<ref>[https://www.ascap.com/repertory#/ace/search/workID/440707853 ASCAP Listing for "Never Knew My Baby", with no performer]</ref><ref>[https://www.ascap.com/repertory#/ace/search/workID/440659272 ASCAP Listing for "Never Knew My Baby", with Whitney Houston listed.]</ref> Song written by BAG & Arnthor, Sebastian Nylund, and Wayne Hector.
|[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GDjCQkFqtko Found]
|-
|Disguise My Love
|Unclear if it was meant for the group. A demo with vocals by Michelle Bell was found by Britneyadmiring. Written by Michelle Bell with Bloodshy & Avant and Henrik Jonback.<ref>[https://www.ascap.com/repertory#/ace/search/workID/342967553 ASCAP Listing for "Disguise My Love"]</ref>
|[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GR0Zj7-bDjE Found]
|-
|Under The Pressure
|Unclear if it was meant for the group. A demo with vocals by Michelle Bell was found by Britneyadmiring. Written by Michelle Bell with Bloodshy & Avant.<ref>[https://www.ascap.com/repertory#/ace/search/workID/510172851 ASCAP Listing for "Under The Pressure"]</ref>
|[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qRLdT4tSXG8 Found]
|-
|10 Steps Back
|On BMG, the song's artist is listed as a “Melody Brown”. This is the case for several of the snippets, however it is likely just a misspelling of Melodi Brown. Written by Kandi Burruss alongside BAG & Arnthor.<ref>[https://www.ascap.com/repertory#/ace/search/workID/450333934 ASCAP Listing for "10 Steps Back"]</ref>
|Partially Found:
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JBFEwgoYsE0 30 second snippet]
|-
|Crazy Things
|Also later considered for Britney Spears. A demo snippet has been found with vocals by Michelle Bell, who wrote it along with Bloodshy & Avant.<ref>[https://www.ascap.com/repertory#/ace/search/workID/330957872 ASCAP Listing for "Crazy Things"]</ref>
|Partially Found:
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JBFEwgoYsE0 30 second snippet]
|-
|Don't Hate Me
|Written by Arnthor Birgisson of BAG & Arnthor, Christian Karlsson of Bloodshy & Avant, Lorne Tennant, Patrick Standfast, and Wayne Hector.<ref>[https://www.ascap.com/repertory#/ace/search/workID/882988685 ASCAP Listing for "Don't Hate Me"]</ref>
|Partially Found:
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JBFEwgoYsE0 30 second snippet]
|-
|Naughty (Down By The Corner)
|Has vocals by Michelle Escoffery, who wrote it with Bloodshy & Avant.<ref>[https://www.ascap.com/repertory#/ace/search/workID/440929695 ASCAP Listing for "Naughty (Down By The Corner)"]</ref> The title on BMG has a spelling error and is instead titled “Naughty (down By The Coner)”
|Partially Found:
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JBFEwgoYsE0 30 second snippet]
|-
|Nitty Gritty
|Unclear if this was intended for the group. Luciana Caporaso, who provided vocals for the demo snippet and who also wrote it, said on an episode of the Original Doll podcast that the song was intended for a girl group she could not remember the name of. The only girl group Bloodshy & Avant worked with at this time was Melodi Brown, therefore it was likely intended for them. Song was also written with the help of Bloodshy & Avant and Henrik Jonback.<ref>[https://www.ascap.com/repertory#/ace/search/workID/440929757 ASCAP Listing for "Nitty Gritty"]</ref>
|Unconfirmed:
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5a4J6exsNm4 30 second snippet]
|-
|Tell Me
|Appears to have vocals by Engelina Andrina. Written by Adam Powers, Engelina Andrina, Jonas Jeberg, and Mich Hansen. Oddly enough, this song does not appear to have an ASCAP listing, and is only available on BMG.
|Partially Found:
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JBFEwgoYsE0 30 second snippet]
|-
|That Woman
|Demo snippet found with vocals that appear to be Angela Hunte. Written by Angela Hunte with Jens Bjurman and Per Kalenius. For some reason, on ASCAP, Angela Hunte isn't credited, but she is on BMG. <ref>[https://www.ascap.com/repertory#/ace/search/workID/501010613 ASCAP Listing for "That Woman"]</ref>
|Partially Found:
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JBFEwgoYsE0 30 second snippet]
|-
|Touchdown! / Touchdown! (jogo Perigoso)
|Written by Wayne Hector with BAG & Arnthor. For some reason, on BMG, it’s titled “Touchdown! (jogo Perigoso)” which is Portuguese for “dangerous game”. There are also two listings for the song on ASCAP, one that’s just titled “Touchdown!” and one also titled “Touchdown! (jogo Perigoso)”.<ref>[https://www.ascap.com/repertory#/ace/search/workID/500889338 ASCAP Listing for "Touchdown!"]</ref><ref>[https://www.ascap.com/repertory#/ace/search/workID/882988596 ASCAP Listing for "Touchdown! (jogo Perigoso)"]</ref>
|Partially Found:
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JBFEwgoYsE0 30 second snippet]
|-
|My Lover
|A demo snippet has been found with what sounds like vocals by the group, however it is unconfirmed it it is indeed the group singing. Written by Michelle Escoffery with Bloodshy & Avant. Later recorded released by Mexican singer Mariana Ochoa with lyrics in Spanish instead of English. Both an English version and a Spanish adaptation appear on ASCAP.<ref>[https://www.ascap.com/repertory#/ace/search/workID/431305312 ASCAP Listing for "My Lover"]</ref><ref>[https://www.ascap.com/repertory#/ace/search/workID/431315356 ASCAP Listing for "My Lover (Spanish Adaptation)"]</ref>
|Unconfirmed:
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q_fKJ3n3myc 30 second snippet]
|-
|DJ
|Rumored to be for the group, mentioned a few times on the older Popjustice forums. Nothing is known about this version as nothing is known for it and there is a chance it was somehow confused with another song or misattributed to the group. Song was later released by Jamelia. No listing on ASCAP exists for it.
|Existence Unconfirmed
|-
|Spin That Bottle
|Unconfirmed if this was ever meant for the group at all, likely a mix-up between Rachel Stevens’ “Spin That Bottle” and the previously mentioned “Spin The Record”. No listing on ASCAP exists for it.
|Existence Unconfirmed
|}
There were also several remixes of “Naked” done by various people, not intended for the album. One of these was featured on the 5-Track Sampler CD, and the rest were released on vinyl records. However, CDs are known to exist with the Venus Tribe Remix feat. Familia, a version without Familia, as well as the Mark Picchiotti Remixes.
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!Title
!Info
!Status
|-
|Naked (Bloodshy & Avant Remix)
|Shorter version of the Extended remix. Only known to be on the 5-Track Sampler which despite the other tracks being available online, this one isn't.<ref name=":2" />
|Lost
|-
|Naked (Bloodshy & Avant Extended Remix)
|
|[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tsafYCt9INM Found]
|-
|Naked (Bloodshy & Avant Instrumental)
|
|[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hIHnDLwB5OU Found]
|-
|Naked (Off-Key Boot Remix)
|Found on a rare Street Beats compilation CD. The same as the version featuring Familia, however it fades out before the duo's rap segment.
|[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AdzByi-54bM Found]
|-
|Naked (Off-Key Boot Remix feat. Familia)
|
|[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=heaIWjXaFu8 Found]
|-
|Naked (Bootstrumental)
|
|[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QKM4pwISA8k Found]
|-
|Naked (Venus Tribe Remix feat. Familia)
|
|[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7WyqJuxSGzs Found]
|-
|Naked (Venus Tribe Instrumental)
|
|[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TibfgGh1a60 Found]
|-
|Naked (Groove Chronicles Vocal Mix)
|
|[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OoWg9ffBP38 Found]
|-
|Naked (Groove Chronicles Dub Mix)
|
|[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZzhjM2tXtTM Found]
|-
|Naked (Nick Nice Remix)
|
|[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2cUoLba76zQ Found]
|-
|Naked (Nick Nice Instrumental)
|
|[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zxaba2Bh0bQ Found]
|-
|Naked (Mark Picchiotti Vocal Mix)
|The rips of the Mark Picchiotti Remixes come from an unknown CD instead of a vinyl record.
|[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OB2IZQzOteo Found]
|-
|Naked (Mark Picchiotti Dub Mix)
|
|[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WdjAQYZF9aE Found]
|}

== "Naked" Music Video ==
As mentioned before, there was a music video filmed for "Naked". It was directed by Tim Royes and produced by Emma Butterworth of Black Dog Films, and has a date of May 31st, 2002.<ref>[https://licensing.screenocean.com/record/273232 Video Pool Tape Number 219X - has the music video to "Naked"]</ref> This version is [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Ebn_drU8Dw available on YouTube.]

<references />