Breathe

A British pop group that delivered polished, easygoing sounds with a dash of R&B rhythms, Breathe are best remembered for two tunes from their debut album, "Hands to Heaven" and "How Can I Fall," that were significant chart hits in the U.K. and the U.S. Formed in London, England in 1984, Breathe began as a five-piece group called Catch 22, comprising five longtime friends who attended school together in Hampshire -- lead singer David Glasper, guitarist and keyboard player Marcus Lillington, Phill Harrison on bass and guitar, bassist Michael Delahunty, and drummer Spike (aka Ian Spice). After Harrison left the group, Catch 22 became Breathe, and in 1987 they cut a demo tape that attracted the attention of the the British label Siren Records. Siren signed the band for the U.K., and A&M picked up their option for American distribution; their first album, All That Jazz, appeared in April 1988, and rose to 22 on the British charts and 34 in the United States on the basis of the album's hit singles. The band toured extensively in support of All That Jazz, though bassist Delahunty would quit later in 1988, and Breathe continued on as a trio. Their second album, Peace of Mind, arrived in August 1990; the new record failed to enjoy the success of the debut, peaking at 116 on the American album charts and not charting at all in England, though the song "Say a Prayer" went Top Ten on the American adult contemporary listings. By 1992, Breathe had run their course. Since then, David Glasper has pursued a solo career, Marcus Lillington works in Web design and plays in a band called Stroke the Toad with original bassist Phill Harrison, and drummer Ian "Spike" Spice sadly died in 2000. In 2013, All That Jazz was given an expanded reissue by Cherry Pop Records. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi