Freestyle Dance Party

Erotic Exotic

Erotic Exotic –Musicians at the Forefront of Freestyle

When did Erotic Exotic perform?
The band came together in 1985 and split up in 1994. 

Where did they come from?
They’re from Hialeah, a suburb of Miami.

Who were Erotic Exotic?
Eric Tallman was the lead singer, who sadly died in 1994 of a heart attack. Al Perez played and programmed keyboards and sang back-up for Eric. He was with the band for their entire duration. Mario Gil played lead guitar from 1985 until 1992, when Dee Whitcomb took his place until 1994.

Who else was in it?
Gus Caveda was bassist, rhythm guitarist, and a vocalist, from 1985 until1992, when Rick Viera took over as bassist until for the final 2 years of the band. John Aguilo was drummer from 1985 until 1987, when Eddie de la Cruz replaced him as drummer and drum programmer for the rest of the band’s career.

What did Eddie de la Cruz do when Erotic Exotic dissolved?
He formed Liquid Sun, an alternative band, and then joined the band Al’s not Well.

So who’s this guy Julian Lara?
He’s the current lead singer and also the band’s producer and songwriter. Julian has labored alongside some of dance music’s pioneers including legendary DJ Phil “Big Money” Jones and Giuseppe D, a Grammy-nominated house and dance producer. Julian’s background in hip-hop/house/dance and energy adds character and a unique style to the band.

And who is Erotic Angel?
Alyssa Z. is no ordinary backup singer: she’s key to the current success of Erotic Exotic.  She has passion, elegance, integrity, and sex appeal. Since her days writing and recording original music at 18 years of age, she knew that music was an integral part of her life and that she was destined to perform.

What were their most famous songs?

• Take Me as I Am
• L.O.V.E. [New York Mix]
• In Your Eyes
• If My Love Doesn’t Suit Ya
• I Can Give You What You Need
• I’m Not in Love
• L.O.V.E. [Miami Mix]

How did Erotic Exotic come to be?
They started as Expose’s backing band. They were also the band for Stevie B and Technotronic.  Then they were signed to Atlantic Records, at the perfect moment: the dance music scene was in revival after having recovered from the anti-disco fervor of the late 1970s.

How was Erotic Exotic different from their peers?
In the 1980s, most freestyle artists were producer-driven entities, whereas Erotic Exotic was a self-contained band of actual musicians.

So, they were an offshoot of other musicians. Did they spawn any artists themselves?
Yes. The members of Erotic Exotic were instrumental in the launching of other freestyle acts such as Connie, singer of “Funky Little Beat,” and they produced the first Latin freestyle group, Los Sucios (Sucia Que Rica Son).

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