Rockell

Rockell: It All Started with Karaoke

Who is Rockell?
She was born Rachel Alexandra Mercaldo on Long Island, New York, on March 4, 1977.

How did her music career begin?
Rockell was singing along with a recording of “Killing Me Softly With His Song.” Someone at the bar worked for producer Ewart A. Wilson, Jr., brought her to him. That led to her 1996 debut single, “I Fell in Love.” Two years later she returned with Instant Pleasure, which featured producers like Hex Hector and Tony Moran.

What were her major hits?
In the late 1990s, her major dance hits were “In A Dream,” “When I’m Gone,” and “Can’t We Try.” She duetted on that last one with Collage. These tracks appeared together on her 1998 debut album, What Are You Lookin’ At?

In 2000, she released a second album, Instant Pleasure, which included the single “What U Did 2 Me.” That album was produced by the likes of Hex Hector and Tony Moran. Her best success has often been in Canada, where she still performs in clubs.

What was her career like in recent years?
She made a comeback in 2005 with “L.O.V.E.”, a limited independent release with DJ Mickey Bono as producer. Lenny “Linus” Douglas remixed it for trance fans, while freestyle remixes were offered by Russ Castella and Randy Taylor-Weber.

Where do I know that name from?
Randy Taylor-Weber was the original writer and producer of “In a Dream”.

Then what happened?
In Spring 2007, Rockell returned to the studio to record a new single, “Playing My Love.” Just in time for the holidays, Salsation 3 produced a Freestyle remix which gave “Playing My Love” longevity through 2008. In November 2007, she released a remake of “You Keep Me Hanging On,” a new dance single remake of the Supremes’ and Kim Wilde hit. This song was with Canada’s Odeon Records.

Is Rockell still recording?
Yup.In 2009, Rockell came back with a cover of Donna Summer’s “On The Radio,” along with several remixes.