US news sources are reporting the death, on Tuesday 2nd April, of Chicago-born soul, gospel and house singer KIM ENGLISH. She was just 48 and died in her home town. Reports suggest that she had been dealing with kidney failure for five years and was on dialysis and awaiting a transplant.
Like many soul stars Ms English began her singing career in gospel but went on to work with some of the biggest names on the house music scene … people like Mood II Swing, Masters At Work, François K, Byron Burke and Byron Stingily. She also released two album of her own – both on the famed Nervous label – 1998’s ‘Higher Things’ and ‘My Destiny’ in 2006. That latter included one of her best known UK outings – a version of ‘C’est La Vie’.
On the European modern soul scene she’ll be fondly remembered for two classic tunes – ‘Simply Grateful’ and ‘It Makes A Difference’.
Kim English is survived by her son Christopher, her parents Annie Joyce English and Ronald English, and her brothers Eric, Richard and Ronald Carl.
