Monique Spartalis is the greatest female singer in this country. There are many very talented singers, but no one reaches the standards of Monique!
We have Hanne Boel in the soul/rock genre, Shirley Haim and Karen Rosenberg in R'n'B, latest we've got Kira Skov as a great new talent in the 1960's rock/soul genre. For a couple of years we have had Freya and Pernille Rosendahl, each in their own unique personal style.
But no one can sing any song, and make it divine as Monique can. No matter if it's a hard rock song or a soft ballad, she can give a wonderful expression to the tune with her warm, deep sensitive voice, like only Tina Turner and latest Anastacia can do it.

First time I ever heard this beautiful vocal, was in a television talkshow broadcast on 9. November 1991. Monique sang Forever Yours with Tony Jackson on shared vocals. This happened two weeks prior to the release of her excellent debut album, Shadows. I had the same experience which I also had 8 years later, when I heard Freya for the first time: I was completely astonished, and I couldn't believe that this was a Danish girl, I listened to!
So I bought the album the first day of release and have enjoyed to listen to it ever since. Still it is one of the very favorites of my cd-collection.

 

Jesper Winge Leisner at his office at the advertising agency Egebjerg, 18. April 1996.
Photo by Eric Klitgaard © 1996

All songs on Shadows was written, arranged and produced by Jesper Winge Leisner, - an extremely talented Danish composer, previously known from 1980's hit band Roccasino (Elsk Mig I Nat, Ridder Lykke). He was also the composer of the songs from Den Eneste Ene. Thanks to him, Shadows still remains as Monique's best album till now.

The debut album was recorded at Mox Studios in Vanløse with former Roccasino drummer, Jesper Bo, as co-producer and chief engineer.

Monique was born on 16. February 1966 in Copenhagen. She has a father, who originates from Greek forefathers, but born and grew up in Egypt, and a Danish mother. Due to her father's work as an enginier, the family travelled a lot during Monique's childhood, and so she has stayed in rather many countries in her early life. She has a younger sister, Katja.

Monique started her singing career as a member of The Danish Radio's Girls Choir and later a lot of amateur bands.........

THIS IS ONLY THE BEGINNING - MORE WILL FOLLOW