After Dinner Speakers: Neneh Cherry, Jarvis Cocker, Benicio Del Toro

b. Neneh Mariann Karlsson, 10 March 1964, Stockholm, Sweden. Cherry is the step-daughter of jazz trumpeter Don Cherry. She joined English post-punk band Rip, Rig And Panic in 1981 as a vocalist, later performing with several ex-members of that band as Float Up CP. In the mid-80s she also sang backing vocals for the Slits and The The ("Slow Train To Dawn", 1987). In 1989, Cherry recorded a series of dance tracks for Circa, including the international hit single "Buffalo Stance" (which was featured on the soundtrack of the movie Slaves Of New York), "Manchild" and "Kisses On The Wind'. Her main co-writer was husband Cameron McVey. Her debut Raw Like Sushi"s eclectic blend of hip-hop rhythms and pop melodies earned Cherry excellent reviews and sizeable sales figures. In 1990, Cherry contributed to the AIDS-charity collection, Red Hot And Blue, singing Cole Porter's "I've Got You Under My Skin", but was quiet again until the release of Homebrew in 1992. A noticeably mellower album, it featured production and writing collaborations with a pre-Portishead Geoff Barrow and cameo appearances by Gang Starr and Michael Stipe. Cherry reasserted herself as a commercial force in 1994 with the international hit single "Seven Seconds", which saw her collaborating with African superstar Youssou N'Dour. In March 1995, in the company of Chrissie Hynde, Cher and Eric Clapton, she topped the UK charts with the charity single "Love Can Build A Bridge". Family commitments meant another lengthy recording hiatus before she released Man in 1996. During the late 90s her studio appearances were limited to guest vocals on several big club hits, including the Dreem Teem's "Buddy X 99".