UNITY PRODUCTIONS
Selmore Ezekiel Linford Lewinson
Dan-I (born Selmore Ezekiel Lewinson - died September 2006) was a British disco musician, signed to Island Records, who had a Top 20 hit in the UK Singles Chart in 1979 with a single called "Monkey Chop". He originated from Jamaica, and Trevor Horn was the uncredited record producer of "Monkey Chop". Without any further chart success, Dan I remains listed as a one-hit wonder.
His stage name derived from his interest in numerology, meaning "number one". In the early 1970s he was asked by George Clinton to join his band Funkadelic, but he declined, believing he was too young. During the 1970s he worked with Cat Stevens, Andy Fraser, and Joe Jammer, and led his own club band, D-Dancer. D-Dancer split up in 1976, after which Dan-I spent a year in Nigeria before embarking on a solo career, signing with Island Records after being introduced by Linton Kwesi Johnson, and having a major hit with "Monkey Chop", which he described as "music for the new optimism"
He moved to Los Angeles, California in the mid 1980s, where he recorded several demos. Dan-I recorded and tour with the Babylon Warriors.
Dan-I joined the Unity band, did many recordings and live performances.
He then moved to South Africa before returning to London. He died of unspecified causes in September 2006.
I first met Jamaica-born Selmore Lewinson in 1969; even then as a 13 year old at Holland Park School, he was known as Dan-I. I used to call him Black Danny, always happy-go-lucky, amazing that I used to teach him and his class Spanish as an assistant to Mrs. Inez White.
While still at school Dan-I started getting hired as a session singer in London's vibrant recording scene. Some ten years later, our paths crossed in London, Dan-I now signed to Island Records being groomed for stardom. Monkey Chop was a Top 20 hit in Britain and # 1 in various countries around the world. I remember Dan-I leading me around the Chiswick, London offices of Island Records in 1980, acting as though he owned the place. After meeting with the then managing director, I was introduced to a young Irish manager, Paul McGuinness whose band had just been signed to Island. Soon after, Dan-I was released from his contract and that young band - U2 - had replaced Bob Marley as Island's meal ticket.
Dan-I lived in Los Angeles in the mid 80s after a stint in New York. Besides releasing this compilation of his various efforts from the late 70s, Dan-I recorded several demos in Los Angeles. Later, Dan-I lived in South Africa before returning to London. The legendary Trevor Horn is the uncredited producer of Monkey Chop.
Dan-I passed away from unspecified causes in September 2006.
VDK 8001: DAN-I - Nicely, Nicely (LP)
