Yomanda – Synth & Strings

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Published on January 16, 2025 9:21:13 PM ● Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=esEqU1qxTgk

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Journey (2012)

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PRODUCER [PRODUCED BY], ARRANGED BY, MIXED BY
Paul Masterson (YOMANDA)

WRITTEN-BY
Adrian Baker
Eddie Seago
Paul Masterson
John McLaughlin

RELEASE DATE: 1999
GENRE: Hard House, HouseM Trance

"Synth & Strings" is the most recognizable track by Paul Masterson, released under the pseudonym Yomanda. It is a club anthem that gained immense popularity in the dance music scene at the turn of the 1990s and 2000s.

Inspiration: The track draws inspiration from the disco hit "Dance Yourself Dizzy" by Liquid Gold from 1980. Masterson decided to use the distinctive string sound from this song, transforming it into a dynamic, modern hard house production.

"Synth & Strings" reached number 8 on the UK Singles Chart in 1999, marking a major success for Paul Masterson as a solo artist.

The track was one of the most frequently played pieces in clubs across the UK and Europe during that period.

It also gained popularity on the international dance scene, earning recognition in Japan, Australia, and the United States.

Paul Kevin Masterson, widely known under the pseudonym Yomanda, is a Northern Irish DJ and music producer who left a lasting mark on the history of dance music in the 1990s and early 21st century.

Born in Belfast, Paul grew up on the famous Falls Road during the Northern Ireland conflict, which shaped his dreams of escaping into the world of music.

His fascination with 1980s synth-pop and bands like Pet Shop Boys and Dead or Alive inspired him to pursue a career in electronic music.

EARLY CAREER
Paul began his journey in music as a DJ at the age of 16 and later started creating his own tracks. He eventually moved to London, where he began releasing music under various pseudonyms.

One of his first projects was Wand, followed by Sleaze Sisters, which gained popularity with dance hits like Whip It Up and Work It Up Wear It Down.

In London, Paul collaborated with DJ Rachel Auburn, resulting in the euro-house project Candy Girls. Tracks such as Fi Fi Fo Fum, Wham Bam, and I Want Candy achieved great success, making it onto the charts in the UK and Europe.

BREAKTHROUGH: AMEN! UK AND THE CLASSIC "PASSION"
In 1995, Masterson founded the project Amen! UK, which quickly gained recognition with the track Passion.

This song became one of the biggest hits on European dance floors and was hailed as a classic of dance music.

Passion stood out with its distinctive hi-NRG sound, and Billboard magazine described it as a track that pays homage to legendary genre pioneers like Patrick Cowley.

YOMANDA: SYNTH & STRINGS AND DANCE SCENE SUCCESS
In 1999, Paul Masterson adopted the pseudonym Yomanda, under which he released his most recognizable track – Synth & Strings.

This piece, combining the dynamic sound of hard house with catchy melodies, quickly reached #8 on the UK Singles Chart and became a club anthem.

Synth & Strings was inspired by the disco hit Liquid Gold - Dance Yourself Dizzy, one of Paul’s favorite tracks.

The song gained massive popularity in clubs thanks to support from DJs like Judge Jules, Pete Tong, and Dave Pearce, who regularly played it in their sets.

Following the success of Synth & Strings, Yomanda released additional hits, including Sunshine (2000, UK #16) and On the Level (2000, UK #28).

COLLABORATION WITH JUDGE JULES: HI-GATE
Around the same time, Paul Masterson partnered with legendary DJ Judge Jules, forming the duo Hi-Gate.

Their first success was the track Pitchin' (In Every Direction), which reached #6 on the UK Singles Chart in 2000. Subsequent hits like I Can Hear Voices and Caned and Unable solidified Hi-Gate as one of the leading dance music projects of that decade.

REMIXES AND COLLABORATIONS WITH STARS
Paul Masterson also gained recognition as a remixer, working with artists such as:

Kylie Minogue
Geri Halliwell
Boy George
Jeanie Tracy
Armand Van Helden

In 2003, Yomanda released a reinterpretation of the classic hit Ultra Naté - You're Free, which reached #22 on the UK Singles Chart.

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