Aurra

Aurra was an American 1980s soul group, which, at the time of its biggest success, was composed of Curt Jones and Starleana Young.

Career

Aurra started off in 1979 as an offshoot of the funk band Slave, Aurra was created by Steve "The Fearless Leader" Washington which featured Curt Jones, Starleana Young, Charles Carter, and Buddy Hankerson on the first LP. Aurra initially signed with Dream Records and then Salsoul Records when Steve Washington and Thomas Lockett became members of Aurra with the addition of Phil Field. During the early 1980s, the group found success with hits such as "Are You Single" at number 16 on the US Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, "Checkin' You Out" and "Make Up Your Mind", which was its biggest US hit under this moniker- reaching number six on the R&B chart and number 71 on the pop chart. Legal issues with Steve Washington over the name Aurra made the duo change its name to Déjà, after which the group had a big hit with "You and Me Tonight", which reached number two R&B and number 54 pop in the US. A deal with Virgin affiliate 10 Records in the UK resulted in the song reaching number 12 on the UK Singles Chart, their best showing on that chart.