Genesis and Evolution of the Italo-Disco Project "Helen": From the Origins of "Witch" to the Success of "Zanzibar".
The Italo-Disco musical project "Helen" was born from the creative union of Roberto Barocelli, Ennio Ronchelli, and Daniela Paratici. Their recording debut, which took place in 1983 at Studio Charleston, was marked by the song "Witch". The vocal interpretation was entrusted to Elena Ferretti, then a young promising talent in the Milanese music scene. Despite the initial success, "Witch" remained Ferretti's only collaboration with "Helen", an artist who would later lend her voice to numerous prominent projects under the pseudonyms of "Deborah Haslam", "Rose" and "Helena". In 1985, the vocals of "Helen" were inherited by Daniela Paratici, marking a new phase for the project. In the same year, the single "Zanzibar" was released under the aegis of the Lombardoni label. The production was handled by Roberto Lodola, a talented DJ and producer, who, with the collaboration of Daniele Losi, created a suggestive Afro version (Side B). A significant contribution to the percussion was offered by Nigerian musician George Aghedo, a prominent figure in the music scene, who tragically passed away in 1996.
The "Afro Mix" version of "Zanzibar" gained wide resonance thanks to its adoption as the theme song for the TV series "Samurai", broadcast on the Italian television station Canale 5, solidifying its popularity. The image of the "Helen" project, characterized by the presence of Elena Cerri, originally from Piacenza, on the covers of the singles "Zanzibar" and "Tunis Tunis", helped to define a distinctive and immediately recognizable visual identity.
Discography :
Singles
1983 – Witch (vocalist Elena Ferretti)
1985 – Zanzibar (vocalist Daniela Paratici)
1985 – Tunis Tunis (vocalist Daniela Paratici)
1989 – I Love You1989 - I'm Gonna Miss You
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