Nadine Renee, 32; "Set U Free" singer
Hyfler/Rosner
BYLINE: By MICHAEL PAOLETTA, Billboard Bulletin
Nadine Shamir, who recorded as Nadine Renee, died Dec. 2 at
North Shore Hospital in Miami. She was 32. Though the cause
of death is not yet known, Renee did experience
complications following the Dec. 1 birth of her first child,
Liat Nadine Shamir.
The New York-born/Miami-raised artist is best-known as the
singer of Planet Soul's 1996 crossover hit "Set U Free"
(Strictly Rhythm Records), which reached the top 30 of the
Billboard Hot 100. In the late '90s, she signed with MCA and
recorded an album that was shelved. A re-worked version
(titled "Oasis of Love") was later released by the Orchard.
In addition to her daughter, Renee is survived by her
husband, John Shamir; her mother, Joanna Pavone; sister
Deborah Frangomihalos; and brother Joseph Silza. Funeral
services were held Dec. 5.
Hyfler/Rosner
BYLINE: BY MONICA HATCHER; mhat...@herald.com
Nadine Shamir, who under the name Nadine Renee, co-wrote and
performed the 1996 techno classic Set U Free, died early
Thursday at North Shore Hospital from complications
following the birth of her first child, Liat Nadine. Shamir
was 32.
Born in New York, Shamir moved to Miami with her mother
while she was still an infant, but traveled the world during
her childhood where she developed an ear for exotic sounds.
While attending Miami Coral Park High School, Shamir began
doing vocals for studios and music acts in the Miami area,
including pop trio Expose and other smaller acts.
''She was so talented, and she loved making people smile,''
recalled her mother, Joanna Pavone. ''She was writing prose
poems as a child and acting in school plays.''
At 16, she debuted as a solo singer, releasing her first
album under an independent label.
Shamir's first taste of success came in 1995 with the
release of the hit single Say You'll Stay, which was widely
played on the Miami and Los Angeles radio circuits.
Soon after, Shamir teamed up with Miami disc jockey George
Acosta to produce Set U Free, which they released under the
group name Planet Soul. The song hit number 26 on
Billboard's Top 40, crossed over onto the R&B charts and was
a success internationally.
''She never expected in a million years for that to be her
biggest song,'' said Jon Shamir, Nadine's husband. ''It was
just a fluke thing she did and that's how life works
sometimes, but she was proud of it.''
Shamir performed in Europe and continued song writing and
recording through her adult years. She was signed to MCA
records in 2000, cutting the album Oasis of Love, said Jon
Shamir.
She was also signed as a songwriter with Warner Chappell, a
music publishing house.
While Shamir enjoyed painting, writing screenplays and
meeting people, music was her passion.
''It was her life. That's what she did 99.9 percent of the
time,'' Jon Shamir said.
The couple met in the early '90s at MCA Studios in New York
City: Jon was working as a producer and Nadine as a
receptionist.
The two were married in January 2003. Liat Nadine Shamir is
their first child.
''Her number one goal in life was becoming a mother, but the
business always put a wedge in there, making her hold off,''
Jon Shamir said.
''Finally, she saw an opportunity, and throughout her
pregnancy, she was always doing research on the Internet to
make sure everything was OK.''
Liat Nadine Shamir was born around 1:30 p.m. Wednesday. Her
mother passed away around 3 a.m. the following morning. The
cause of death is still being determined.
In addition to her mother, husband and daughter, Shamir is
survived by a sister, Deborah Frangomihalos, and a brother,
Joseph Silza.
Funeral services were held Sunday.