Trio Expres – Expres

Romanian disco-pop group founded by the well-known TV director Titus Munteanu in 1979, with [a2627598] as the leader.
Original line-up:
1979 — [a3358756], [a2627598], and Zoe Câmpeanu.

Between May and August 1979, they released three songs:
”Vacanța” (Holiday), ”Vrei, nu vrei” (Whether you want to or not) [ [r3381481] ], and ”Invitație la dans” (Invitation to Dance) — on the label ”Să dansăm!” (Let's Dance) [ [r4007066] ].

Eventually, ”Vacanța”, a [a140160] cover, became a hit, being frequently broadcast on Romanian Television and Radio (the original video is now lost).
”Vacanța”, along with ”Vrei, nu vrei”, was later released as a single in 1980 ( [r3381481] ), under the name ”Grupul Vocal Expres” (Expres Vocal Group).

1979–1982 — [a3358756], [a2627598], and [a2627599].

In September 1979, Zoe Câmpeanu left the group due to the demanding choreographies and was replaced by [a2627599].
With this new line-up, starting in September 1979, the group released ”O iubire peste veacuri” (A Love Over Decades), composed by [a1175736]. This song became Trio Expres’ most notable hit, gaining attention even outside Romania and participating in the 1979 Montreux Song Festival.

Around 1980, Trio Expres released their first album, ”Eu am un vis” (I Have a Dream), which featured 10 disco covers of international hits.
The album included covers of [a33202], [a140160], [a180949], [a69866], and [a294661].

Other appearances:

”Zborul din voi” — another hit, composed by [a2171919], appears on [r3518278]. It also has a surviving video in the Romanian Television archive and was used in a commercial for a Bucharest amusement park.

”Iarna” — composed by [a1175736], performed on Romanian Television during ”Revelion 1981” (New Year’s Eve 1980–1981).

”Câte speranțe” — appears on [r7384485].

”Un cântec prin lume” — appears on [r4007088], along with ”O iubire peste veacuri”.

”O rază pe fereastră” — the group’s final performance, during the Melodii-81 song contest, appears on [r3739035].

After achieving massive success in Romania, the group eventually disbanded, as two members chose to pursue solo careers.

Between 1979 and 1982 (and even beyond), Trio Expres was one of — if not the — most popular disco-pop groups in Romania. Besides introducing the disco sound to Romanian audiences, they also brought a new concept to performances: choreography. Trio Expres was the first Romanian group to both sing and dance on stage. Their innovative approach inspired other artists to follow this new “trend,” making Trio Expres a major influence of their time. The group also took part in numerous contests and live shows (many of which remain unrecorded or have since been lost).

The group re-banded in 1983, with only one of the original members, [a3358756] . During 1983-1988, the other two members getting changed with each album released.