| Birth Name(s): Alfredo "Fred-Nice" Cardona / Angel Luis Mena |
| Born: N/A |
| Origin: USA |
| Occupation: Singer/Songwriter |
| Genre(s): Freestyle, Electronica, Urban Pop, Dance, Breakbeat, Drum & Bass |
| Instrument(s): Singing |
| Record Label: Independent |
Vocal Image is a freestyle group based out of Hartford, CT. They have been recording freestyle music since 1995 and have had various levels of success with their releases. Considered New England's premiere freestyle group, they are also gaining national popularity and recognition in the freestyle circuit.
Vocal Image © is New England's premiere freestyle group.
It was a group formed in the early part of 1993 under the vision and guidance of founding member, Fred-Nice. V.I. started out as a duo with former member June-Love. Fred and June proceeded to record "Do You Believe in Me?" with Philip Andreula of George Lamond fame. In 1994, a licensing agreement with than superstar label, Viper Records, enabled V.I. to showcase their talents on a national level.
The group garnered much local and national success in the freestyle market and started to develop a following for their music. The follow-up to "Do You Believe..." was never released as scheduled. In the later part of 1994, June-Love left the group for personal reasons and Fred was left behind to pick up the pieces of his now crumbling dream. Enter Angel Mena and Julio Mena, brothers from the now defunct group, T.A.O. (Tazmania Records - Fly as can be!) T.A.O. had just recently released a track with Tazmania records but the group itself had its moment of disagreement. The combination of Fred and the Mena Brothers proved to be the missing ingredient for the successful voyage they were about to embark on. V.I. tried to join the Tazmania Records family because at the time, Tazmania was releasing more freestyle records than any other label. For whatever reason, Tazmania declined to sign V.I. but instead directed them to a new label owner named Willie Valentin. Willie Valentin heard the demo, decided to remix it, released it on his Parade series, and the rest is history. Through Artistik Records, the world got to listen and appreciate the abilities of a group that just happen to miss the height of freestyle by a few years. There is no question in our minds that if V.I. had come out in the late 80s or early 90s, the group would have enjoyed much more mainstream success. Alas, it is what it is and we try our hardest to appeal to the masses.
The group is blessed with an incredible range of vocal ability and a hypnotizing harmony sound. Vocal Image's blend of smooth and pleasant vocals is complimented with powerful vibrato and controlled inflexions. From freestyle ballads to uplifting hard-hitting dance shakers, V.I. does it all with class, flair, humility, and an understanding that without the fans, they would be just another waste of talent. At the present time, Vocal Image is composed of Fred-Nice and Angel Mena. Julio Mena is pursuing an R & B career and with his ability and persistence, we can see him succeeding.