Friday, July 4, 2008

Donna Robbins - Donna Robbins (1992)

Here's another case for Consolecharlie - another lady who released one album and apparently vanished without a trace. All I can tell you is that Ms. Robbins released a single entitled "I Don't Wanna Make Love (With Anyone Else But You)" on A&M Records in 1980. She didn't resurface until 1990 (or 1988 depending on the source) with her only song of note, "Treat Me Right". The song was a minor house hit, and it's Italo mix also made some noise overseas. The (cheesy!) video got some play on Muchmusic as well. She released this album two years later on a French-Canadian label. It was co-produced by another Canadian dance diva, Karen Silver. It consists of mostly upbeat house tracks, many of them hip-house thanks to guest rappers. Alas, "Treat Me Right" was not included. Donna has a powerful wail, and the album is a guilty pleasure, but it went largely ignored. If anyone knows what happened to this diva in hiding after this album, please fill us in!

**UPDATE: As I suspected, Consolecharlie found the info I was looking for! Thanks once again. Here is her mini-bio:

"Donna Robbins was born and raised in Buffalo, New York. Initially, Donna’s career began with modeling in which she was very successful, winning the National Photographic Model of the Year in U.S.A., and various other titles. Donna Robbins grew up singing on street corners of Buffalo, N.Y. with a group of local kids that included renowned funk artist Rick James. As time progressed, the latter advised Donna that Canada would be a great place for her to launch a singing career. Driven towards success, she eventually made her way up to Canada, working the club circuit and appearing periodically on television. Slowly but surely Donna Robbins flourished into an exciting singer.

After a short time Donna signed with Sony Monogram records. Donna appeared with stand-up comic Jim Carrey on "CBC Super Special" in Vancouver and was the entertainer for the Miss Gibraltar Pageant on July 3, 1999.

This stunning singer has worked periodically on the Costa del Sol for 5 years before moving on to Asia with the groups Saint O and J'Jazz, performing at many of the Grand Hyatt Hotels. She is an accomplished vocalist who excels at jazz, standards, pop, and Top 40."

Download Donna Robbins

1
You're Just A Wild Thing
2
High On You
3
Take Your Love
4
Just Say The Word
5
Thank You
6
Feel It
7
Get Up
8
Play The Music
9
I'll Come Running
10
Embrace Me (With Your Love)
11
Dance To The Rhythm

10 comments:

  1. You have asked Nast G and so it shall be delivered :D. Here is all the info you need on Donna Robbins. I think I'm gonna download the album, it looks really funky :D

    "Donna Robbins was born and raised in Buffalo, New York. Initially, Donna’s career began with modeling in which she was very successful, winning the National Photographic Model of the Year in U.S.A., and various other titles. Donna Robbins grew up singing on street corners of Buffalo, N.Y. with a group of local kids that included renowned funk artist Rick James. As time progressed, the latter advised Donna that Canada would be a great place for her to launch a singing career. Driven towards success, she eventually made her way up to Canada, working the club circuit and appearing periodically on television. Slowly but surely Donna Robbins flourished into an exciting singer.

    After a short time Donna signed with Sony Monogram records. Donna appeared with stand-up comic Jim Carrey on "CBC Super Special" in Vancouver and was the entertainer for the Miss Gibraltar Pageant on July 3, 1999.

    This stunning singer has worked periodically on the Costa del Sol for 5 years before moving on to Asia with the groups Saint O and J'Jazz, performing at many of the Grand Hyatt Hotels. She is an accomplished vocalist who excels at jazz, standards, pop, and Top 40."

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  2. Thanks!! I knew I could count on you! Where did you find this? I looked everywhere!!

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  3. Actually, I just found it on the Belmont Agency site. How did I miss that the other day when I was searching, considering it's one of the first things listed? LOL

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  4. lol I've done that so many times I've lost count lol :)

    I was expecting to go through like hundreds of pages before I found her, instead Page 1, found her lol.

    Why can't they all be that easy? :D

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  5. ... FYI-ALL!!! I interviewed Donna for "Billboard Magazine" in 1983 here in Bflo., NY. Working 15-yrs. for BB in L.A., Vegas-&-thee Bflo./Rochester, NY markets, I never met a more approachable, talented lady. She workedmany yrs. in Canada before making-a-splash in Asia-&-the Middle East. Like myself, 35+ yrs. as an award-winning/print-journalist in the mainstream-&-gay media on both coasts - as well as two of L.A.'s premiere PR agencies - we're BOTH gonna be "overnight senations!" I was just named to "Who's Who in America - in the Media" for a 3rd. consecutive yr. & my 1st. book about my career reviewing/interviewing stars & celebs in Hollywood-&-Vegas, etc., is with my last L.A. PR firm being shopped-around-the West Coast to publishers & major movie studios! STAY-TUNED!!!

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  6. It's very nice to see that Donna is still singing, she sent me a post card from asia quite a few years ago. I used to sing with her and another female by the name of Lillie (Cobbs)Vincent and i,m Deanna(Sims)Clark in the early 70's the group was named The Illuminations and she was a very talented singer then. I really wish the best for her and maybe one day she will come back home to Buffalo and visit.

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  7. I toured with Donna in Western Canada in the Summer of 1988 with a short-lived and dysfunctional (aren't they all) band called Foxfire. Was talking about those days with a friend and decided to google her, found this site. I hope she is doing well wherever she is, love ya girl !

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  8. She's a great woman! Used to work with her many years ago in Canada. Think about her often.

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  9. I worked with Donna in Canada with The Robbie Rae Band...late 80's I think. Hope you're doing well Donna...Jake.

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  10. Donna Robbins is amazing did makeup and costumes for one of her videos. Meet Donna in Toronto Canada 🇨🇦when she was performing at Stop 33 Sutun Place Hotel. She's friends with my roommate John Weber also......miss You Donna.

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