Album Review: Donna Summer – Love To Love You Donna
2 min read
American pop star Donna Summer shot to fame in the mid to late 1970s during the disco craze, becoming an icon with songs like Love to Love You Baby and Hot Stuff. A new record – Love To Love You Donna – is being released to celebrate the life and talent of the recent Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee. The record is a 13-track collection of remixed versions of some of Donna’s biggest hits.
Enlisting the remixing talents of artists such as Afrojack (I Feel Love), Hot Chip (Sunset People) and Laidback Luke (MacArthur Park), Love To Love You Donna is a fresh take on some of the biggest hits from Summer’s illustrious career.
As an additional bonus for Donna Summer fans, the record features a previously unreleased collaboration between her and producer Giorgio Moroder, known as La Dolce Vita.
The album begins with an upbeat dance version of the iconic Love To Love You Baby, remixed by Giorgio Moroder and Chris Cox. The result is an entirely re-imagined synth-pop version of the sensual 1975 hit from the album of the same name.
A remix of Dim All The Lights by Duke Dumont follows on, a jazzy dance number with a capella moments showing off Summer’s powerful voice. This track is perfect for the dance floor as Donna repeatedly commands the listener to “Dance your heart away”.
Next up is Frankie Knuckles and Eric Kupper’s remix of the 1979 smash Hot Stuff, the predecessor to Dim All The Lights. The six minute re-vamp gives the song a modern touch with its fast paced electro beats before moving onto Afrojack’s remix of I Feel Love. A high point in the album, these two tracks are full of energy and disco rhythm.
Later on comes Laidback Luke’s remix of the famous MacArthur Park, recorded by Donna in 1978. Sampling the iconic melody, the remix adds heavy dance, House and synth beats to the classic hit before the extended remix of I Feel Love by Benga slows things down slightly.
At the end of the album is the unreleased track La Dolce Vita with Donna’s long-time producer Giorgio Moroder. The song fits in well with the rest of the album, with its upbeat disco and electronic beats. The track is a treat for long term fans who probably never expected to hear another new Donna Summer song.
Love To Love You Donna is a great tribute to the late artist, bringing together modern disco/House party music and classic disco elements. The collection offers a modern twist on Summer’s classic hits, which is a great way to introduce younger listeners to the star’s talents.
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