Brenda Mitchell
Brenda Mitchell is an American soul and R&B singer, songwriter, and choir director known for her work as a solo artist and a sought-after background vocalist for major industry icons.
Mitchell achieved recognition with R&B chart hits, including "Good Old Fashioned Lovin'" (1975) on Playboy Records and "Watch My Body Talk" (1984) on Private-I Records.
She has provided background vocals for legendary artists such as Ray Charles, Diana Ross, Stevie Wonder, Mavis Staples, and Graham Nash.
Her compositions have been recorded by a wide array of stars, including Aretha Franklin, Prince, Gladys Knight, the Staples Singers, and Bobby Womack.
In 2000, she released the solo album Startin' Over. She also wrote and starred in a one-woman musical theatre production titled Grace, which premiered in Los Angeles in 2010.
Don’t You Know
Written-By – Eddie John, Erma Reese 7:39
A2 I'm Running
Written-By – Carlene MacLinen, Dan Japlin, Jean-Marc Willa-Roza 5:34
A3 Don't You Know
Written-By – Carlene MacLinen, Dan Japlin, Jean-Marc Willa-Roza 4:08
B1 Get It Together
Written-By – Vladimir Cosma 6:41
B2 I Just Ask Me When
Written-By – Arthur Young 3:46
B3 Passing Dreams
Written-By – Frank Abel 4:26
B4 Honey Child
Written-By – Arthur Young 3:40
Label: Barclay – 90050
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: Canada
Released: 1978
Genre: R&B Soul. Disco
Style: Disco, Dance
Brenda Mitchell's 1978 disco and R&B album Don't You Know is a minor classic in disco circles, primarily appreciated for its strong production, infectious grooves, and dancefloor appeal.
While professional, in-depth critic reviews from its initial release are scarce in the available records, the album is highly regarded by soul and funk enthusiasts for specific standout tracks.
The album receives generally positive, albeit limited, user ratings on platforms like Discogs, with an average of 3 out of 5 stars from a small number of ratings.
It is considered a niche, but valuable, piece of 70s funk and disco. The production was handled by French producer Pierre Jaubert.
The record is fundamentally about the beat and the groove, which is characteristic of the best disco music where production often took precedence over the artist.
Some listeners have noted that specific tracks, like the title track, sound remarkably modern and innovative for a 1970s release.