We’re in Love with FIONA
- by Nadine White -
From providing dulcet backing vocals to many a global reggae hit from the likes of Freddie McGregor and Glen Washington, to making one and all swoon and sway in time to her own classic scores such as ‘I’m In Love’ (on 1998s Love Bump Riddim), ‘No More Lonely Nights’ and ‘Nothing Really Matters’ – Fiona Robinson’s voice knows no bounds. She has also done cover versions of some timeless tracks such as Dennis Brown’s ‘If I Follow My Heart’ and ‘You Mean The World To Me’ (a cover of R&B singer Toni Braxton’s standard).
Discovered in her teens by producer Kelvin Simmons, Fiona has been making powerful, conscious music for the better part of 2 decades – though she is, given the magnitude of her talent, relatively unsung, despite past accolades such as ‘Female Vocalist of the Year’(South Florida) and four VP albums to her credit.
A firm favourite amongst real reggae listeners and within the fraternity itself, Ms. Robinson partially credits singer Nadine Sutherland (Action, Last Night Memory) for inspiring her to start pursuing her musical career, though she could actually sing from the age of 3!
It’s been a while since she last released an album, but during her somewhat lengthy hiatus from the limelight, Fiona has never truly stopped working. Having recently worked on various projects with the likes of Hezron and ‘Gully God’ Mavado, as well as balancing motherhood and recently fighting off the ‘flu – this lady’s busy!
Gushing about her 9 year old daughter, Fiona expresses her relief that her child’s choice of music is of a more conscious thread and not reflective of some of the ‘negative’, popular music that influences a lot of young people today.
“There is still good music being recorded but, on the whole, music is not really positive or uplifting. More negative, leaving you with quite a heavy heart. I do get discouraged by the state of music nowadays. Sometimes I have to just switch off the radio.”
With the golden touch that only she could bring to the Lover’s Rock reggae sub-genre, we can keep having her songs on repeat but the world craves more!
Fiona fanatics – far and wide – will be pleased to know that a brand new album is under construction and she is working with a crème de la crème production team! Watch this space.
