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Wednesday, March 18, 2020

I'm crazy about Nancy Martinez or if you love yourself some Nancy Martinez like I love me some Nancy Martinez...

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Born Nancy Catherine Julia Martinez to John and Maureen Martinez from Rosemount, Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Nancy's multi-cultural genes may very well have had an influence on her natural talent. Her father was Spanish and her mother was of Welsh origin.  However, although her aspirations were to follow another career path she began to hone her musical skills early in life. Vocal lessons and luck helped Nancy land many jobs at clubs and parties.  She eventually parlayed her talent into the role of background singer.  In 1980-81 she toured with recording artist Chatelaine ("Take Me") as well as touring and studio work with RenĂ© and Nathalie Simard and disco sensation Kat Mandu ("The Break") to name a few.
It happens all the Time 
It happens all the Time was a release from 1987 on Disconet.


Quebec's very own Nancy Martinez!
Nancy felt uncomfortable about signing as an artist.  However, she agreed to record for producer Domenic Sciullo but refused to use her real name.  Her first solo release was "Can't Believe" credited to Nancy Martin.  The song spread over Canada like wildfire eventually reaching the U.S. where Atlantic Records picked it up for release.  This was her first American hit, but later that year she scored an even bigger success internationally with "I'm Gonna Get Your Love" credited to Jade. Thanks to a Disconet remix (U.S.A.) and versions on Polydor (Canada), Rams Horn (Holland) and Dureco-Benelux (Netherlands) the song became a global sensation. 
1983 gave us several brilliant Nancy releases including So Excited and Take it Slowly both of which were staples at The Saintcant believe and la vie in case the other link dies
Can't Believe 
 Nancy Martin was her first alias but she ended up using a few.  The instrumental  Twelve Inch Vocal  Sizzling Hot White Label Mix
By far the best Nancy Martinez record is Can't Believe.  It's cosmic, it's disco, it's dark, it's just the right groove.  It was in 1982 and it is in 2011 too.  It got picked up by Atlantic in the states and shot up to #5 on the U.S. Disco Charts.
The 1984 release on Matra and J.C. Records Canada was sort of unusual.  It was an attempt to capitalize on the fact that Laid Back's Sunshine Reggae was a huge hit all over the world yet not in North America.  Then they thought to segue into her version of La Vie en Rose.  She is of course fluent in French so why not?  Believe it or not it works though.
 TAKE IT SLOWLY


Jade takes me back to the Frat House in Dupont Circle D.C.
I was a Freshman at University and I was first coming into contact with Hi NRG the clubs.  Nancy's alias as Jade "I'm Gonna Get Your Love" was massive.  It brings me back to such a time of sheer dancing joy.
After a couple years break she went full-stop Freestyle with the massive "Move Out."  MOVE OUT  It hit #12 on the dance charts.
Her biggest hit was the 1986 freestyle smash "For Tonight" though likeable it was a far more commercial sound.  It peaked at #2 on the dance charts.

It's follow-up in 1987 "Can't Wait" took the sound one step further.  I think it's a more hardcore dance record then "For Tonight" was.  Freestyle was still the sound on that one. CAN'T WAIT CAN'T WAIT GIMME YOUR LOVE  
The third hit in a row, Can't Wait hit #17 on the Billboard Dance Charts.

Here's an interview with our diva.
Even now Nancy does jingles.  She's quite happy to be able to work from home.

2001's Italian release For the First Time saw her getting dance-floor action once again.  Her voice is full and soulful.  She really shows on this track that she's a capable vocalist.

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