Sheila E. is the third solo album by Sheila E., released on Paisley Park Records/Warner Bros. Records in 1987.
Two singles were released from the album in the US, "Hold Me" and "Koo Koo", although both failed to make a major impact on the Hot 100. "Love on a Blue Train" was the first single released in Japan. The album is notable for its Latin influence and prominent presence in this hybrid of jazz, rock, funk and salsa.
The album has the earliest recorded appearance of members from the group Tony! Toni! Toné!, who Sheila E. attempted to bring to Paisley Park, but Prince did not sign the group. Almost a decade later, in 1996, Sheila E. appeared on their final album, House of Music.
Critical reception The Rolling Stone Album Guide called the album "flat and mechanical, boasting some rhythmic flash but not enough melody to make it worthwhile."
Track listing
Personnel Sourced from the album liner notes and Duane Tudahl Sheila E. – vocals, percussion Levi Seacer, Jr. – guitar, bass guitar, keyboards, backing vocals Juan Escovedo – percussion Boni Boyer – keyboards, backing vocals Timothy Riley – drums Norbert Stachel – soprano, alto, tenor and baritone saxophones, flute, clarinet Carl Wheeler – keyboards, backing vocals Rafael Wiggins, Jr. – bass guitar, backing vocals Peter Michael Escovedo – percussion Eric Leeds – saxophone Matt Blistan (aka Atlanta Bliss) – trumpet Eddie Minnifield – backing vocals Carlos Rios – guitar Howard Kenney – backing vocals Steph Birnbaum – guitar Prince – backing vocals (1, 5–7, 10), electric guitar (1, 5–7, 10), Ensoniq Mirage (1, 5, 10), Fairlight CMI (1, 5), Yamaha DX7 (6, 7), Oberheim OB-8 (1), piano (5, 7), bass guitar (6, 7, 10), Linn LM-1 (5, 6), LinnDrum (7), drums (5), Simmons SDSV (1, 10), handclaps (10)
Technical Coke Johnson, David Leonard, Peggy McCreary Leonard – recording engineers Jeff DeMorris, Mike Kloster, Steve Himmelfarb, Leslie Ann Jones, Chuck Webb, Thom Kidd, Tom Wright – second engineers Mary Ann Dibs – art direction and design Jeff Katz – photography Chris Bellman – mastering at Bernie Grundman Mastering
Charts +Chart performance for Sheila E. Chart (1987) PeakpositionAustralian Albums (Kent Music Report)88
References