Starchild is the sixth studio album by American R&B singer Teena Marie, released on November 11, 1984, by Epic Records. Following the relative commercial failure of her previous album, Robbery, Starchild became the highest-selling album of Marie's career. It peaked at #9 on the US Black Albums chart and #31 on the Billboard 200. It was certified Gold by the RIAA on April 1, 1985.[4]
Quick Facts Studio album by Teena Marie, Released ...
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The album's success was driven by lead single "Lovergirl" which become a major US hit, reaching #4 on the Billboard Hot 100 and her only top 30 hit on that chart. Marie also received a nomination for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance for the single at the 27th Grammy Awards-her second nomination in that category.
The album was written and produced by Marie, with contributions from Leon Ware and Narada Michael Walden. The track "My Dear Mr. Gaye" is a tribute to Marvin Gaye, who had been fatally shot and killed by his father on April 1, 1984.
It was re-released by SoulMusic Records in 2012 as an Expanded Edition, containing 5 mixes as bonus tracks.
All songs written by Teena Marie, except where noted.
- "Lovergirl" – 4:54
- "Help Youngblood Get to the Freaky Party" (Bendrix, Marie) – 5:44
- "Out on a Limb" – 6:37
- "Alibi" (Marie, Fred Mirza) – 5:23
- "Jammin" – 5:52
- "Starchild" – 5:35
- "We've Got to Stop (Meeting Like This)" (duet with Ronnie McNeir) – 5:07
- "My Dear Mr. Gaye" (Marie, Penny "P.J." Johnson, Leon Ware) – 5:28
- "Light" – 1:17
- Expanded Edition
- "Lovergirl" (US Single Edit) - 3:59
- "Lovergirl" (US Special 12" Dance Mix) - 5:53
- "Lovergirl" (US Single - Instrumental) - 6:10
- "Jammin'" (Dance Mix - Long Version) - 8:20
- "Out on a Limb" (US 12" Single Edit) - 5:31
Credits for Starchild adapted from Allmusic[5]
- Teena Marie – lead vocals, backing vocals (1, 2, 6), pianos, synthesizers, guitars, drums, drum machine programming, percussion, arrangements, rhythm and vocal arrangements, synthesizer arrangements (1, 2, 4, 5, 6), string arrangements (7)
- Walter Afanasieff – synthesizers
- Wyman Brown – synthesizers
- Darren Carmichael – synthesizers
- Randy Kerber – acoustic piano, synthesizers, rhythm and synthesizer arrangements (6), string arrangements (7)
- Fred Mirza – synthesizers, synthesizer arrangements (1, 4), rhythm arrangements (4)
- Dan Radlauer – synthesizers
- Preston Glass – guitars
- Dann Huff – guitars
- Tom McDermott – guitars
- Corrado Rustici – guitars
- David Taylor – guitars
- David T. Walker – guitars
- Nathan East – bass
- James Jamerson, Jr. – bass
- Allen McGrier –bass, male lead vocals (2), drum machine programming (6)
- James Gadson – drums
- John Robinson – drums
- Narada Michael Walden – drums, rhythm arrangements (3)
- Michael White – drums
- Paulinho da Costa – percussion
- Ernie Watts – saxophone solo (8)
- Gene Page – string conductor (7, 8), string arrangements (8)
- Harry Bluestone – concertmaster (7, 8)
- Billy Griffin – backing vocals
- Mickey Hearn – backing vocals
- Penny "PJ" Johnson – backing vocals, vocal arrangements (8)
- Yvette Marine – backing vocals
- Leon Ware – backing vocals
- Julia Waters Tillman – backing vocals
- Maxine Waters Willard – backing vocals
- Ronnie McNeir – male lead vocals (7)
Production
- Larkin Arnold – executive producer
- Teena Marie – producer, cover concept
- Bobby Brooks – engineer (1, 2, 4-9), mixing
- David Frazier – engineer (3)
- Rick Butz – assistant engineer
- Elmer Flores – assistant engineer
- Deni King – assistant engineer
- Richard McKernan – assistant engineer
- Magic Moreno – assistant engineer
- Gary Wagner – assistant engineer
- Bernie Grundman – mastering at Bernie Grundman Mastering (Hollywood, California)
- P.J. – production coordinator, cover concept
- Tony Lane – art direction
- Nancy Donald – art direction
- Ron Slenzak – photography
- Tim Wild – airbrushing
- Renny Roberts – back cover illustration
- The Michael Gardner Company – management
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