Stephanie Mills - Jesse 1987

From the "If I Were Your Woman" Album 1987

__________


Stephanie Mills first came to fame as "the little girl with the big voice" as the star of the hit Broadway play, The Wiz, an adaptation of L. Frank Baum's classic book, The Wizard Of Oz. She had many R&B hits such as "I Have Learned to Respect the Power of Love," "I Feel Good All Over," "(You're Puttin') A Rush On Me," "Something in the Way (You Make Me Feel)" and "Home" along with one certified million selling single, "Never Knew Love Like This Before." In addition, she also had five gold albums: Whatcha Gonna Do With My Lovin', Sweet Sensation, Stephanie, If I Were Your Woman and Home.


Philly-based producer Nick Martinelli gave Mills her second #1 R&B hit with "I Feel Good All Over," written by husband and wife songwriting duo, Gabriel Hardeman and Annette Hardeman. The song held the #1 R&B spot for three weeks in spring 1987. Originally submitted to Mills' fellow MCA labelmate Patti Labelle by the Hardemans, the track was included on Mills' LP If I Were Your Woman, issued June 1987 and peaked at #30 Pop in summer 1987. Paul Laurence produced and co-wrote with Timmy Allen the chugging '"(You're Putting) a Rush On Me" giving the singer her third #1 R&B hit in fall 1987. The single made it to #85 Pop and was followed by "Secret Lady," which landed at #7 R&B in late 1987. Her covers of "If I Were Your Woman" and "Where Is The Love" followed. All were included on her If I Were Your Woman album, which peaked at #1 R&B, #30 Pop in summer 1987. Following these hits, Mills contacted Ronald Isley about working with singer/songwriter/producer Angela Winbush who had hits as half of Rene and Angela and was forging a hit-filled career as a recording artist and producer for the group Body among others. The collaboration between Mills and Winbush resulted in another #1 R&B single, "Something In The Way You Make Me Feel," in summer 1989.

Having starred for five years in the smash Broadway show The Wiz and recorded the song "Home for the play's 1975 original cast soundtrack album, she wanted to record the song again as a posthumous tribute to the play's producer, Ken Harper, and the song's composer, Charlie Smalls. On her new version of "Home," Take 6 sung the background vocals. The song went to #1 R&B in late 1989 and was followed by "Comfort Of A Man" and "Real Love." The Home LP ended up peaking at #5 R&B, #82 Pop in summer 1989. She then recorded a charting single with J.T. Taylor titled "Heart To Heart" in late 1991. Her final MCA album, Something Real included the hit "All Day All Night" and "Never Do Wrong." Following this album, she recorded a gospel album, Personal Inspirations, for Interscope Records and recorded several tracks at Philadelphia International Records with Bunny Sigler among others in the late '90s.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• StephanieMills
• Stephanie
• Mils
• TeddyPendergrass
• Mtume
• Lucas
• NickMartinelli
• Home
• PaulLaurence
• 80's
• Soul
• R&B
• ArchieGe

[robertsc24]

I love you Archiegee! First with surface all i want is you now this rare song. Thank You! I was looking for this everywhere. You made my day.

[ArchieGe]

Glad to be of help :)

[BabyboyDet]

Senior year of high school, I used to play this album and Jody Watley's first album to death!!!

[k4jesus]

This has always been a favorite of mine by her. A true classic :)

[Chynki127]

i was 5yrs old when this song came out..... i heard it again when i was 19. my favorite part is when the guy say "LETS MAKE LOVE IN THE DARK" if that's what he say. LML..

[DESILAS38127]

I like listening to this song and have it on my ipod. Kinda shame when others hear me listening to it because I am a man. But Stephanie is an excellent singer, and I love all of her music.......

[greggy757]

Love it. Thanks!!!

[TheHawkster2012]

I was 20yrs old when this album came out....they just dont make music like this anymore Thx ArchieGe

[1031Fannie]

I was on my way to pittsburgh Pa in 1989 when i first heard this song. My cousin played this song the whole entire time for six hours on the way down. Love the melody to this song.

[TheGemini90]

SUCH a great find! love this one!

[april2026]

@ArchieGe

I'm going to have to look Alex Brown up! Thanks, Arch!!!

[april2026]

@cnote4461

Wait a minute!! Are you talking about Kashif who sings, "Are You The Woman?"??? Thank you cnote!!!



[ArchieGe]

@cnote4461

Hi Cnote & April

the male backgroundsinger on Jesse is Alex Brown

the song was produced by Robert Brookins

Kashif has toured with Stephanie Mills before starting his production work with Mighty M production a collaboration with Morrie Brown and Paul Laurence

This production works spawned hits 4 Evelyn King Melba Moore and others

but i can't recall Kashif producing for Stephanie Mills

Paul Laurence later on did produce the song you're putting a rush on me on this 1987 album

[cnote4461]

@april2026 : Hello April - I know this is late but the man singing that part you asked about is singer/writer& producer Kashif. He produced tunes for Melba Moore and Lillo Thomas. Hey may have produced this track as well - not sure though. But thats who it is.