1983 Stephanie Mills – Merciless

Buzzy Feiten, Carlos Vega, Ed Greene, Greg Phillinganes, JR Robinson, Lenny Castro, Michael Sembello, Nathan East, Neil Stubenhaus, Richard Tee, Stephanie Mills, Victor Feldman

Merciless is the seventh studio album by American R&B singer Stephanie Mills. It was released in 1983 and Stephanie’s second release on Casablanca Records. The album features two Billboard R&B hits “Pilot Error”, a cover version of Prince’s “How Come U Don’t Call Me Anymore?”, and “My Body” written by singer Luther Vandross. Merciless received a nomination for Best R&B Vocal Performance, Female at the 26th Grammy Awards in 1984.

Tracks

1 How Come U Don’t Call Me Anymore? (Prince) 4:11
2 Never Get Enough Of You (David Wolfert, Henry Gaffney) 4:32
3 Eternal Love (Jay Asher, Paul Jabara) 4:43
4 His Name Is Michael (Cassandra Mills, Michael Sembello, Stephanie Mills) 3:21
5 Here I Am (David Wolfert, Henry Gaffney) 4:17
6 My Body (Luther Vandross) 4:08
7 Do You Love Him? (Barbara Morr, Betsy Durkin Matthes) 3:39
8 Pilot Error (Peter Kingsbery) 3:37
9 Since We’ve Been Together (R Kleinberg, Ralph Schuckert) 3:15

Biography

Stephanie Mills

Musicians

Bass	Nathan East
Bass	Neil Stubenhaus
Bass (synthesizer)	Ed Walsh
Drums	JR Robinson
Drums	Carlos Vega
Drums	Ed Greene
Guitar	Michael Sembello
Guitar	Thom Rotella
Guitar	Carlos Rios
Guitar	Buzz Feiten
Guitar	David Wolfert
Keyboards	Richard Tee
Keyboards	Greg Phillinganes
Synthesizer	Ed Walsh
Synthesizer	Johnny Mandell
Synthesizer	Ian Underwood
Synthesizer	Daniel Sembello
Synthesizer	Nyle Steiner
Percussion	Lenny Castro
Percussion	Victor Feldman
Background Vocals	Peggi Blu
Background Vocals	Lani Groves
Background Vocals	Yvonne Lewis
Background Vocals	Myrna Smith
Background Vocals	Cruz Sembello
Background Vocals	Michael Sembello
Background Vocals	Frank Floyd
Vocals	Stephanie Mills

Liner Notes

Producer – David Wolfert, Gary Klein (Tracks 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
Producer – Phil Ramone (Track 4)
Producer – Stephanie Mills, Brooks Arthur (Track 11)
Producer (Executive) – Charles Koppelman
Arranged By – David Wolfert (Tracks 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
Arranged By – Eddie Karam, Johnny Mandel (Tracks 7)
Arranged By – Trevor Lawrence (Track 11)
Arranged By (Backing Vocals) – David Wolfert, Frank Floyd
Arranged By (Rhythm) – Ralph Schuckett (Tracks 9)
Concept By (Album) – Cassandra Mills, Stephanie Mills
Conductor – David Wolfert (Tracks 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
Contractor (LA) – Frank DeCaro
Contractor (NY) – Phil Medley
Coordinator (Production) – Linda Gerrity
Engineer – Bradshaw Leigh, Brian McGee, Jay Rifkin, John Arrias, Lee DeCarlo, Marie Ostrosky, Peter Chaikin
Mixed By – John Arrias (Tracks 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
Mixed By – Phil Ramone (Track 4)
Mixed By – Bill Schnee (Track 11)

Art Direction – Glen Christensen
Artwork, Design – Mac James
Artwork, Design (Reissue) – Roger Williams
Liner Notes – Kevin L. Goins
Photography – Bill King, Glen Christensen

Recorded At Automated Sound Studios
Recorded At Cherokee Studios
Recorded At The Hit Factory
Recorded At Record Plant, Los Angeles
Phonographic Copyright PolyGram Records
Copyright SoulMusic Records