1983 Stephanie Mills – Merciless
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.
Stephanie Dorthea Mills (born March 22, 1957) is an American R&B, soul and gospel singer, songwriter and Broadway star. She rose to stardom as “Dorothy” in the original Broadway run of the musical The Wiz from 1975 to 1977. The song “Home” from the show later became a No.1 U.S. R&B hit for Mills and her signature song. In the 1980s she scored five No.1 R&B hits, including “Home”, “I Have Learned to Respect the Power of Love”, “I Feel Good All Over”, “(You’re Puttin’) A Rush on Me” and “Something in the Way (You Make Me Feel)”. Mills’ 1980 song “Never Knew Love Like This Before” won a Grammy Award for best R&B vocal performance.
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
Media
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 (L. A.) – Frank DeCaro
Contractor (N. Y.) – 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, Photography By – Glen Christensen
Artwork, Design – Mac James
Artwork, Design (Reissue) – Roger Williams
Liner Notes – Kevin L. Goins
Photography By (Inner Sleeve) – Bill King
Phonographic Copyright (p) – PolyGram Records
Copyright (c) – SoulMusic Records
Licensed From – Universal Music Operations Ltd.
Marketed By – Cherry Red Records Ltd.
Distributed By – Cherry Red Records Ltd.
Recorded At – Automated Sound Studios
Recorded At – Cherokee Studios
Recorded At – The Hit Factory
Recorded At – Record Plant, Los Angeles