1985 Eddie Murphy – How Could It Be

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How Could It Be is the debut musical studio album by comedian/actor Eddie Murphy. The album was released on July 20, 1985, on Columbia Records and was produced by Aquil Fudge, with the exception of the hit top ten single “Party All the Time”, which was produced by Rick James. The album was a commercial success, making it to #26 on the Billboard 200 and #17 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums. Two singles were released: “Party All the Time”, which made it to #2 on the Billboard Hot 100 and the title track, which became a minor R&B hit.

Tracks

1  Do I (Stevie Wonder) 4:01
2  C-O-N Confused (Eddie Murphy) 3:55
3  How Could It Be (Frank Hamilton, Rick James, Eddie Murphy) 4:40
4  I Wish (I Could Tell You When) (David Allen Jones, Eddie Murphy) 4:25
5  Party All The Time (Rick James, Eddie Murphy) 4:14
6  I, Me, Us, We (David Allen Jones, Eddie Murphy) 4:41
7  My God Is Color Blind (Eddie Murphy) 4:42
8  Everything\’s Coming Up Roses (Stevie Wonder) 4:35

Media

Musicians

1 Do I

Drums (programming)James Allen
GuitarDavid Williams
KeyboardsGreg Phillinganes
KeyboardsStevie Wonder
SynthesizerGreg Phillinganes
Background VocalsDarryl Phinnessee
Background VocalsHoward Smith
Background VocalsPhilip Williams
VocalsEddie Murphy


2 C-O-N Confused

Background VocalsDarryl Phinnessee
Background VocalsFinis Henderson
Background VocalsKeith John
VocalsEddie Murphy


3 How Could It Be

BassFrank Hamilton
Drums (programming)James Allen
Drums (programming)Roger Nichols
Acoustic GuitarGreg Poree
Acoustic GuitarLarry Menally
KeyboardsFrank Hamilton
PianoDarryl Ross
SynthesizerFrank Hamilton
FlugelhornLarry Gittens
VocalsCrystal Blake
VocalsEddie Murphy


4 I Wish (I Could Tell You When)

BassMike McKinney
Drums (programming)Roger Nichols
Drums (programming)Jeff Lorber
GuitarPaul Pesco
KeyboardsJeff Lorber
HarmonicaStevie Wonder
Background VocalsDarryl Phinnessee
VocalsEddie Murphy


5 Party All The Time

DrumsRick James
GuitarKenny Hawkins
KeyboardsGreg Levias
KeyboardsLevi Ruffin
PercussionRick James
Background VocalsLamorris Payne
Background VocalsLevi Ruffin
VocalsRick James
VocalsEddie Murphy


6 I, Me, Us, We

BassFred Washington
DrumsDennis Davis
Drums (programming)Fred Washington
Drums (programming)Roger Nichols
GuitarBen Bridges
GuitarMichael O\’Neal
KeyboardsBilly Young
SynthesizerBill Wolfer
SynthesizerBilly Young
HornsBob Malach
HornsEarl Gardner
HornsKeith Quinn
PercussionAquil Fudge
Background VocalsAnthony Clark
Background VocalsBruce Hawes
Background VocalsCarlotta Clark
Background VocalsCynthia Green
Background VocalsDarryl Ross
Background VocalsDavid Allen Jones
Background VocalsDerrick Lawrence
Background VocalsDwayne Roberson
Background VocalsJacque M Kimbrough
Background VocalsLarry Gittens
Background VocalsLisa Clark
Background VocalsLorelei McBroom
Background VocalsMichelle Wiley
Background VocalsPaul Freudenberg
Background VocalsPhilip Williams
Background VocalsRoddrick Gordon
Background VocalsRoderick Bascom
Background VocalsSpartacus R
Background VocalsWilliam Rivera
VocalsEddie Murphy


7 My God Is Color Blind

Drums (programming)James Allen
GuitarGordon Banks
PianoEddie Murphy
SynthesizerEddie Murphy
VocalsEddie Murphy


8 Everything\’s Coming Up Roses

DrumsJames Allen
Drums (programming)Stevie Wonder
KeyboardsStevie Wonder
ProgrammingBob Bradlove
Background VocalsBilly Durham
Background VocalsCrystal Blake
Background VocalsDana Essex
Background VocalsDarryl Phinnessee
Background VocalsJoyce Vincent
Background VocalsKeith John
Background VocalsLetitia Body
Background VocalsMelody Mccully
Background VocalsPam Vincent
Background VocalsPhil Perry
VocalsEddie Murphy

Liner Notes

Producer – Aquil Fudge
Producer – Rick James (Track 5)
Producer – Stevie Wonder (Track 8)
Executive-Producer – Larkin Arnold
Arranged By (Rhythm Arrangement) – Stevie Wonder (Track 1)
Arranged By – Aquil Fudge (Track 2)
Arranged By (String Arrangements) – Greg Poree (Track 2)
Arranged By (Vocal Arrangements) – Eddie Murphy (Track 2)
Contractor (String Contractor) – Ernie Fields (Track 2)
Mastered By – Stephen Marcussen
Mixed By – Bob Harlan
Mixed By – Rick James, Tom Flye (Track 5)

Art Direction – Nancy Greenberg
Photography By – Annie Leibovitz

Recorded At – Wonderland Studios, Los Angeles
Recorded At – Joint Recording Studio
Recorded At – Soundworks Studio
Recorded At – Clinton Recording Studio
Recorded At – Power Station
Mixed At – Wonderland Studios, Los Angeles
Mixed At – Joint Recording Studio
Mastered At – Precision Lacquer
Copyright (c) – CBS Inc.
Phonographic Copyright (p) – CBS Inc.