1983 Michael Sembello – Bossa Nova Hotel

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Bossa Nova Hotel is the debut album of rock singer/guitarist Michael Sembello. The album contained ten tracks including the hit “Maniac” from the motion picture Flashdance, which topped the Billboard Hot 100 in October 1983. The album itself peaked at #80 on the Billboard 200. “Automatic Man” and “Talk” were the other singles released from the album. “Automatic Man” had three other versions released on an LP and 45 single (which were the Extended mix, Instrumental mix and Single Version). The version of “Maniac” that appeared on the soundtrack to Flashdance is different from the one that appears on this album. “Maniac” also had remixed and instrumental versions of the song.

Singer Marilyn Scott covered the song “First Time” on her 1983 album Without Warning.

The album was re-issued in 2007 on CD by Wounded Bird Records.

Tracks

1  Automatic Man (David Batteau; Michael Sembello; Daniel Sembello) 04:13
2  First Time (David Batteau; Michael Sembello; David Freeman) 03:05
3  Cowboy (David Batteau; Michael Sembello; Daniel Sembello) 03:33
4  It’s Over (Michael Sembello; Alfred Rubalcava) 04:55
5  Maniac (Michael Sembello; Dennis Matkosky) 04:23
6  Godzilla (Michael Sembello; Phil Ramone; Daniel Sembello) 03:49
7  Talk (Michael Sembello; Daniel Sembello) 03:23
8  Cadillac (Michael Sembello) 04:12
9  Lay Back (Michael Sembello) 04:04
10  Superman (Michael Sembello) 04:40

Musicians

1 Automatic Man

Bass (synthesizer)Michael Sembello
Bass (synthesizer)Daniel Sembello
DrumsCarlos Vega
GuitarMichael Sembello
PianoDaniel Sembello
SynthesizerMichael Sembello
SynthesizerDaniel Sembello
SynthesizerChris Page
Background VocalsJohn Sembello
VocalsMichael Sembello


2 First Time

BassMichael Sembello
Electric DrumsCarlos Vega
GuitarMichael Sembello
KeyboardsDon Freeman
VocalsMichael Sembello


3 Cowboy

Bass (synthesizer)Daniel Sembello
DrumsVinnie Colaiuta
BanjoLarry McNeely
KeyboardsDaniel Sembello
PianoDaniel Sembello
SynthesizerDaniel Sembello
EffectsChris Page
EffectsGeorge Johnsen
VocalsMichael Sembello


4 It’s Over

Bass (synthesizer)Daniel Sembello
DrumsVinnie Colaiuta
Acoustic GuitarMichael Sembello
MarimbaMichael Sembello
SynthesizerMichael Sembello
SynthesizerDaniel Sembello
PercussionPaulinho Da Costa
VocalsMichael Sembello


5 Maniac

Electric DrumsCarlos Vega
GuitarMichael Sembello
KeyboardsDennis Matkosky
SynthesizerMichael Sembello
SynthesizerDennis Matkosky
CelloDennis Karmazyn
VocalsMichael Sembello


6 Godzilla

Bass (synthesizer)Daniel Sembello
Electric DrumsMichael Sembello
GuitarMichael Sembello
KeyboardsDaniel Sembello
SynthesizerGeorge Duke
MarimbaDaniel Sembello
EffectsChris Page
HornsBill Reichenbach
HornsGary Grant
HornsGary Herbig
HornsJerry Hey
PercussionPaulinho Da Costa
VocalsMichael Sembello


7 Talk

DrumsVinnie Colaiuta
KeyboardsDaniel Sembello
PercussionPaulinho Da Costa
VocalsCruz Sembello
VocalsMichael Sembello


8 Cadillac

BassNathan Watts
Bass (synthesizer)Daniel Sembello
DrumsCarlos Vega
GuitarMichael Sembello
PianoDaniel Sembello
SynthesizerMichael Sembello
SynthesizerDaniel Sembello
Background VocalsCruz Sembello
VocalsMichael Sembello


9 Lay Back

BassNathan Watts
DrumsVinnie Colaiuta
KeyboardsDaniel Sembello
PercussionPaulinho Da Costa
Background VocalsCruz Sembello
VocalsMichael Sembello


10 Superman

BassMichael Sembello
Electric DrumsMichael Sembello
Fender RhodesMichael Sembello
EffectsChris Page
EffectsPhil Ramone
VocalsCruz Sembello
VocalsJohn Sembello
VocalsLeza Miller
VocalsMichael Sembello

Liner Notes

Producer – Phil Ramone (Tracks 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
Producer – Michael Sembello (Track 5)
Coordinator – Jeff Lamont
Arranged By (Strings) – Oscar Castro Neves (Tracks 4, 7, 9)
Arranged By (Strings) – Michael Sembello, Chris Page (Track 10)
Arranged By (Horns) – Chris Page, Michael Sembello (Track 6)
Conductor (Strings) – Oscar Castro Neves (Tracks 4, 7, 9)
Conductor (Strings) – Chris Page (Track 10)
Drum Programming (Simmons Drums) – John Gilston
Edited By – Jay Antista, Roger Nichols
Engineer (Additional) – David Marquette, Geoff Gillette
Engineer (Assistant) – Bill Bottrell, Bino Espinoza, Bryan J. Rusenko, Darwin Foye, Gene Wooley, George Johnsen, Glenn Berkovitz, Jeff Vaughn, Jim Horn, Matt Forger, Mitch Gibson, Peter Kudas, Steve Reynolds
Engineer (Assistant), Edited By (Digital Tape Editors) – Stephen Schmitt
Mastered By, Edited By (Digital Tape Editors) – Bernie Grundman
Mixed By – Tommy Vicari
Programmed By (Stereo Guitar) – Steve Ripley
Programmed By (Synthesizer) – Casey Young, Chris Page, Ian Underwood
Recorded By – Jim Gallagher, Peter Chaikin, Thom Wilson
Technician – Jim McKeever

Art Direction – Richard Seireeni, Simon Levy
Photography By – John Colao

Recorded At – Bossa Nova Hotel
Recorded At – Rumbo Recorders
Recorded At – Soundcastle
Recorded At – Westlake Studios
Recorded At – EFX Studios
Mixed At – Soundcastle
Mixed At – Capitol Studios
Mixed At – Lion Share Recording Studios
Phonographic Copyright (p) – Warner Bros. Records
Copyright (c) – Warner Bros. Records