Ingrid Chavez (September 24, 1991) – Ingrid Chavez Album Release USA
Ingrid Chavez is the debut album by poet and singer Ingrid Chavez, released on September 24, 1991 by Paisley Park Records. Although the album is widely known and often referenced as May 19, 1992, it was never officially given a title.
Only Ingrid Chavez's name appears on the album spine, and the handwritten date featured on the artwork led many fans and collectors to incorrectly assume it was the album's title. Chavez later explained that the date represented a journal-entry concept, reflecting the highly personal and diary-like nature of the poetry contained within the project.
The album features significant
contributions from Prince, credited as Paisley Park on several recordings. Five tracks, "Heaven Must Be Near", "Elephant Box", "Slappy Dappy", "Jadestone" and "Whispering Dandelions", received musical and production input from Prince, while "Candle Dance" included Prince on guitar and keyboards. Combining spoken-word poetry, ambient textures, experimental arrangements and intimate lyrical themes, the album remains one of the most unique releases associated with the Paisley Park label.
Track Listing (LP Format)
Side one
• Heaven Must Be Near — Ingrid Chavez, Prince, Levi Seacer Jr. — 7:07
• Hippy Blood — Ingrid Chavez —
• Candle Dance — Ingrid Chavez, Michael Koppelman — 3:43
• Elephant Box — Ingrid Chavez, Prince — 3:51•
Slappy Dappy — Ingrid Chavez, Prince — 4:05
Side two
• Little Mama — Ingrid Chavez —
• Jadestone — Ingrid Chavez, Prince — 0:44
• Wintersong — Ingrid Chavez —
• Spiritual Storm — Ingrid Chavez —
• Sad Puppet Dance — Ingrid Chavez —
• Whispering Dandelions — Ingrid Chavez, Prince — 1:59
Total length: 40:46
Album Details
Released: September 24, 1991
Recorded: December 1987; August 1989; March-April 1991
Studios: Paisley Park Studios, Chanhassen, Minnesota, USA; Larrabee Sound Studios, North Hollywood, California, USA
Length: 40:46
Labels: Paisley Park Records
Producer: Prince (as Paisley Park), Michael Koppelman
Packaging
The album's artwork deliberately avoided presenting a traditional album title. Instead, the handwritten date "May 19, 1992" appeared on the cover, creating the widespread misconception that it was the album's official title. Ingrid Chavez later clarified that the date symbolised a journal entry and was intended to reinforce the deeply personal nature of the poetry contained within the record. The visual presentation complemented the album's intimate and reflective atmosphere, with art direction and design by Deborah Norcross and photography by Mark Abrahams.
Reception
Although the album failed to enter the charts and achieved only modest commercial sales, it developed a reputation among Prince collectors and Paisley Park enthusiasts as a distinctive and highly individual artistic statement. Critics and fans have often noted the unusual combination of spoken-word poetry, atmospheric production and Prince's subtle musical contributions. Over time the album has become appreciated as a unique entry within the extended Paisley Park catalogue.
The album was issued by Paisley Park Records in multiple formats during 1991, including LP, cassette and compact disc editions. Some pressings featured the handwritten date "May 19, 1992" on the disc face or label artwork, contributing to the long-standing misconception that this was the album's title. Despite minor artwork variations between territories and formats, the release remained officially untitled, with Ingrid Chavez's name serving as the sole identifying title on the packaging and spine.
Tape Cassette Release (MC)
Side 1
• Heaven Must Be Near — Ingrid Chavez, Prince, Levi Seacer Jr. — 7:07
• Hippy Blood — Ingrid Chavez —
• Candle Dance — Ingrid Chavez, Michael Koppelman — 3:43
• Elephant Box — Ingrid Chavez, Prince — 3:51
• Slappy Dappy — Ingrid Chavez, Prince — 4:05
Side 2
• Little Mama — Ingrid Chavez —
• Jadestone — Ingrid Chavez, Prince — 0:44
• Wintersong — Ingrid Chavez —
• Spiritual Storm — Ingrid Chavez —
• Sad Puppet Dance — Ingrid Chavez —
• Whispering Dandelions — Ingrid Chavez, Prince — 1:59
CD Release (1991)
• Heaven Must Be Near — 7:07
• Hippy Blood —
• Candle Dance — 3:43
• Elephant Box — 3:51
• Slappy Dappy — 4:05
• Little Mama —
• Jadestone — 0:44
• Wintersong —
• Spiritual Storm —
• Sad Puppet Dance —
• Whispering Dandelions — 1:59
Personnel (Full Track-Specific Credits)
Ingrid Chavez
Vocals
Prince
All instruments on "Heaven Must Be Near", "Elephant Box", "Slappy Dappy", "Jadestone" and "Whispering Dandelions" (uncredited); guitar and keyboards on "Candle Dance" (uncredited)
Levi Seacer Jr.
Unidentified instruments on "Heaven Must Be Near" (uncredited)
Michael Koppelman
All instruments on "Candle Dance" except where noted (uncredited)
Additional Personnel
Femi Jiya – engineer
Sylvia Massy – second engineer
Stephen Marcussen – mastering
Deborah Norcross – art direction and design
Mark Abrahams – photography
Technical
Prince (as Paisley Park) – producer, mixing engineer
Michael Koppelman – producer, engineer, mixing engineer
Stephen Marcussen – mastering
Prince Vault, Discogs, 45cat, Sleevographia2, Wikipedia.
All single artwork, photographs, logos, and original text excerpts remain the property of their respective copyright holders. This entry is a transformative, non-commercial archival summary created for historical documentation and educational reference
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