Jevetta Steele (August 10, 1993) – Here It Is Album

Here It Is is the debut solo album by gospel/pop singer Jevetta Steele (who also sings with The Steeles), and was released in France in May 1991.

The album contained And How and Skip 2 My U My Darling (containing writing and musical input by Prince), as well as Calling You (which had been included in the movie Bagdad Cafe and later gained more attention when George Michael included it on his bestselling Five Live EP).

Prince’s contributions were recorded at distinct times. And How was recorded by Prince in March 1986, but Jevetta Steele’s version was a re‑recording from February 1990. Skip 2 My U My Darling was recorded in December 1990.

Hold Me was first recorded by Prince in December 1990 and was originally considered for Diamonds And Pearls but rejected because of its similarities with the title track. It was offered to Anita Baker but not used. Jevetta Steele recorded her vocal overdubs in 1991. Open Book was recorded in January 1991, intended for Martika’s album Martika’s Kitchen before Jevetta Steele recorded vocals before Summer 1993.

With This Tear, recorded in November 1991, was intended for Jevetta Steele, although it is unclear whether it was meant for a reissue of this album or a separate project. Shortly after the initial recording by Prince, however, the song was offered to Celine Dion for inclusion on her self‑titled album, released later in 1992.

The album was later revamped and released worldwide in 1993. Both of Prince’s songs were removed but replaced by two alternate tracks with Prince input: Hold Me and Open Book. The reasons for the switch are unknown. The 1993 international release was accompanied by a promotional release, Hold Me. The album did not enter the charts.

Personnel

Jevetta Steele   Lead vocals, background vocals

Michael B.   Drums on Hold Me

Sonny T.   Bass guitar on Hold Me

Levi Seacer, Jr.   Guitar on Hold Me; all instruments except where noted on Open Book; keyboards, guitar and drum programming on Skip 2 My U My Darling

Tommy Barbarella   Keyboards on Hold Me

Kathleen Johnson   Backing vocals on Hold Me

Kirk Johnson   Backing vocals on Hold Me; percussion and background vocals on Open Book

Prince   Background vocals on And How (uncredited) and Open Book

Walter Chancellor Jr.   Background vocals and possibly saxophone on Open Book

Fred Steele   Background vocals on And How, Skip 2 My U My Darling, and Open Book

JD Steele   Background vocals on And How, Skip 2 My U My Darling, and Open Book

Jearlyn Steele   Background vocals on And How, Skip 2 My U My Darling, and Open Book

Billy Steele   Background vocals, organ, rap on Skip 2 My U My Darling

Ricky Peterson   All instruments except where noted on And How; keyboards on Skip 2 My U My Darling

St. Paul Peterson   All instruments except where noted on And How; bass guitar and guitar on Skip 2 My U My Darling

Track Listing

1991 French release

Side one

• Say A Little Prayer For You

• Baby, Are You?

• And How — Prince, David Z. Rivkin, Levi Seacer, Jr. — 4:22

• You’re Gonna Love Me

• Here It Is

Side two

• Calling You

• In This Man’s World

• Good Foot

• Skip 2 My U My Darling — Prince, Jevetta Steele, Levi Seacer, Jr. — 4:23

• Where Do We Go From Here?

• Love Will Follow

1993 Worldwide release

Side one

• All In Time

• Hold Me — Prince — 4:37

• Where Do We Go From Here?

• Good Foot

• Calling You

Side two

• Love Is A Losing Game

• Here It Is

• Baby, Are You?

• If You Want My Lovin'

• Open Book — Martika, Levi Seacer, Jr., Prince — 5:09

1993 Japanese release

Side one

• All In Time

• Hold Me — Prince — 4:37

• Where Do We Go From Here?

• Good Foot

• Calling You

Side two

• Love Is A Losing Game

• Here It Is

• Baby, Are You?

• If You Want My Lovin'

• Open Book — Martika, Levi Seacer, Jr., Prince — 5:09

• Say A Little Prayer For You

• Love Will Follow

Technical

Ricky Peterson — producer and mixing engineer (album), arranger on And How Tommy LiPuma — producer (album), executive producer

Prince — producer on Hold Me and Open Book (as Paisley Park), arranger on Skip 2 My U My Darling

Levi Seacer, Jr. — arranger on Skip 2 My U My Darling Tom Tucker — mixing engineer

SOURCES Discogs, 45 World, Wikipedia, BBC Official Charts, Prince Vault, Sleeveographia2

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