Mica Paris (October 15, 1990) – Contribution Album UK: LP/CD/MC
Contribution is the second studio album by British soul singer Mica Paris and was released in the United Kingdom on October 15, 1990. The album was subsequently issued in the United States on February 19, 1991.
The album is of particular interest to Prince collectors as it contains If I Love U 2 Nite, a song written by Prince. It marked one of several occasions during this period where Prince's compositions were recorded by artists outside of his own catalogue.
RECORDING
Prince first met Mica Paris during the Lovesexy Tour in 1988 when she attended the aftershow at Camden Palace in London on July 26, 1988.
Following that meeting, Prince promised to provide material for her next album and later sent a cassette containing four songs for consideration. Paris selected only If I Love U 2 Nite for inclusion on the album, while the identities of the remaining songs have not been publicly disclosed.
The track was completely re-recorded by Mica Paris and her musicians rather than using Prince's original recording. Prince would later revisit the composition and work on a different version with Mayte.
STYLE & THEMES
Contribution blends contemporary soul, R&B and pop influences with sophisticated production and strong vocal performances from Mica Paris.
The album combines personal ballads, socially conscious material and polished contemporary soul arrangements. The inclusion of If I Love U 2 Nite connected the project to the wider Prince universe while maintaining the musical identity established by Paris on her earlier recordings.
TRACK-BY-TRACK NOTES
• Contribution — Title track and one of three singles released from the album.
• South Of The River — Released as a single in support of the album.
• If I Love U 2 Nite — Prince composition selected by Mica Paris from a cassette of songs supplied by Prince.
• Just To Be With You — Album track.
• Take Me Away — Album track.
• Truth And Honesty — Album track.
• Deep Afrika — Short interlude-style recording.
• More Love — Album track.
• You Can Make A Wish — Album track.
• Just Make Me The One — Album track.
• I Can't Stop Loving You — Album track.
• I've Been Watching You — Album track.
• Who Can We Blame — Album track.
• One World — Closing track.
RELEASE HISTORY
Originally released in the United Kingdom on October 15, 1990 through Island Records.
Released in the United States on February 19, 1991, the same day as Eric Leeds' Times Squared, another release featuring musical connections to Prince.
CHARTS & CERTIFICATIONS
AMERICA
• USA Billboard R&B Albums Chart: No. 58
EUROPE
• UK Gallup Album Chart: No. 26
CERTIFICATIONS
• United Kingdom (BPI): Silver (60,000 copies shipped)
AWARDS
• No USA awards listed.
PERSONNEL
Mica Paris — vocals, backing vocals
Camus Mare Celli — drum programming
Andres Levin — drum programming
Nile Rodgers — guitar
Chris Parks — guitar
Paul Pesco — guitar
Carl Carter — bass guitar
Deon Estus — bass guitar
Andy Hess — bass guitar
K.C. Filson — keyboards
Eric Codee — keyboards
Danny Wilensky — tenor and alto saxophone
Chris Botti — trumpet and flugelhorn
Birch Johnson — trombone
Cindy Mizelle — backing vocals
Fonzi Thornton — backing vocals
Dennis Collins — backing vocals
Marga Roman — backing vocals
Tracey Amos — backing vocals
Will Downing — backing vocals
Craig Derry — backing vocals
Michelle Cobbs — backing vocals
Alisha Warren — backing vocals
Marque Gilmore — percussion
Siro Baptista — percussion
Miguel Valdez — percussion
PRODUCTION
Produced by Andres Levin
Produced by Camus Mare Celli
Co-Produced by Mica Paris
Engineered by George Karras
Photography by Michel Comte
Design by Michael Nash Assoc.
Label: Island Records
Catalogue Number: —
Barcode: —
Recorded At: Studio information needed
NOTES
• Second studio album by Mica Paris.
• Released in the UK on October 15, 1990.
• Released in the USA on February 19, 1991.
• Contains the Prince composition If I Love U 2 Nite.
• Prince supplied a cassette containing four songs for consideration.
• Mica Paris selected only If I Love U 2 Nite for recording.
• The song was completely re-recorded by Paris and her own musicians.
• Produced three singles: Contribution, South Of The River and If I Love U 2 Nite.
• Certified Silver in the UK.
• The album reached No. 26 on the UK Gallup Album Chart.
• The album reached No. 58 on the Billboard R&B Albums Chart.
RELEASE VARIANTS TABLE
Artist | Title | Label | Country | Cat No. | Date | Format |
Mica Paris | Contribution | Island Records | UK | — | October 15, 1990 | LP / MC / CD |
Mica Paris | Contribution | Island Records | USA | — | February 19, 1991 | LP / MC / CD |
TRACKLIST TABLE
Format | Catalogue | Tracklisting |
CD | — | Contribution • South Of The River • If I Love U 2 Nite • Just To Be With You • Take Me Away • Truth And Honesty • Deep Afrika • More Love • You Can Make A Wish • Just Make Me The One • I Can't Stop Loving You • I've Been Watching You • Who Can We Blame • One World |
LP / MC | — | Side One: Contribution • South Of The River • If I Love U 2 Nite • Just To Be With You • Take Me Away • Truth And Honesty • Deep Afrika Side Two: More Love • You Can Make A Wish • Just Make Me The One • I Can't Stop Loving You • I've Been Watching You • Who Can We Blame • One World |
SOURCES Prince Vault, Discogs, sleevographia2.
All single artwork, photographs, labels, 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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