Taja Sevelle (September 19, 1987) – Taja Sevelle Album Release USA
Taja Sevelle is the first studio album by Taja Sevelle, and is her only album to feature writing input by Prince. Two of the album’s ten tracks were written or co‑written by Prince, although the album was produced by Minneapolis musician Chico Bennett.
Although Taja Sevelle had signed to Paisley Park Records when it was formed in 1985, she mainly worked with Warner Bros. executives on the album, and Prince’s involvement was minimal. Both songs with his involvement were not initially designed for Taja Sevelle and had been recorded earlier in his career. Wouldn’t You Love To Love Me? was first recorded in 1976–1977 and submitted to Sevelle in late 1986 after Michael Jackson rejected it for Bad. If I Could Get Your Attention was first recorded in May 1986 and tried by Jill Jones.
Track Listing (LP Format )
Side one
• Love Is Contagious
• Wouldn’t You Love To Love Me?
• Popular
• How Could You Do Me So Bad?
• Take Me For A Ride
Side two
• If I Could Get Your Attention
• Infatuation]
• Baby’s Got A Lover
• Mama 16
Fly For Your Painted Rainbow
Total length: 45:26
Album Details
Released: September 19, 1987
Recorded: 1986–1987
Studios: Sunset Sound, Hollywood, CA, USA; The Enterprise, Burbank, CA, USA Length: 45:26
Labels: Paisley Park Records
Producer: Chico Bennett
Packaging
Front cover photography by Bonnie Lewis.
Back cover photography by Jeff Katz (“captured the moment”).
Inner sleeve drawing by Julie Daul (Picasso’s Guru).
Make‑up by Joanne Gair (front cover) and Fritz (“mug paint”, back cover).
Rag arrangement by Michelle Cole;
crop fashions by Todd Reid.
Art direction and design by Jeri M. McManus Heiden.
Reception
The album failed to chart in the USA but reached number 48 in the UK.
Tape Cassette Release (MC)
Side 1
• Love Is Contagious
• Wouldn’t You Love To Love Me?
• Popular
• How Could You Do Me So Bad?
• Take Me For A Ride
Side 2
• If I Could Get Your Attention
• Infatuation
• Baby’s Got A Lover
• Mama 16
• Fly For Your Painted Rainbow
Charts
Chart (1988–1988) — Peak Position
UK Gallup Album Chart — 48
The Netherlands Album Top 100 — 52
CD Release (1987)
• Love Is Contagious
• Wouldn’t You Love To Love Me?
• Popular
• How Could You Do Me So Bad?
• Take Me For A Ride
• If I Could Get Your Attention
• Infatuation
• Baby’s Got A Lover
• Mama 16
• Fly For Your Painted Rainbow
Personnel
Taja Sevelle Lead vocals
Prince All instruments (except where noted), uncredited
Eric Leeds Saxophone on Wouldn’t You Love To Love Me? (uncredited)
Benny Medina Additional vocals on Wouldn’t You Love To Love Me?
Michael “Mo” Austin Additional vocals on Wouldn’t You Love To Love Me?
Greg Porter Guitar on If I Could Get Your Attention
Additional Personnel
Chico Bennett — producer (all tracks); arrangement on If I Could Get Your Attention
Michael “Mi” Austin — executive producer
Benny Medina — executive producer Tommy Vicari — mix engineer (entire album)
Bernie Grundman — mastering
Chris Bellman — mastering Jeri M. McManus Heiden — art direction / design Bonnie Lewis — photography (front cover)
Jeff Katz — photography (back cover) Joanne Gair — make‑up (front cover) Fritz — make‑up (back cover)
Michelle Cole — rag arrangement (back cover)
Todd Reid — crop fashions (back cover) Julie Daul (Picasso’s Guru) — inner sleeve drawing
Cavallo, Ruffalo & Fargnoli — personal management
Technical
Tommy Vicari — mix engineer
Bernie Grundman — mastering
Chris Bellman — mastering
Singles from Taja Sevelle
Wouldn’t You Love To Love Me?
Take Me For A Ride
SOURCES Discogs, 45 World, Wikipedia, BBC Official Charts, Prince Vault, Sleeveographia2
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