Starchild (Teena Marie album)

Starchild is the sixth album by Teena Marie, released in November 11, 1984 on Epic Records. Following the relative commercial failure of her previous album, Robbery, Starchild became the highest-selling album of Marie's career. It peaked at #9 on the US Black Albums chart and #31 on the Billboard Albums chart. It was certified Gold by the RIAA on April 1, 1985.[3]

Starchild
Studio album by Teena Marie
Released	November 11, 1984
Recorded	1983–84
Genre	R&B soul freestyle
Length	45:36
Label	Epic
Producer	Teena Marie
Teena Marie chronology
Robbery (1983) Starchild (1984) Emerald City (1986)

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
Allmusic	[1]
Robert Christgau	B [2]

The album's success was driven by lead single "Lovergirl" which become a major US hit, reaching #4 on the Billboard Hot 100 and her only top 30 hit on that chart. Marie also received a nomination for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance for the single at the 27th Grammy Awards-her second nomination in that category.

The album was written and produced by Marie, with contributions from Leon Ware and Narada Michael Walden. The track "My Dear Mr. Gaye" is a tribute to Marvin Gaye, who had been fatally shot and killed by his father on April 1, 1984.

It was re-released by SoulMusic Records in 2012 as an Expanded Edition, containing 5 mixes as bonus tracks (see track listing below).

Track listing

All songs written by Teena Marie, except where noted.

1. "Lovergirl" – 4:54
2. "Help Youngblood Get to the Freaky Party" (Bendrix, Marie) – 5:44
3. "Out on a Limb" – 6:37
4. "Alibi" (Marie, Fred Mirza) – 5:23
5. "Jammin" – 5:52
6. "Starchild" – 5:35
7. "We've Got to Stop (Meeting Like This)" (Duet With Ronnie McNeir) – 5:07
8. "My Dear Mr. Gaye" (Marie, Penny "P.J." Johnson, Leon Ware) – 5:28
9. "Light" – 1:17

Expanded Edition

10. "Lovergirl" (US Single Edit) - 3:59
11. "Lovergirl" (US Special 12" Dance Mix) - 5:53
12. "Lovergirl" (US Single - Instrumental) - 6:10
13. "Jammin'" (Dance Mix - Long Version) - 8:20
14. "Out on a Limb" (US 12" Single Edit) - 5:31

Personnel

Credits for Starchild adapted from Allmusic[4]

Walter Afanasieff- synthesizer Larkin Arnold- executive producer Bobby Brooks- engineer, mixing Pattie Brooks- voices Wyman Brown- synthesizer Rick Butz- assistant engineer Darren Carmichael- synthesizer Paulinho Da Costa- percussion Nathan East- bass Elmer Flores- assistant engineer Dave Frazier- engineer James Gadson- drums Preston Glass- guitar Billy Griffin- vocals, background vocals Bernie Grundman- mastering Mickey Hearn- vocals, background vocals, voices Dann Huff- guitar James Jamerson, Jr. - bass Jill Jones- vocals, background vocals Randy Kerber- piano, synthesizer Deni King- assistant engineer

Gary Lane- art direction Teena Marie- arranger, cover art, cover art concept, drum machine, guitar, percussion, piano, producer, programming, synthesizer, vocals, voices Yvette Marine- vocals, background vocals, voices Tom McDermott- guitar Allen McGrier- bass, drum machine, programming, vocals Richard McKernan- assistant engineer Ronnie McNeir- vocals Fred Mirza- synthesizer Moreno- assistant engineer P.J.- cover art concept, background vocals, voices Dan Radlauer- synthesizer John Robinson- drums Corrado Rustici- guitar Ron Slenzak- photography T.O.- voices Dave Taylor- guitar Julia Tillman Waters- vocals, background vocals Gary Wagner- assistant engineer Narada Michael Walden- drums David T. Walker- guitar Leon Ware- vocals, background vocals Ernie Watts- saxophone, soloist Michael White- drums Tim Wild- airbrushing, artwork Maxine Willard Waters- vocals, background vocals

Singles

• "Lovergirl" #4 US Pop Singles/ #9 US Black Singles
• "Jammin'" #81 US Pop Singles/ #45 US Black Singles
• "Out on a Limb" #56 US Black Singles

References

1. Allmusic review
2. Christgau, Robert. "Teena Marie: Starchild > Review". Robert Christgau. Retrieved 2016-10-08.
3. https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/?tab_active=default-award&ar=TEENA+MARIE&ti=STARCHILD
4. http://www.allmusic.com/album/starchild-r12428/credits