HOME

Personnel: Stephanie Mills (vocals, background vocals); Ira Siegel, Paul Pesco, Randy Bowland, Kenny Hawkins (guitar); Mark Rivera, Brandon Fields (saxophone); Dan Higgins , Gary Grant, Jerry Hey (horns); Jim Salamone (piano, keyboards, Kurzwell synthesizer, drums, keyboard programming, drum programming); Angela Winbush (piano, synthesizer, drum programming, background vocals); Robert Damper (piano); Curtis Dowd, Jr. (Fender Rhodes piano, synthesizer, bass synthesizer); Kevin Phillips (keyboards, bass synthesizer, drum programming, sampler); Marc Gordon (keyboards, drum programming); Donald Robinson , Bobby Jones , LeMel Humes, Barry J. Eastmond, Eric Rehl (keyboards); Mike Caputy, John "J.R." Robinson , Terry Silverlight, Buddy Williams (drums); Steve Croom (percussion); Diane Garisto, Yogi Lee, Genobia Jeter, Gerald Levert, Stephanie James, Marva King, Alton "Wokie" Stewart, Audrey Wheeler, Take 6, Will Downing, Angel Rogers (background vocals). Audio Mixers: David Bianco; Alan Gregorie; LeMel Humes; Louis Silas, Jr.; Bob Rosa. Audio Remixers: David Bianco; Jeff Lorenzen; Louis Silas, Jr.; Alton "Wokie" Stewart; Timmy Gatling. Recording information: Axis Recording Studio, NY, NY; Baby-O, Los Angeles, CA; Can Am Recorder; Pacifique Recording, N.Hollywood, CA; Sigma Sound Studios, Philadelphia, PA; Trackmaster Recordin, Buffalo, NY; Westlake Audio, Santa Monica, CA. Photographer: Alberto Tolot. Unknown Contributor Role: Jim Salamone. Arrangers: Donald Lawrence ; Donald Robinson ; Kevin Phillips; Mervyn Warren; Nick Martinelli; Angela Winbush; Stephanie Mills. Stephanie Mills' majestic voice warrants quality material and production, and Home meets those terms. The first single, if not a ballad then a quiet storm regular, was "Something in the Way You Make Me Feel." While the single is funky and sleek, Mills sultry delivery gives the track that sexy appeal. It landed at the number one spot on the Billboard R&B charts. The second single was the title track, "Home." Originally featured in the hit Broadway show The Wiz, which Mills starred in for five years, "Home" has a warm, intimate charm. Mills exhibits superb vocality, augmented by a dynamic arrangement and the harmonious background vocals of Take 6. The song is simply chilling. It, too, made its home the top spot on the charts. The third single was the soulfully arranged "Comfort of a Man." Mills ringing vocals carried this single to the Top Ten, where it came to rest at number eight. "Real Love" was the fourth single. It too has that soulful arrangement. It managed only to peak at number 53. However, it's still a beautiful song. The CD features three bonus tracks: "Love Hasn't Been Easy on Me," "I'm More Than a Woman," and an extended version of "Something in the Way You Make Me Feel." The first two are bona fide ballads. ~ Craig Lytle

• Genre: Pop
• Format: CD
• Released: 06/26/1989