CD Review:
Coming out from under her father's wing, Sheila E. left his latin jazz fusion band Azteca to strike out on her own. Prince came along and saw her talent and recorded the song "Erotic City" with her and having her play percussion for the release of his Around The World In A Day album. Splitting her duties between her percussion work with Prince and her solo career, Sheila had her days quite filled. She stayed with Prince working on most of his albums released in the mid to late 80's finally parting ways after Graffiti Bridge in 1990. During that time, Prince spoke with some people at Warner who then signed Sheila for her release of The Glamorous Life, her first album.

You will see Prince's influence on this album as he produced it. Sheila wrote the songs, sang and you will here what made Prince notice her in the first place, that is her drums and percussion talent. In her writing she is competent, as for her vocals, they are just average as her range is limited. But if you decide to pick this album up you will she that as a drummer she is outstanding.

Leading the way on this album is the smash hit "The Glamorous Life" a top R&B single, that is quite catchy. It describes a woman who will do anything to attract a rich man so she can lead a glamorous lifestyle. Following a close second is the latin influenced "The Belle Of St. Mark" which a nice song about the love for a man in who walks the streets of St. Mark. The funky instrumental "Shortberry Strawcake" show more of Prince's influence and you will see her talent as a percussionist. "Noon Rendezvous" is a slow song that aches with sensuality and is her best vocal song.

Overall, this is Sheila E.'s best release. She takes over more of the reigns in her next release and it suffers for it. She also tries to be more vocally funky which also reveals her lack of vocal range to the detriment of the sound of the album. So if you wish to try her out The Glamorous Life is your best bet.

FS Staff