Wonderful (Rick James album) explained

Wonderful
Type:	Album
Artist:	Rick James
Cover:	Rick James - Wonderful album cover.jpg
Released:	July 5, 1988
Recorded:	1987–88
Length:	52:21
Label:	Reprise
Producer:	Rick James
Prev Title:	The Flag
Prev Year:	1986
Next Title:	Kickin'
Next Year:	1989

Wonderful is the 10th studio album by American musician Rick James, released in 1988 via Reprise Records.^{[1] [2]} It includes the hit song "Loosey's Rap", which topped the US R&B Charts.^{[3] [4]}

The album peaked at No. 148 on the Billboard 200.^[5]

Production

James wrote and produced the album.^[6]

Critical reception

The Orlando Sentinel wrote that "despite the dumb lyrics, Wonderful sports some great dance-party music." The Los Angeles Times praised "Loosey's Rap", writing that featured rapper Roxanne Shanté is "tougher than a truckload of leather-wearing Mary Jane Girls, and her B-girl boasting—which she sounds fully capable of backing up—makes her a formidable foil for James and his sly, teasing innuendoes."

Track listing

All tracks composed by Rick James.

1. "Wonderful" – 4:19
2. "Judy" – 4:58
3. "Loosey's Rap" (duet with Roxanne Shanté) – 3:54
4. "So Tight" – 4:28
5. "Sexual Luv Affair" – 5:13
6. "Love's Fire" – 4:43
7. "I Believe in U" – 5:53
8. "In the Girls' Room" – 4:41
9. "Hypnotize" – 4:19
10. "Sherry Baby" – 4:43
11. "Hot Summer Nights" (duet with Chrissi Scinta) – 5:10

Note

• Track 11 available on CD only.

Personnel

Adapted from the album's liner notes.^[7]

• Rick James – lead vocals, backing vocals, bass guitar, drums, percussion, keyboards

Stone City Band:

• Levi Ruffin, Jr. – strings, synthesizer, backing vocals
• Tom McDermott – lead guitar
• William Echols – bass guitar
• Gregory Treadwell – keyboards, strings
• Kenny Hawkins – guitar
• Val Young – backing vocals
• Jackie Ruffin – backing vocals

Other musicians

• Roxanne Shanté – rapping (track 3)
• Chrissi Scinta – vocals (track 11)

Production

• Produced and arranged by Rick James
• Mixing engineers: Rick James, Bruce Kane and Levi Ruffin, Jr.
• Assistant engineer: Michael Nally
• Recorded and mixed at The Joint Studios, Buffalo, New York
• Mastered at Sterling Sound, New York by Jack Skinner
• Album coordinators: Levi Ruffin, Jr and Ann Mabin
• Art Direction and design: Mary Ann "My Thang" Dibs
• Cover concept: Rick James
• Photography: Caroline Greyshock, Stuart Watson
• Executive producer: Benny Medina

Notes and References

1. Web site: Rick James | Biography & History. AllMusic.
2. Web site: Funk. Dave. Thompson. May 14, 2001. Hal Leonard Corporation. Google Books.
3. Web site: Rick James: 10 Essential Tracks. Charles. Aaron. Rolling Stone. August 8, 2014.
4. Web site: The History of Gangster Rap: From Schoolly D to Kendrick Lamar, the Rise of a Great American Art Form. Soren. Baker. October 2, 2018. Abrams. Google Books.
5. Web site: Chart History Rick James . Billboard . 14 May 2021.
6. News: Wilker . Deborah . RICK JAMES STILL HAS TOUCH . Sun Sentinel . 10 July 1988 . 3F.
7. Wonderful. Rick James. 1988. Reprise. liner notes.