Romance 1600 (full title Sheila E. In Romance 1600) is the second album by Sheila E., following her debut album The Glamorous Life.
Credits on the album state that all tracks are produced, written and arranged by Sheila E. (other than A Love Bizarre, which gives Prince co-credit), but in fact seven of the eight tracks were produced, written, and arranged by Prince (with input and help from Sheila E.).
Only one track, Merci For The Speed Of A Mad Clown In Summer, contained no writing input from Prince, although he palys keyboards on it.
This album is the first Sheila E. album (and third album overall, after Prince and the Revolution’s Around The World In A Day and The Family self-titled album) to be released on Paisley Park Records.
Sessions and compiling
The album was recorded in three sets of sessions during days off from the Purple Rain Tour. Dear Michaelangelo, Bedtime Story, Toy Box, Sister Fate and A Love Bizarre were recorded in early January 1985. Romance 1600 and Yellow were recorded in early February 1985.
Fish Fries recorded in early January 1985, was likely also intended for the album, but not included in any known configuration.
Promotion
The album produced three singles, Sister Fate, Bedtime Story (both of which preceded the album) and A Love Bizarre.
It reached number 50 on the Billboard Pop Album Chart and number 12 in the Billboard Soul LP’s chart.
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Personnel
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Musicians
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- Sheila E. - all lead vocals, bass, bongos, congas, drums, guitar, keyboards, percussion (official credits, although much of this was played uncredited by Prince)
- Prince - all instruments (uncredited), except where noted, backing vocals, bass guitar, guitar on A Love Bizarre, bass guitar, guitar on Toy Box, backing vocals on Dear Michaelangelo (uncredited) and Yellow, keyboards on Merci For The Speed Of A Mad Clown In Summer (uncredited)
- Eddie M. - saxophone on Sister Fate, Dear Michaelangelo, A Love Bizarre, Toy Box, Romance 1600, Merci For The Speed Of A Mad Clown In Summer and Bedtime Story, backing vocals on A Love Bizarre and Toy Box
- "John" - horns on Yellow
- "Steve" - horns on Yellow
- "Ron" - horns on Yellow
- "Dick" - horns on Yellow
- "Robert" - horns on Yellow
- "Tim" - horns on Yellow
The following artists got official credit, but their involvement is uncertain on all the tracks :
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Production
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Thanks
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