Josephine Superstar
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| Josephine Superstar | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Studio album by | |
| Released | August 5, 1978 |
| Studio | Can't Stop Productions, Inc., 65 East 55th Street, New York City |
| Genre | Disco |
| Length | 32:05 |
| Label | Casablanca |
| Producer | |
| Singles from Josephine Superstar | |
| |
Josephine Superstar is a disco concept album by American actress Phylicia Rashad, released by Casablanca Records in 1978.[2][3][4] It is a musical biography, dedicated to Josephine Baker,[5][6] detailing Baker's life as she runs away from home and finds fame and love in St. Louis, Broadway, and eventually Paris.[7] It was performed by Rashad, and produced by Jacques Morali and Henri Belolo.[8]
It was Rashad's only album, and was created during her brief marriage to Village People lead vocalist Victor Willis.[9]
Village People[10] and The Ritchie Family[11] contributed background vocals.
The album was produced by Morali and Benlolo's Can't Stop Productions, Inc. (then located at 65 East 55th Street, New York City) with Sigma Sound Studios.[8]
| External videos | |
|---|---|
 Phylicia Allen: Josephine Superstar, Full Album and Televised Performances (1978) |
Album photography was done by John Galluzzi, who also photographed contemporaneous album covers such as Village People's Macho Man and The Ritchie Family's African Queens.[3]
The prologue states Rashad's intentions for the album:
My name is Phylicia Allen. It gives me great honor to dedicate this album to the first Black female international star, Miss Josephine Baker. May her spirit live forever.[12]
Track listing
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Prologue" | 0:29 |
| 2. | "St. Louis" | 3:48 |
| 3. | "Broadway" | 2:48 |
| 4. | "Star of Paris" | 4:12 |
| 5. | "Around the World" | 4:38 |
| 6. | "Two Loves Have I (J'ai Deux Amours)" | 4:15 |
| 7. | "Josephine Superstar" | 3:20 |
| 8. | "Colors" | 4:05 |
| 9. | "Don't Cry Mommy" | 4:26 |
Release and reception
The album was released on August 5, 1978.[13] It peaked on August 19, 1978 at #28,[13] running for 5 weeks on the Dance Club Songs chart. During its peak day, it was superseded by contemporary chart-toppers such as "Dance (Disco Heat)" by Sylvester (#1), "Boogie Oogie Oogie" by A Taste of Honey (#4), "Last Dance" by Donna Summer (#5), "In The Bush" by Musique (#6), "Miss You" by The Rolling Stones (#8), "American Generation" by The Ritchie Family (#19), and "You Got Me Running" by Lenny Williams (#25).[14]
Personnel
- Phylicia Rashad – lead vocalist
- Jacques Morali – producer; arrangement of rhythm, percussion, and vocals
- Henri Benlolo – executive producer
- Victor Willis – arrangement of vocals
- Alfonso Carey – bass
- Nathaniel "Crocket" Wilke – clavinet
Baker's banana outfit, on which the album cover is based. - Errol "Crusher" Bennett – congas
- Russell Dabney – drums
- Jimmy Lee – lead guitar
- Rodger Lee – rhythm guitar
- Peter Whitehead – percussion
- The Ritchie Family – backing vocals
- Village People – backing vocals
- John Galluzzi – photography
