Teena Marie IRONS IN THE FIRE

Personnel includes: Teena Marie (vocals, arranger, various instruments).
Recorded in 1980.
Personnel: Teena Marie (vocals).
Unknown Contributor Role: Teena Marie.
Arrangers: Ozone Horns; Thomas Bumpass; Paul Riser; Teena Marie.
With her third album, Irons in the Fire, Teena Marie did something that was rare for a female R&B artist -- she handled all of the producing and writing herself. Marie took on a lot of responsibility, and she knew she had done the right thing when the album became both a commercial and artistic triumph. By now, it was common knowledge that Marie was white, something that didn't seem to matter much to the many black R&B fans who bought this recording. Like so much of her work, the irresistible single "I Need Your Lovin'" became a major R&B hit, but didn't do much on pop radio. Interestingly, Marie was having the same problem as Maze & Frankie Beverly in that she could have a gold album without any help from pop audiences. But then, she obviously realized that she didn't need their support in order to be legit. From the seductive "You Make Love Like Springtime" and the sweaty "First Class Love" to the moving title song, everything on this album is a gem. ~ Alex Henderson

• Format: CD
• Genre: R&B