Album of the Day

With a musician father and stints backing artists including George Duke and Marvin Gaye, Sheila Escovedo already had a reputation as a top percussionist when friend Prince helped her land a contract with Warner Bros. As producer, songwriter and instrumentalist, the Purple One’s fingerprints are all over IN THE GLAMOROUS LIFE, but the 1984 solo debut showed Sheila E. was more than ready for the spotlight. The title track was a Top Ten hit as well as its most famous song, but the collection has several other highlights, including follow-up single “The Belle of St. Mark,” “Oliver's House,” and “Shortberry Strawcake,” which earned a Best R&B Instrumental Performance GRAMMY nomination (one of four for the album). Any fan of ‘80s pop-funk should make the Gold-certified IN THE GLAMOROUS LIFE a part of their life.