Stephanie Mills Albums (17)
What The Critics Say
Nearly a decade since her last album -- though she remained active and became the first (and most likely the last) artist to record with house veterans Masters at Work, gospel stalwart BeBe Winans, and gruff rap MC DMX -- Stephanie Mills resurfaces on her own independent label with a solid album of contemporary R&B, most of which differs thematically (i.e., heartbreak, devotion, romance) from 1995's gospel-oriented Personal Inspirations. Surrounded by associates of Whitney Houston, Faith Evans, and Will Downing, Mills has made an album of mostly subdued and lightly upbeat material that will please her grown-up fan base. Mills is in such fine, with-the-times form that you could be fooled into thinking that she never went away. ~ Andy Kellman, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
A fine holiday package, even a great one for those who enjoy Christmas music. Mills applies her strong voice to the usual package of Christmas carols, hymns, and seasonal songs, doing them with enthusiasm and energy. You've heard it before, but she really puts some soul into her interpretations. ~ Ron Wynn, All Music Guide
'Personal Inspirations'
Release Date 9/6/1994
Tracks 10
Label Gospocentric
See Album Tracklist and Review
What The Critics Say
Mills' final set for MCA is a mixed bag of midtempo ditties and ballads. The singer is in fine vocal shape, but the songs often suffer from numb melodies and meandering arrangements. Dry, overly synthesized outings like "I Found a New Love" and "24-Hour Woman" are heavily produced and caustic, while "Policy of Love" and "Stone Cold Woman" are structured well, but lack any real energy. A couple of meaningful moments are found in the sanguine "Love the Hurt Away" and sullen "Heartache." And the clever backing vocal arrangements (and lush performances) of Company give life to many of the grey spots. Overall, though, Something Real is far from the glory of Mills' best material. ~ Justin M. Kantor, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
Sophisticated, zealous soul balladry. ~ Bil Carpenter, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
Stephanie Mills' majestic voice warrants quality material and production, and Home meets those terms. The first single, if not a ballad then a quiet storm regular, was "Something in the Way You Make Me Feel." While the single is funky and sleek, Mills sultry delivery gives the track that sexy appeal. It landed at the number one spot on the Billboard R&B charts. The second single was the title track, "Home." Originally featured in the hit Broadway show The Wiz, which Mills starred in for five years, "Home" has a warm, intimate charm. Mills exhibits superb vocality, augmented by a dynamic arrangement and the harmonious background vocals of Take 6. The song is simply chilling. It, too, made its home the top spot on the charts. The third single was the soulfully arranged "Comfort of a Man." Mills ringing vocals carried this single to the Top Ten, where it came to rest at number eight. "Real Love" was the fourth single. It too has that soulful arrangement. It managed only to peak at number 53. However, it's still a beautiful song. The CD features three bonus tracks: "Love Hasn't Been Easy on Me," "I'm More Than a Woman," and an extended version of "Something in the Way You Make Me Feel." The first two are bona fide ballads. ~ Craig Lytle, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
Motown attempted to capitalize on some of Mills' late-'70s/early-'80s success for 20th Century Fox with this eight-song set of unreleased vault material. After Mills released For the First Time on Motown in 1975, she recorded a second album for the label that never saw release. Lifting seven songs from that session, as well as "This Empty Place" from For the First Time, the resulting Love Has Lifted Me is a mixed and scattered assortment of generally undirected neo-soul-pop. Compositions by Mike & Brenda Sutton, who recorded in their own right on Sam and Fantasy, boost positive lyrical messages but falter with melodies that don't do them justice. "Simple Masterpiece" actually is cute for its novelty value with Mills doing what seems to be an odd impersonation of Josephine Baker and 1920s blues divas. Equally curious is the Michael L. Smith-penned "I Hope We Don't Run out of Music" with its childlike lyrics and carnival-esque melodies. This collection will be of interest to the Mills completist, especially for its obscurity, but definitely isn't among her strongest work. ~ Justin M. Kantor, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
In 1975, an 18-year-old Stephanie Mills was well known in the theatrical world for her portrayal of Dorothy in the Broadway play The Wiz. But as a recording artist, Mills didn't hit big until she recorded the gold What Cha Gonna Do With My Lovin' (her third album) for 20th Century in 1979. Produced and written by the Burt Bacharach/Hal David team, For the First Time is the only album that Mills recorded for Motown. Contrary to what its album implies, this wasn't her first album -- 1974's Movin' in the Right Direction on ABC was Mills' debut album, and this LP was her sophomore effort. Despite the participation of Bacharach and David, For the First Time received little attention. The producer/composers seemed to envision the artist as another Dionne Warwick, and the result is a very pop-minded album. Mills, however, is more effective as a straight-up R&B singer. While her performances of "I See You for the First Time," "Living on Plastic," and other Bacharach/David tunes are pleasant enough, she is a lot more exciting on subsequent gems like 1979's What Cha Gonna Do With My Lovin', 1980's Sweet Sensation, and 1987's If I Were Your Woman. This isn't a bad record, but it pales in comparison to the releases that came after it. Not recommended to casual listeners, For the First Time is strictly for historians and die-hard collectors. ~ Alex Henderson, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
Some of Stephanie Mills' fans believe that Stephanie was her third album, but it was actually her fifth. Stephanie was her third album for 20th Century as well as her third album to reach gold, not to mention the third album that James Mtume and Reggie Lucas produced for her. And when you consider that her first two LPs -- 1974's Movin' in the Right Direction on ABC and 1975's For the First Time on Motown -- did very little commercially, you can see why some people think that Mills launched her recording career with her commercial breakthrough of 1979, What Cha Gonna Do With My Lovin'. Although not quite as strong as that album or 1980's Sweet Sensation, this is a generally pleasing LP that finds her romantic side prevailing. You won't hear another "Put Your Body in It" on Stephanie; the singer was trying to avoid being categorized as a disco diva, and it's no coincidence that ballads and slow jams are dominant. The track "I Believe in Love Songs" almost sounds like a statement of purpose from Mills, who fared well among quiet storm audiences with sleek offerings like "Magic," "Night Games," and the major hit "Two Hearts" (a duet with Teddy Pendergrass). Stephanie falls short of essential, but even so, it's a nice record to have in your collection. ~ Alex Henderson, All Music Guide
