Though Anita Baker got some airplay out of The Songstress, that promising solo debut didn't bring her financial security. In fact, Baker was earning her living as a legal secretary in her native Detroit when she signed with Elektra in the mid-'80s. Elektra gave her a strong promotional push, and the equally superb Rapture became the megahit that The Songstress should have been. To its credit, Elektra made her a major star by focusing on Baker's strong point -- romantic but gospel-influenced R&B/pop ballads and "slow jams," sometimes with jazz overtones -- and letting her be true to herself. Rapture gave Baker one moving hit after another, including "Sweet Love," "Caught up in the Rapture," "Same Ole Love," and "No One in This World." Praising Baker in a 1986 interview, veteran R&B critic Steve Ivory asserted, "To me, singers like Anita Baker and Frankie Beverly define what R&B or soul music is all about." Indeed, Rapture's tremendous success made it clear that there was still a sizeable market for adult-oriented, more traditional R&B singing. ~ Alex Henderson, All Music Guide
Anita Baker (Vocals), Anita Baker (Vocals (Background)), Anita Baker (Main Performer), Anita Baker (Executive Producer), Vesta Williams (Vocals (Background)), Jimmy Haslip (Bass), Bunny Hull (Vocals (Background)), Alex Brown (Vocals (Background)), Lorenzo Brown (Percussion), Paul Chiten (Synthesizer Overdubs), Paulinho Da Costa (Percussion), Lynn Davis (Vocals (Background)), Barry Diament (Mastering), Vernon D. Fails (Keyboards), Robert Feist (Engineer), Lawrence Fratangelo (Percussion), Sir Gant (Keyboards), Jim Gilstrap (Vocals (Background)), Donald Griffin (Guitar), Bernie Grundman (Mastering), Phillip Ingram (Vocals (Background)), Paul Jackson, Jr. (Guitar (Rhythm)), Natalie Jackson (Vocals (Background)), Randy Kerber (Keyboards), Fred Law (Assistant Engineer), Ricky Lawson (Drums), Arthur Marbury (Drums), Greg Moore (Guitar), Don Myrick (Saxophone), Dean Parks (Guitar), Barney Perkins (Engineer), Barney Perkins (Remixing), Darryl Phinnessee (Vocals (Background)), Michael J. Powell (Guitar), Michael J. Powell (Producer), Michael J. Powell (Finger Snaps), Michael J. Powell (Remixing), Michael J. Powell (Mixing), Tony Ray (Assistant Engineer), John "J.R." Robinson (Drums), Keith Seppanen (Assistant Engineer), Marti Sharron (Producer), Gary Skardina (Producer), Gary Skardina (Engineer), Neil Stubenhaus (Bass), Fred Washington (Bass), David B. Washington (Bass), Warren Woods (Finger Snaps), Carol Friedman (Art Direction), Carol Friedman (Photography), Keith "KC" Cohen (Assistant Engineer), Greg Philinganes (Synthesizer Overdubs), Sue Keston (Design), Freddy Washington (Bass), Lisa Silvestri (Stylist)
