Merciless (album)

Merciless is the seventh studio album by American R&B singer Stephanie Mills. It was released in 1983 and Stephanie's second release on Casablanca Records. The album features two Billboard R&B hits in "Pilot Error", a cover version of Prince's "How Come U Don't Call Me Anymore?" as well as "My Body" written by singer Luther Vandross. Merciless received a nomination for Best R&B Vocal Performance, Female at the 26th Grammy Awards in 1984.

Track listing

 * 1) "How Come U Don't Call Me Anymore?"  (Prince) - 4:12
 * 2) "Never Get Enough of You"  (David Wolfert, Henry Gaffney) - 4:31
 * 3) "Eternal Love"  (Jay Asher, Paul Jabara) - 4:41
 * 4) "His Name is Michael" (featuring Peggi Blu)  (Cassandra Mills, Michael Sembello, Stephanie Mills) - 3:18
 * 5) "Here I Am"  (David Wolfert, Henry Gaffney) - 4:13
 * 6) "My Body"  (Luther Vandross) - 4:06
 * 7) "Do You Love Him?"  (Barbara Morr, Betsy Durkin Matthes) - 3:47
 * 8) "Pilot Error"  (Peter Kingsbery) - 5:07
 * 9) "Since We've Been Together"  (Ralph Schuckett, Richard Kleinberg) - 3:13


 * track source

Personnel

 * Stephanie Mills – lead and backing vocals
 * Greg Phillinganes – keyboards, acoustic piano
 * Richard Tee – keyboards, acoustic piano
 * Johnny Mandel – synthesizers, arrangements (7)
 * Danny Sembello – synthesizers
 * Nyle Steiner – synthesizers
 * Ian Underwood – synthesizers
 * Ed Walsh – synthesizers
 * Buzz Feiten – guitars
 * Carlos Rios – guitars
 * Thom Rotella - guitars
 * Michael Sembello – guitars, backing vocals
 * David Wolfert – guitars, arrangements (1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 8, 9), BGV arrangements
 * Nathan East – bass
 * Neil Stubenhaus – bass
 * Ed Greene – drums
 * John Robinson - drums
 * Carlos Vega – drums
 * Lenny Castro – percussion
 * Victor Feldman – percussion
 * Eddie Karam – arrangements (7)
 * Ralph Schuckett – rhythm arrangements (9)
 * Frank Floyd – BGV arrangements
 * Peggi Blu – backing vocals
 * Lani Groves – backing vocals
 * Yvonne Lewis – backing vocals
 * Cruz Sembello – backing vocals
 * Myrna Smith – backing vocals

Technical
 * John Arrais – engineer, mixing (1, 2, 3, 5-9), remixing (1, 2, 3, 5-9)
 * Phil Ramone – mixing (4)
 * Peter Chaiken – engineer
 * Lee DeCarlo – engineer
 * Bradshaw Leigh – engineer
 * Brian McGee – engineer
 * Marie Ostrosky – engineer
 * Jay Rifkin – engineer
 * Ted Jensen – mastering at Sterling Sound (New York, NY)

Production
 * Charles Koppleman – executive producer
 * Gary Klein – producer (1, 2, 3, 5-9)
 * David Wolfert – producer (1, 2, 3, 5-9)
 * Phil Ramone – producer (4)
 * Linda Gerrity – production coordinator
 * Glen Christensen – art direction, photography
 * Mac James – artwork, design
 * Bill King – inner sleeve photography
 * Cassandra Mills – cover concept
 * Stephanie Mills – cover concept
 * Frank DeCaro – LA contractor
 * Phil Medley – NY contractor