Romance 1600

Sheila E. | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (July 29, 2008)
• Original Release Date: 2008
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Rhino Encore
• ASIN: B001BPB1G0
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (39 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #137,404 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Sister Fate

2. Dear Michaelangelo

3. A Love Bizarre

4. Toy Box

5. Yellow

6. Romance 1600

7. Merci for the Speed of a Mad Clown in Summer

8. Bedtime Story

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Sheila! Sheila! Sheila E.!, December 14, 1999

By 

"musiquelagroove" (Atlanta,Ga) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Romance 1600 (Audio CD)

! Play Those Drums Ms. E.! She delivers a nasty, sexy, hype and glamorous follow up to her debut album "The Glamorous Life". "Romance 1600" is one her greatest recordings to date. Sheila shares her talented percussion best on tracks such as Sister Fate and Romance 1600. A Love Bizarre is as funky today as it was in 1985. It makes you wanna pull out the old 80's gear and break dance. Bedtime Story is a song that should only be listen to in the company of a romantic friend. Her voice and slow melodic groove prove to be sensual, classy, and unique. If you are a fan of the beatiful E. please make this cd a part of your collection.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars SHEILA E. THE GREAT!, February 13, 2009

By 

Aaliyah Russell (LiLi) (NYC) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Romance 1600 (Audio CD)

Let me start by saying that Sheila E. & Prince played a HUGE part in my childhood in the 80's. My Mother played their albums back to back in rotation, so I got used to both artists very early in life. It's now the new Millennium and I am so honored to possess MY own "In Romance 1600" album, because in my opinion, this is one of the greatest albums ever created by Ms. Escovedo! Sheila shows off her talent for the bongos and drums throughout this album, giving you a front row seat to one of the greatest plays on earth!

»1. Sister Fate - 3:50. "Sister Fate" is like taking an exciting trip through the Congo. This track has blazing bongos, dribbling drums, and a horn that tweaks with pure raw energy. Sheila sings about a nasty rumor that has spread, and states verbatim "I'm gonna leave it up to Sister Fate, destiny, she's the only thing standin' in the way of you and me"...which to me sounds like she is secretly routing on the rumor, hoping the fantasy will soon become reality. This is my 4th favorite song on this album.

»2. Dear Michaelangelo - 4:38. Ranking in as my 3rd favorite song, this track starts out with a dreamy synthesizer, slowly inviting the off-beat 4-step drum-marching method that only Ms. Escovedo can perfect. Also, the horn makes another appearance, this time, suited with brassy sass and class. The song is handled beautifully by her vocals and lyrics, lyrics that tell a noble fairy tale of a gorgeous artist whom enjoys painting and pillow talk.

»3. A Love Bizarre - 12:18. My 2nd favorite song, and it stands out the most in my childhood memories. I heard this song so many times in the mid 80's and I remember, I would always sing along to it, yelling out "A, B, A, B, C, D" in sync with Sheila lol. Prince lends his voice to this track, giving it the grand treatment as usual. This high-style number has a runway-stomp beat and an overall scratchy sound. The horn makes it's 3rd appearance, sounding so snoody, yet so elegant and sophisticated. Usually, when I listen to this song I imagine a warm summers night, in a long stretch limousine, laced with genuine leather exterior and beaming neon side lights, with furs and 3 piece french tailored suits, all guided by "the moon up above" and the flow of expensive Dom Perignon....if only Sheila and Prince had taken the time out to make a music video for this marvelous song, I have a feeling my vision would've developed a possibility.

»4. Toy Box - 5:32. WOOOO!...my #1 absolute favorite track on this album. The stand-off between the bullet-banging drums and the shrill trumpet is mediated by the star-lit keyboard. Sheila's sexually suggestive lyrics give off a cutesy innocence....that is until the end-section, when Sheila can't decide on which fur coat to wear, screaming to the top of her lungs, then grumbling about her Diamonds and s***. This was a "lost" song for me, because basically, I remember hearing this track ONCE in 85', and never heard it again until 2008. I must admit, when I heard this song again in 08' it made me shutter with happiness. The moment I pressed play, the entire song came shooting back to the very core of my brain, instantly flooring me. Maybe it's the recollect of all the fun and zany memories shared with my friends and family back then, and my Mother playing "Toy Box" occasionally. Maybe my equilibrium is undergoing a major mind-scatter. I do know that I am so grateful to have rediscovered this song!

»5. Yellow - 2:11. "Yellow" is a 60's inspired melody, but with an 80's twist. Prince ad-libs in Vs. mode with Sheila, singing on totally opposite spectrum's. They always set the bar when they collaborate on a track together, constantly redefining the term "Perfection."

»6. Romance 1600 - 3:56. Soooo swift, soooo rapid....BEYOND energetic. This song gives you the impression of zooming uncontrollably down a rocky road, with 4 loose wobbly wheels that are ready to detach at any moment. The drums are pounding non stop, and the synthesizer is scaling to new heights. The beat will whip you around and around, rush you down flat on your back, snatch you up from off of the floor, and demand you to DANCE!

»7. Merci For The Speed Of A Mad Clown In Summer - 2:47. This zesty tune is like a jack-in-the-box - in this case, you play it, you sit and listen, you wait.....and wait.....then finally, the surprise appears. The essence of this track reminds me of a circus or parade, with Sheila, Prince AND The Revolution as the main attraction...I'd pay any amount of money to see that show!

»8. Bedtime Story - 3:45. Cozy, graceful, and truly divine, this slow-tempo tune will make you drowsy with pure bliss. The horn plays off of her vocals, together bringing a touch of eroticism. And let me just say that Sheila really shows us fans just how versatile (vocally) she is at attacking a ballad.

When I think of GOOD 80's music, Prince and Sheila quickly come to mind, along with so many others who came roaring through that decade. I often think to myself, and at times when I'm dancing my a** off to their music - "Thank God for Sheila E. and Prince." I am thankful for their contribution in shaping the 80's into what it was and will remain - a bright, sharp, kinky, electric, shocking, exciting, colorful fun loving decade. Both artist's are the epidemy of three words...!!The Nineteen Eighties!!..enough said!

7 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Oh, Shiela, November 2, 2004

By 

C. Odom "music buff" (New York, NY) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Romance 1600 (Audio CD)

This album is pure Prince-esque glory. I already loved Sheila from her first album, which I listned to over and over. When "Romance 1600" came out, I rushed out to buy it. I was not disappointed. "Sister Fate" is a high energy, funky track with Sheila playing some mean drums. "Dear Michaelangleo" is a dreamy, sexy romp that takes her back in time to make love with the great artist. "Love Bizarre", though a great duet with Prince, is WAAAAYYYYY too long. I would have liked to have had the radio edit. "Toy Box" sounds a lot like a song called "Everybody Dance" that was released around the same time by Tamara and the Scene. Fun dance music. "Yellow" is retro-50's sounding track. "Romance 1600" is a great piece of novelty pop. I think Sheila E. is a brilliant musician, but I could live without the instrumental "Clown" that leads in to the sexy ballad that closes the album, "Bedtime Story". I was suprised that her voice could sustain such a hefty ballad, but she does a great job. I highly recommend this album for all Sheila fans.