Spell is the only album by former Wham! and George Michael bassist, Deon Estus.

Spell
Studio album by
ReleasedMarch 14, 1989 (1989-03-14)
Studio
Genre
Length41:03
Label
Producer
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[1]

The album contained the hit single "Heaven Help Me", which featured background vocals by Michael, and reached number 5 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1989.[2]

Track listing

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  1. "Me or the Rumours" (The Jellybean mix) (Deon Estus, Kenny Young) – 4:05
  2. "Spell" (Estus) – 4:38
  3. "Love Me Over" (Estus) – 4:08
  4. "You're the Only One for Me" (Kevin Calhoun, Matt Noble) – 4:11
  5. "False Start" (Estus) – 4:05
  6. "Heaven Help Me" (Estus, George Michael) – 4:40
  7. "Blue Envelope" (Estus, Young) – 3:38
  8. "Love Can't Wait" (Estus) – 3:56
  9. "Solid Ground" (Estus, Simon Climie) – 4:16
  10. "Me or the Rumours" (The George Michael mix) (Estus, Young) – 3:42

Personnel

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  • Deon Estus – vocals, backing vocals, keyboards (2, 5, 8), bass (5, 6, 8, 9), arrangements (9)
  • Richard Cottle – keyboards (1, 7, 10)
  • George McFarlane – keyboards (1, 5, 7, 8, 10), drum samples (5, 8)
  • Nick Glennie-Smith – keyboards (2, 5, 8), strings (2)
  • Lyndon Connah – keyboards (3)
  • Matt Noble – keyboards (4), guitar (4), arrangements (4)
  • Danny Schogger – keyboards (6)
  • Ricky Peterson – keyboards (9), drums (9)
  • Jim Williams – guitar (1, 10)
  • Hugh Burns – guitar (2, 6)
  • Kevin Calhoun – guitar (4), arrangements (4)
  • Phil Palmer – guitar (7)
  • Levi Seacer, Jr. – guitar (9)
  • Andy Duncan – drum samples (1, 5–8, 10), percussion (1, 7, 10), drum programming (2), drums (3)
  • Jimmy Copley – hi-hats (1, 7, 10)
  • Trevor Murrell – drum and hi-hat overdubs (2)
  • David Z – drums (4, 9), arrangements (4, 9)
  • Steve Sidwell – trumpet (2, 6)
  • Paul Spong – trumpet (2, 6)
  • Rick Taylor – trombone (2)
  • Simon Climie – arrangements (9)
  • Colin Campsie – backing vocals (1, 7)
  • George Michael – backing vocals (6)
  • Ginger Commodore – backing vocals (9)
  • Javetta Steele – backing vocals (9)
  • J.D. Steele – backing vocals (9)
  • Jearlyn Steele – backing vocals (9)

Production

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  • John "Jellybean" Benitez – producer (1)
  • Colin Campsie – producer (1, 5, 7, 8, 10)
  • George McFarlane – producer (1, 5, 7, 8, 10)
  • Deon Estus – producer (2)
  • Chris Porter – producer (2, 3)
  • David Z – producer (4, 9)
  • George Michael – producer (6)
  • Stylorouge – design
  • Mike Prior – photography

Technical

  • Chris Porter – engineer (1, 3, 6, 7), mixing (5, 7, 8)
  • John "Jellybean" Benitez – remixing (1)
  • Chris Ludwinski – engineer (2)
  • Alan Meyerson – remixing (3)
  • David Z – engineer (4, 9), mixing (4, 9)
  • Bill Gill – engineer (5, 8)
  • Simon Sullivan – engineer (10)
  • George Michael – remixing (10)
  • John Palmer – assistant engineer (1, 6, 7), mix assistant (5, 7, 8)
  • Ron DaSilva – remix assistant (3)
  • Tommy Tucker Jr. – assistant engineer (4, 9)
  • Irene Kelly – assistant engineer (5, 8)
  • Kevin White – assistant engineer (10)

Charts

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Weekly chart performance for Spell
Chart (1989) Peak
position
US Billboard 200[3] 89
US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard)[4] 44

References

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  1. ^ Spell at AllMusic
  2. ^ Leszczak, Bob (2016). Dynamic Duets: The Best Pop Collaborations from 1955 to 1999. Rowman & Littlefield Publishers. p. 37.
  3. ^ "Deon Estus Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved May 24, 2024.
  4. ^ "Deon Estus Chart History (Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved May 24, 2024.