Passion Play (album)

Passion Play
Studio album by
Teena Marie
Released1994
GenreR&B,[1] blue-eyed soul
LabelSarai[2]
ProducerTeena Marie, Doug Grigsby
Teena Marie chronology
Ivory
(1990) 		Passion Play
(1994) 		La Doña
(2004)
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
The Encyclopedia of Popular Music[3]
MusicHound R&B: The Essential Album Guide[4]
Spin Alternative Record Guide7/10[5]

Passion Play is the tenth album by the American musician Teena Marie, released in 1994.[6][7] The album was produced by Marie and Doug Grigsby.[1][8] She had parted company with Epic Records following disappointing sales of her 1990 album Ivory, and Passion Play was released on her own independent label, Sarai. Without the backing of a major label, the album received only limited distribution, sold modestly, and failed to chart. Marie engaged in legal action related to the album's distribution.[9]

Passion Play contains guest contributions from Lenny Kravitz ("Main Squeeze") and rapper Yo-Yo ("Sweet on You").[2] It also includes a cover of the Linda Jones song "Hypnotized". "Warm as Momma's Oven" was released as a single.[10] Marie supported the album by touring with the Gap Band and Cameo.[11]

  1. ^ a b Carter, Kevin L. (9 Mar 1995). "COMEBACK TOUR FOR TEENA MARIE COMES HERE". The Philadelphia Inquirer. p. E1.
  2. ^ a b Continelli, Louise (July 20, 1994). "TINY TEENA MARIE BRANDISHES A BIG BRAND OF BLUE-EYED SOUL". The Buffalo News. p. B7.
  3. ^ Larkin, Colin (2006). The Encyclopedia of Popular Music. Vol. 5. MUZE. p. 502.
  4. ^ MusicHound R&B: The Essential Album Guide. Visible Ink Press. 1998. p. 374.
  5. ^ Bernstein, Jonathan (1995). "Teena Marie". In Weisbard, Eric; Marks, Craig (eds.). Spin Alternative Record Guide. Vintage Books. pp. 240–241. ISBN 0-679-75574-8.
  6. ^ "Teena Marie Biography, Songs, & Albums". AllMusic.
  7. ^ "Teena Marie". Chicago Reader. January 9, 2003.
  8. ^ "Single Reviews". Billboard. 106 (28): 69. Jul 9, 1994.
  9. ^ Seigal, Buddy (7 June 1996). "Grown-Up Teena Marie Wants to Speak to You". Los Angeles Times. p. F24.
  10. ^ Scott, Jane (June 17, 1994). "ACING THE AGORA". Friday. The Plain Dealer. p. 42.
  11. ^ Kostanczuk, Bob (February 24, 1995). "DANCE-FUNK SET TO SHAKE AT STAR". Post-Tribune. Merrillville. p. D3.