Phylicia Allen - Josephine Superstar mp3 album

A side note: if the face looks familiar, you'll recognize her from The Cosby Show when she appeared under the name Phylicia Rashad as Bill Cosby's on-screen wife.

The name of this album, JOSEPHINE SUPERSTAR, is a tribute album to the famous African-American singer/actress/dancer Josephine Baker who went from a poor girl growing up in St. Louis, Missouri to working in the vaudeville circuit in New York, then onto Paris as the toast of the town with her risque and very controversial acts, and she made a handful of films as well. When she brought her act back to America it failed- she often cited racism as the reason she left America to go to Paris, as well as racism being the reason her act failed here upon her return. There was a 1991 HBO movie starring Lynn Whitfield called THE JOSEPHINE BAKER STORY. The family of Josephine Baker wanted Donna Summer to star in a movie of Josephine's life back in the 70's, but that never materialized, as well as Diana Ross wanting to star in a version in the 80's. Phylicia Allen was married to Victor Willis at the time who was the lead singer of Village People, and he co-wrote 7 of the songs on this album, which is one of the reasons why this was released thru Casablanca Records, but the main reason was because Jacques Morali the french composer and Henri Belolo the producer/arranger (of Village People, The Ritchie Family, Patrick Juvet, etc.) loved the idea of a tribute album to Josephine- which was suggested by Victor and Phylicia. Phylicia's sister Debbie Allen, the singer/dancer/actress, appeared on the 8th Village People album in 1982 called FOX ON THE BOX, doing a female DJ radio voice over on the song FOX ON THE BOX, hence the title. The album was retitled IN THE STREET in 1997 when it was released onto cd. This album was Victor's return to the Village People, which he left in 1979 and went into drug rehab. Unfortunately, he left again in 1983, returned to drugs and released the 1983 dance 12" single PHYSICAL (Olivia Newton-John's hit).... which explains everything.

Not very recognizable as Clair Huxtable of The Cosby Show on the front cover, but on the back cover you'll see it's her. Typical Ritchie Family related music, which i wouldn't rate more than a 4/5. Don't Cry Mommy is even causing an eerie feeling. Around The World, on the other hand, is excellent. The sweetest violins are reminding me of Nature Zone's Porcupine. Great Spanish acoustic guitars at the end. The song would even be better with a long, instead of a short, samba break. Amsterdam and wooden shoes are mentioned. Lots of people around the world can relate to it. Wonderful song, also 5 estrellas for Around The World.

I gave a five stars only for one song : around the world !