Spell (album)

This article is about the Deon Estus album. For similar uses, see Spell § Albums.

Spell
Studio album by Deon Estus
Released	March 14, 1989 (1989-03-14)
Studio	Maison Rouge, Mayfair Studios, Eel Pie Studios and Eden Studios (London, UK) Metro Studios (Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA) Sigma Sound Studios (New York City, New York, USA) Image Recording Studios (Los Angeles, California, USA)
Genre	Pop rock R&B
Length	41:03
Label	Mika PolyGram
Producer	Colin Campsie George McFarlane John "Jellybean" Benitez Chris Porter Deon Estus David Z George Michael

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic	[1]

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

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

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

• 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

• 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

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

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.