Pulse is the title of the second solo album from session keyboardist Greg Phillinganes. Released on July 17, 1984, the album included what is perhaps Phillinganes' best-known solo "hit," a cover of Japanese synthpop band Yellow Magic Orchestra's song, "Behind the Mask," with additional lyrics by Michael Jackson. The track "Countdown to Love" was also featured in the 1984 film, Streets of Fire, while both "Playin' with Fire" and "Signals" would later appear in the 1986 film, Touch and Go. In addition, the song "Lazy Nina" was written by Donald Fagen exclusively for Phillinganes, and has never been recorded by Fagen himself. The details of the release are below.
Track listing
"Behind the Mask" (Ryuichi Sakamoto, Chris Mosdell, Michael Jackson) (4:48) "Won't Be Long Now" (Robbie Nevil, Mark Muller (sic)) (5:05) "Playin' With Fire" (Jackie Jackson, Pamela Phillips-Oland, Jack Wargo) (4:46) "I Have Dreamed" (Richard Rodgers, Oscar Hammerstein II) (4:39) "Come As You Are" (Brock Walsh, Nevil) (4:18) "Lazy Nina" (Donald Fagen) (5:25) "Signals" (Richard Page, John Lang, Greg Phillinganes, Nathan East) (5:00) "Countdown To Love" (Kenny Vance, Marty Kupersmith) (2:56) "Shake It" (Anthony Marinelli, Share Stallings, Brian Banks) (6:08)
Personnel
Greg Phillinganes – all lead vocals, backing vocals, and keyboards EXCEPT WHERE NOTED Brian Banks, Anthony Marinelli – all synclavier programming, "special effects"
Additional track-by-track personnel
"Behind the Mask" David Williams – guitars Brian Banks and Anthony Marinelli – synthesizer programming Michael Boddicker – vocoder Howie Rice – clap effects Richard Page – additional backing vocals Rumors have circulated that Michael Jackson himself also performed some backing vocals uncredited Arranger: Michael Jackson Additional Engineering: John Arrias and John Vigran
"Won't Be Long Now" Pointer Sisters – special guest (backing) vocals Robbie Nevil – guitars Paulinho da Costa – percussion Brian Banks and Anthony Marinelli – synthesizer programming Arrangers: Greg Phillinganes and Robbie Nevil
"Playin' With Fire" James Ingram, Howard Hewett, Phillip Ingram – special guest (backing) vocals Carlos Rios – guitar Carlos Vega – drums Bo Tomlyn – synthesizer programming Jerry Hey – horns Michael Boddicker – horn synthesizers Arranger: Jackie Jackson Horn Arrangements: Jackie Jackson and Jerry Hey Engineer: John Vigran Additional Engineering: Gary Skardina, Roger Paglia, Alex Schmoll
"I Have Dreamed" Brian Banks and Anthony Marinelli – synthesizer programming John Robinson – cymbals, hi-hat Arranger: Greg Phillinganes Additional engineering: John Vigran
"Come as You Are" Robbie Nevil – guitar Paulinho da Costa – percussion Julia Tillman, Maxine Willard, and Clydene Jackson – additional backing vocals Associate producers: Brock Walsh, Robbie Nevil Arranger: Robbie Nevil Track engineer: Bert Battaglia
"Lazy Nina" Michael Boddicker – synthesizer programming John Robinson – drums Philip Perry, Maxi Anderson, Darryl Phinnessee, and Gwen Matthews – additional backing vocals Greg Phillinganes, Cherron Taylor-Phillinganes, Shyra Mason, and Howard Dresden – claps Arrangers: Donald Fagen and Greg Phillinganes Additional engineering: Jeremy Smith and John Vigran
"Signals" Bo Tomlyn – synthesizer programming Nathan East – bass Paulinho da Costa – percussion Richard Page, Steve George – additional backing vocals Arranger: Greg Phillinganes
"Countdown to Love" Howie Rice – synthesizer Greg Phillinganes – additional keyboards, synthesizer solo Dennis Herring – guitar Arranger: Howie Rice Additional Engineering: John Arrias and Roger Paglia
"Shake It" Anthony Marinelli and Brian Banks – synthesizers and synthesizer programming Daryl Phinnessee – backing vocals and chants Associate Producers: Anthony Marinelli, Brian Banks Arrangers: Anthony Marinelli, Brian Banks, Greg Phillinganes Engineers: Anthony Marinelli, Brian Banks
Production credits
Producer: Richard Perry
Recording Engineer: Michael Brooks (except where noted above) Assistant Engineers: Greg Holguin, Bob Loftus, and Alex Schmoll Remix Engineers: Bill Schnee, Michael Brooks, John Arrias, and Lew Hahn Mastering: Stephen Marcussen (at Precision Lacquer)