Top tracks — play these first
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Sex Cymbal — The title track encapsulates the album’s energetic spirit with its infectious groove and showcases Sheila's powerful vocal delivery against a backdrop of intricate percussion.
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Funky Attitude — This track exemplifies Sheila E.'s knack for fusing funk with playful lyrics, creating an inviting danceable atmosphere that reflects her vibrant personality.
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Loverboy — With its catchy hooks and rhythmic complexity, 'Loverboy' highlights both Sheila's vocal range and her skill as a percussionist, making it stand out on the album.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album blends funk and Latin rhythms with dynamic percussion but lacks consistency in songwriting quality.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a title track that features a strong, syncopated rhythm and layered percussion, setting a vibrant tone.
- Several tracks incorporate call-and-response vocal patterns, enhancing the interactive feel of the music.
- The inclusion of a drum solo in '808 Kate' serves as a showcase for Sheila E.'s percussion skills, breaking up the flow of traditional song structures.
- The final track, 'Heaven', shifts to a slower tempo, providing a contrast to the energetic preceding songs.
- Composition 25% of the score
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6/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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7/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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5/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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6/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- steady rhythmic journeys
- invigorating dance vibes
- dynamic percussion focus
- uplifting party atmosphere
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Sex Cymbal marked Sheila E.'s return to the music scene after a notable hiatus following her earlier success in the 1980s. This album came during a transitional phase in her career, where she aimed to redefine her sound and artistic identity after being closely associated with Prince's musical legacy.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Prince· Carlos Santana· Chaka Khan
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Sex Cymbal 4:26
- 2 Funky Attitude 5:11
- 3 Cry Baby 5:44
- 4 Lady Marmalade 5:04
- 5 808 Kate (Drum Solo) 1:00
- 6 Loverboy 4:03
- 7 Mother Mary 5:23
- 8 Droppin' Like Flies 5:26
- 9 What'cha Gonna Do 4:40
- 10 Private Party (Tu Para Mi) 4:39
- 11 Family Affair (Percussion Jam) 1:00
- 12 Promise Me Love 5:37
- 13 Heaven 4:35
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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