Jellybean - Wotupski (1984)

John Benitez, better known as Jellybean Benitez or Jellybean (born November 7, 1957) is an American drummer, guitarist, songwriter, DJ, remixer and music producer of Puerto Rican descent. Benitez has produced and remixed for artists such as Madonna, Whitney Houston, Michael Jackson, and the Pointer Sisters.

One of the most influential producers and remixers of dance music, Jellybean Benitez stepped out on his own in 1984 with Wotupski!?! After spinning at some of New York's most legendary clubs like Studio 54, Hurrah, Xenon, and Paradise Garage, he turned his attention to the recording studio. Originally released on EMI America, "Wotupski!" There are several key early 80s electro funk club cuts featured here, including the crossover Top 20 hit "Sidewalk Talk", penned by and featuring co-lead vocals by Madonna, underrated, unlikely covers of "The Mexican" and Cat Stevens' "Dog Was a Doughnut", Compromise (vocals: Vernon Smith) and, the fierce electro epic anthem "Dancing On The Fire" featuring lung-busting vocals by session singer Audrey Wheeler, written and co-produced by electro pioneer John Robie.

 

1. "Compromise"  (vocals: Vernon Smith  - 6:39  

2. "Sidewalk Talk"  (vocals: Madonna)  - 6:06  

3. "Dancing On The Fire"  (vocals: Audrey Wheeler  - 6:30 

4. "Was Dog A Doughnut"  - 7:59  

5. "The Mexican"  - 8:44

Release: 1984

Recorded At:  Sigma Sound Studios

Label:  EMI

Genre:  Electronic, Disco

Length:  35:56

Producer:  John "Jellybean" Benitez

Personnel

Jellybean - Backing Vocals, Noises (Clpas, Dog Bark), Drum Programming

Madonna,  Vernon Jeffrey Smith, Audrey Wheeler, Jenny Haan, Catherine Buchanan   - Vocals

Marcus Miller - Bass

Ira Siegel - Guitar

Nile Rodgers - Guitar

Bashiri Johnson - Percussion

Trevor Gale - Percussion [Simmons Toms]

David Sanborn - Saxophone

Jack Waldman - Synthesizer

John Robie - Synthesizer

Boyd Jarvis - Synthesizer

Stephen Bray - SynthesizerJack Waldman - Synthesizer

Fred Zarr - Drum Programming, Piano, Synthesizer

Ricardo Marrero - Electric Piano [Fender Rhodes]

Cosa Ross - Congas, Bongos

Dan Hartman, Frank Simms, George Simms, Vernon Jeffrey Smith, Audrey Wheeler, Cindy Mizelle, Sandy Barber - Backing Vocals