- Sexy Nude Cover
Sheryl Lee Ralph an American singer, actress, and activist, best known for her roles in the films "To Sleep with Anger" and "Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit," and her Tony-nominated performance in the Broadway musical "Dreamgirls." She has also released several albums as a singer, This web-page has hi-res photos of "Sheryl Lee Ralph" the album covers, record label and a detailed description.
When Sheryl Lee Ralph's You're So Romantic / Too Hot 12" EP hit the scene in 1984, it was more than just a slab of vinyl—it was a bold statement, a delirious cocktail of soul, funk, and disco wrapped in one of the most provocative sleeves to hit record stores. This record is a flashpoint where the end of disco's reign, the rise of post-disco, and the unyielding fire of R&B crossed paths in a neon-lit, sweaty dance floor frenzy. But let’s not get ahead of ourselves—the story starts with Ralph herself, a bona fide force of nature.
A Brief Background
Sheryl Lee Ralph was an actress and singer, not exactly a household name in the music world in the early '80s, but definitely a face and voice you couldn’t forget. She had already made a splash on Broadway with her role as Deena Jones in Dreamgirls—yes, the same musical that would later launch Jennifer Holliday into the stratosphere. With her powerhouse vocals and stage presence, it was only a matter of time before Ralph ventured into the recording studio to carve her niche in the music industry.
The Music: Disco, Soul, and That '80s Groove
By 1984, the disco scene was supposedly dead and buried, but Ralph wasn’t here to mourn. Instead, she took what was left of disco’s glittering corpse, injected it with the sultry essence of soul, and set it ablaze with the kinetic energy of '80s post-disco. You're So Romantic drips with seduction, a slick production where Ralph’s silky vocals float over a pulsating bassline and shimmering synths. It’s like Marvin Gaye’s Sexual Healing dressed up for a night out at Studio 54—sensual, yet undeniably danceable.
Flip it over to Too Hot, and the tempo picks up, the beat gets a little nastier. This track is a straight-up party starter, built on a foundation of hard-hitting funk grooves and Ralph’s fiery delivery. Here, the EP straddles the line between R&B and the emergent sounds of early electro-funk. It’s got the tight, compressed production that was becoming the hallmark of the era—drum machines snapping like a whip, synths pulsing with an almost primal urgency. The track feels like it’s always on the brink of explosion, holding you in its grip from the first beat to the last fade-out.
Controversies: The Cover That Turned Heads
Now, let’s talk about that cover. You couldn’t discuss this record in the '80s without bringing up the artwork—a near-scandalous photograph of Ralph, semi-nude, looking every bit the femme fatale. In an era when Madonna was already pushing the envelope of sexuality in pop culture, Ralph’s cover art still managed to raise eyebrows. It was a brazen move, a visual statement that dared to challenge the boundaries of acceptable female representation in music. Was it empowering, exploitative, or just plain sexy? The debate raged on, but one thing was clear—the cover made this EP impossible to ignore.
The Production Team: A Dream in the Studio
On the boards, you had the duo of Trevor Lawrence and Richard Rudolph. Lawrence was already a legend, having played saxophone for the likes of Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, and the Rolling Stones, and his production work was no less impressive. He had the chops to blend the gritty realism of funk with the polish of '80s pop. Rudolph, on the other hand, brought his own flair to the project. Having worked extensively with Minnie Riperton (who also happened to be his wife), Rudolph was adept at crafting lush, soulful arrangements that could showcase a voice like Ralph’s to perfection.
Conclusion: A Record That Was Too Hot to Handle
In the end, You're So Romantic / Too Hot wasn’t just a record—it was a moment in time captured in wax. It was Ralph’s bold declaration that she could straddle the line between music and theater, between the sensual and the soulful, between art and provocation. In a year when Prince was pushing the boundaries of sexuality in pop, and Madonna was the new queen of controversy, Sheryl Lee Ralph stepped up with a record that could hold its own on the dance floor and in the cultural conversation. This EP wasn’t just about making music—it was about making a statement, one that echoed across the turntables and into the cultural zeitgeist of the mid-'80s.
Sure, it might be easy to overlook this 12” today amidst the avalanche of other ‘80s records, but dismiss it at your peril. You're So Romantic / Too Hot was a hot, steamy night on wax—glowing under the spinning lights of a disco ball, electric with the promise of what might happen after the last track played. And even now, decades later, it’s still hot enough to burn your fingers if you’re not careful.
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Music Genre: Disco Dance Music |
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Album Production Information: Too Hot was a record label from TSR Mixers (1984-1985), Too Hot has released four albums with sexy covers: Raphael/Saylem, Le Foxxe, Sheryl Lee Ralph, Aleem |
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Album Production Information: Trevor Lawrence for Golden Scarab Productions Remix by: Michael Bona, Frank Poulton Executive Producer: Juergen M. Mueller |
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Record Label & Catalognr: Too Hot TSR 420103 |
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Media Format: 12" Maxi Single 45rpm |
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Year & Country: 1984-1985 Made in Germany |
Complete Track Listing of: Sheryl Lee Ralph You're So Romantic Too Hot Sexy Nude Cover |
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Album Cover Photo Gallery of: Sheryl Lee Ralph You're So Romantic Too Hot Sexy Nude Cover |
The cover of Sheryl Lee Ralph’s 12” EP You’re So Romantic presents a bold, visually rich composition. Ralph is depicted nearly nude, her body partially veiled by a glittering cascade of water droplets that seem suspended mid-air, creating a sparkling, sensual curtain across the image. She stands with one arm lifted gracefully above her head, hand resting against her forehead, while her other arm arches elegantly behind her, emphasizing the natural curves of her figure. Her skin glistens under the bright, controlled lighting, which accentuates the golden tones of the water and the deep shadows along her body, lending a three-dimensional, sculptural quality to the scene. Her hair is styled naturally, full and voluminous, slightly wet, adding to the spontaneous, sultry feel. She wears vivid red nail polish, which becomes a striking detail against the more muted, earthy palette of the overall image. Her face, partially obscured by the water, reveals a confident, knowing expression enhanced by bold makeup—dark eyeliner and shimmering eye shadow—typical of the 1980s glamour aesthetic. The background is a clear blue sky, minimalistic and serene, ensuring that all focus remains on Ralph herself. A gold triangular sticker is affixed on the upper right corner, providing marketing information about remixes and album details, but even this commercial element is tastefully integrated, not detracting from the image’s overall sensual power and sophistication. This cover art perfectly captures the era’s fusion of fashion, music, and visual bravado, making it a memorable and audacious statement piece. |
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This image captures a close-up view of the colorful center label of Sheryl Lee Ralph’s 12” vinyl single from her EP You're So Romantic. The label is dominated by the striking and bold title TOO HOT, rendered in large, blocky yellow letters with thick red shadows, creating a strong three-dimensional effect. Behind the text, stylized blue flames lick upward across a fiery orange and yellow background, reinforcing the "hot" theme with dynamic, energetic visuals. The technical details are printed in smaller black type, centered around the spindle hole. Information includes the artist’s name, Sheryl Lee Ralph, printed in a distinctive gothic-style font, and specifics about the track: "You're So Romantic (Remix)" running 10:15, credited to writers Lawrence and Musker. Production credits list Trevor Lawrence as the producer for Golden Scarab Productions, with Michael Bona and Frank Poulton as remixers, and Juergen M. Mueller as executive producer. Additional notes reference the full album In the Evening and mention availability on a special 7” radio mix. Along the outer rim of the label, fine red print encircles the perimeter, noting legal information about public performance rights and reproduction restrictions. The overall design is vivid and eye-catching, blending 1980s graphic flamboyance with essential technical details, making it both functional and visually impactful. |
"Too Hot" was a record label from TSR Mixers (1984-1985), Too Hot has released four albums with sexy covers: Raphael/Saylem, Le Foxxe, Sheryl Lee Ralph, Aleem.
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