Heart - Brigade - usa release Capitol ESTU 2121 12" Vinyl LP Album

- The USA pressing of this album has a Black Label, with silver coloured lettering

Front cover of Heart's 1990 album Brigade, featuring a minimalist, geometric design. The word 'HEART' appears in uppercase black letters on a yellow rectangle in the top-left corner. Dominating the center is a bold, angular shape split in half diagonally: the left side is filled with a cool blue color, while the right side is a vibrant red. These interlocking forms suggest an abstract heart shape or the letter H. The background is matte black with colored accents. In the bottom-right corner, the word 'BRIGADE' appears in spaced-out yellow capital letters.

"Brigade" is the tenth studio album by American rock band Heart, released in 1990 by Capitol Records. Marking a return to their hard rock roots while embracing polished pop-metal production, the album features powerful vocals by Ann Wilson and intricate instrumentation by Nancy Wilson and the band. Produced by Richie Zito, "Brigade" includes major hits like "All I Wanna Do Is Make Love to You" and "Stranded," cementing Heart’s place in the '90s rock scene. A commercial success, it reached platinum status and expanded the band’s global fan base.

Heart's BRIGADE Album Description:

Heart's "Brigade" is a legendary album that captivated rock enthusiasts with its powerful sound and compelling lyrics. Released in the United States under Capitol ESTU 2121, this 12" vinyl LP became a sensation, climbing its way to the impressive position of number three on the American Billboard 200.

One distinctive feature of the USA release of "Brigade" is the black label adorned with silver-colored lettering. This aesthetic choice adds an air of sophistication and elegance to the album, perfectly complementing the musical artistry contained within.

Upon delving into the album, listeners are treated to an immersive experience that includes an original custom inner sleeve. This inner sleeve not only provides album details but also contains complete lyrics for all the songs, allowing fans to fully engage with the music and delve into the heartfelt poetry penned by Heart.

The band members and musicians who contributed to "Brigade" are a formidable ensemble, each bringing their unique talents to the table. At the forefront are the Wilson sisters, Ann and Nancy, who spearhead Heart with their remarkable skills. Ann's commanding vocals and mesmerizing background vocals leave an indelible impression on each track, while Nancy showcases her versatility by handling acoustic and electric guitars, harmonica, keyboards, mandolin, and lending her voice to the harmonies.

Supporting the Wilson sisters are a talented group of individuals who elevate the album to new heights. Greg Adams, Emillio Castillo, Steve Grove, and Stephen Kupka form a formidable horn section, adding layers of depth and richness to the sound. Mark Andes on bass, Kim Bullard on keyboards, Denny Carmassi on drums, Howard Leese on guitar, rhythm guitar, keyboards, mandolin, and background vocals, and Lee Thornburg on the horn all contribute their expertise, ensuring a well-rounded and cohesive musical experience.

"Brigade" is a musical journey that encompasses a range of emotions and themes. From the anthemic energy of tracks like "Wild Child" and "Call of the Wild" to the introspective introspection of songs like "I Didn't Want to Need You" and "The Night", Heart demonstrates their prowess in crafting songs that resonate with listeners on a profound level. The album's lyrics offer a glimpse into the human condition, exploring themes of love, loss, resilience, and personal growth, all delivered with the raw authenticity that has become synonymous with Heart.

Production & Recording Information:

Music Genre:

Hard Rock / Heavy Metal Music

Label & Catalognr:

Capitol – ESTU 2121

Media Format:

12" Vinyl LP Record

Year & Country:

1990 – Made in USA

Producers:
  • Richie Zito – Producer

Band Members / Musicians:

Band Members, Musicians:
  • Ann Wilson – Vocals and Background Vocals
  • Nancy Wilson – Acoustic Guitar, Electric Guitar, Harmonica, Keyboards, Mandolin, Vocals and Background Vocals
  • Greg Adams – Horn Section
  • Mark Andes – Bass, Background Vocals
  • Kim Bullard – Keyboards
  • Denny Carmassi – Drums
  • Emillio Castillo – Horn Section
  • Steve Grove – Horn Section
  • Stephen Kupka – Horn Section
  • Howard Leese – Guitar, Rhythm Guitar, Keyboards, Mandolin, Background Vocals
  • Lee Thornburg – Horn
  • Richie Zito – Guitar
    • cata

Complete Track-listing:

Tracklisting Side One:
  1. Wild Child
  2. All I Wanna Do Is Make Love To You
  3. Secret
  4. Tall, Dark, Handsome Stranger
  5. I Didn't Want To Need You
  6. The Night
Tracklisting Side Two:
  1. Fallen from Grace
  2. Under The Sky
  3. Cruel Nights
  4. Stranded
  5. Call Of The Wild
  6. I Want Your World To Turn
  7. I Love You

Heart "Brigade" Album Photo Gallery:

Album Front Cover Photo
Front cover of Heart's 1990 album Brigade, featuring a minimalist, geometric design. The word 'HEART' appears in uppercase black letters on a yellow rectangle in the top-left corner. Dominating the center is a bold, angular shape split in half diagonally: the left side is filled with a cool blue color, while the right side is a vibrant red. These interlocking forms suggest an abstract heart shape or the letter H. The background is matte black with colored accents. In the bottom-right corner, the word 'BRIGADE' appears in spaced-out yellow capital letters.

Front cover of Heart's 1990 album "Brigade", released on Capitol Records in the USA.

The design features a striking, abstract composition with a minimalist, geometric style. In the upper-left corner, the band name HEART is printed in uppercase black letters, each spaced slightly apart on a bright yellow rectangular background.

The central artwork is a large interlocking symbol that resembles both a stylized letter H and a deconstructed heart. It is split vertically into two symmetrical halves—one filled with bold red, the other with vivid blue—against a deep matte-black backdrop.

Additional color blocks in red and blue are placed subtly at the top-right and bottom-left corners of the sleeve, balancing the visual weight. At the bottom-right, the album title BRIGADE appears in spaced yellow capital letters, understated yet intentional in placement.

The overall aesthetic is modern, clean, and symbolic, with sharp contrasts and precise color alignment suggesting themes of duality, energy, and cohesion—qualities that reflect the sound and structure of the album itself.

Album Back Cover Photo
Back cover of Heart's 1990 album Brigade. The upper section displays the full tracklisting in small uppercase orange text on a matte black background, split into two columns labeled Side One and Side Two. Below, the word HEART is creatively spelled out using geometric, abstract shapes in bright red, purple, orange, green, and blue against black. Each letter is a unique symbol: a red circular H, a purple angled E, a triangle-based golden A, a green R with a bent top, and a blue T constructed from rectangles. The barcode, catalog number ESTU 2121, and production credit to Richie Zito are also present.

Back cover of Heart’s "Brigade" 12-inch vinyl LP, Capitol ESTU 2121 (USA release).

This minimalist design features a matte black background dominated by a stylized layout of the band's name, HEART, spelled using bold, colorful geometric forms.

Each "letter" is a visual abstraction: a red circle bisected vertically (H), a purple angular shape forming an E, an orange triangle pattern for A, a green R-like shape with a bent tip, and a blue inverted V over a rectangle forming T.

At the top-left, the tracklist is printed in small uppercase orange text, split into two columns labeled Side One and Side Two, listing all 13 songs from the album.

The barcode and catalog number ESTU 2121 are printed in the top-right corner, while "Produced by Richie Zito" is seen in red text in the lower-right. The bottom edge includes a faint Capitol Records logo and legal information in small blue type.

First Photo of Custom Inner Sleeve
Custom inner sleeve of Heart's 1990 album Brigade. It features portraits of five band members—Ann Wilson, Nancy Wilson, Howard Leese, Denny Carmassi, and Mark Andes—each framed in colored boxes. Below each portrait is a section of song lyrics in compact, yellow or white text. Ann Wilson's photo appears in a red frame with a shadowy blue tone. Nancy Wilson is framed in purple with a soft white glow. Leese is presented in orange with high contrast. Carmassi appears under a green frame with cool tones. Andes is framed in blue, his long blond hair softly lit. The background is matte black throughout.

Custom inner sleeve from Heart's "Brigade" LP, USA release (1990).

This full-color insert presents a horizontal panel of individual portrait photos of the band members: Ann Wilson, Nancy Wilson, Howard Leese, Denny Carmassi, and Mark Andes. Each is framed in a uniquely colored rectangle—red, purple, orange, green, and blue respectively—against a solid black background.

The photos are stylized with varying lighting and tones, ranging from stark contrast to soft glow. Below each portrait is a column of lyrics corresponding to the songs they perform on. The lyrics are printed in neat, small font using white and yellow ink for readability.

The layout creates a structured, visually engaging way to connect listeners to both the artists and their music, emphasizing the collaborative energy of the album.

Close up of Side One record’s label
Close-up of Side One label of Heart's 1990 album Brigade, U.S. pressing on Capitol Records. The label is black with white text, featuring the iconic Capitol dome logo at the top. Below the Capitol script, the band name HEART is rendered in five geometric shapes: a red circular H, a purple angular E, a triangle-based A, a green R, and a blue T. The text includes Side 1, ESTU 2121 catalog number, stereo format, and 33 1/3 rpm speed. Track titles and composers for six songs are listed, ending with production credit: Produced by Richie Zito. Surrounding text includes copyright and legal warnings in small print.

Close-up of the Side One label on the U.S. Capitol Records vinyl pressing of "Brigade" by Heart (1990).

The label design features a matte black background with crisp white print. At the top is the iconic Capitol Records dome logo and script, followed by the band's name, HEART, represented using distinct geometric icons—mirroring the abstract shapes found on the back cover.

The label identifies the record as SIDE 1, with catalog numbers ESTU 2121 and ESTU 2121A. It notes 33⅓ rpm stereo playback and copyright attribution to Capitol Records Inc. beneath the band name.

Six track titles are clearly listed along with songwriting credits and publishing rights. The final line reads: Produced by Richie Zito. The outer rim contains legal warnings about unauthorized use, printed in a tiny circular border.

Index of HEART Rock Band Vinyl Album Discography and Album Cover Gallery

HEART - Bad Animals (Canada & Europe Releases) 12" Vinyl LP
HEART - Bad Animals (Canada & Europe Releases) album front cover vinyl record

Ann Wilson's voice soars effortlessly through each track on "Bad Animals", leaving a lasting impression on anyone who hears it. Her ability to connect with the audience on a visceral level is truly remarkable

HEART - Bad Animals (1987, Canada) HEART - Bad Animals (1987, EEC)

HEART - Brigade (USA & European Releases) 12" Vinyl LP
HEART - Brigade (USA & European Releases) album front cover vinyl record

Heart's "Brigade" is a legendary album that captivated rock enthusiasts with its powerful sound and compelling lyrics. It became a sensation, climbing its way to the impressive position of number three on the American Billboard 200.

Heart - Brigade (1990, Europe) HEART - Brigade (1990, USA)
HEART - Little Queen
HEART - Little Queen album front cover vinyl record

The album "Little Queen" was produced by Mike Flicker, who had previously worked with bands such as Loverboy and Nazareth. The album's sound is a mix of hard rock, heavy metal, and pop rock.

Little Queen 12" Vinyl LP
HEART - S/T Self-Titled
HEART - S/T Self-Titled album front cover vinyl record

Heart had been steadily incorporating harder-edged elements into their music throughout the early 1980s. The self-titled album fully embraced this evolution, showcasing a band at the peak of their creative and commercial power.

Heart 12" Vinyl LP