(January 5, 2018) SoulTrackers certainly know Alexander O'Neal, the soul star of the 80s and 90s who, with Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis producing, issued such now classic singles as "If You Were Hear Tonight" and "Fake." But O'Neal had a long road prior to fame, part of which is unearthed in the new The Lost Tapes release, featuring recordings that O'Neal made in the early 80s that never before saw the light of day.
Chris Moon of MoonSound Studios in Minneapolis had worked with Prince and began auditioning local singers, trying to find a new artist with whom to work. O'Neal was the artist they chose, and they recorded a dozen or so songs with him with the goal of launching his career. However, O'Neal, who nearly became the lead singer for The Time, ended up working with Jam & Lewis and his recordings with Moon were buried until now.
(January 5, 2018) SoulTrackers certainly know Alexander O'Neal, the soul star of the 80s and 90s who, with Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis producing, issued such now classic singles as "If You Were Hear Tonight" and "Fake." But O'Neal had a long road prior to fame, part of which is unearthed in the new The Lost Tapes release, featuring recordings that O'Neal made in the early 80s that never before saw the light of day.
Chris Moon of MoonSound Studios in Minneapolis had worked with Prince and began auditioning local singers, trying to find a new artist with whom to work. O'Neal was the artist they chose, and they recorded a dozen or so songs with him with the goal of launching his career. However, O'Neal, who nearly became the lead singer for The Time, ended up working with Jam & Lewis and his recordings with Moon were buried until now.
The Lost Tapes certainly has an early 80s feel, with lots of electronics but also a dramatic feel on many songs. One of the better cuts is the ballad "Make It Easy," on which O'Neal shows off his attractive falsetto. It is featured below as our newest First Listen. Check it out and welcome this long lost music from a longtime fave.
Alexander O'Neal - "Make It Easy"