ultra
10-08-2003, 09:45 AM
For many years in the '80s and early '90s, Alexander O'Neal was the hottest R&B crooner in the Twin Cities’: a gifted R&B singer with ample hit power. Recently, in Minneapolis, O’Neal once again demonstrated he’s got the tools to deliver the goods during the release party for his new CD project, Saga of A Married Man (Eagle Records) at Minneapolis’ Escape Club.
With a star-studded celebrity crowd that included members of the Minnesota Twins – who dropped by after clinching the Division title that very night -- O’Neal brought the crowd to a frenzy. He performed album cuts including the tracks, “Married Man,” “Happy Home” and “I’m There,” which according to producer Bobby Z – “He transformed into a classic funk groove.”
In 2003, the former singer for the Time and Sounds of Blackness is hoping to top the charts, once again with the stateside release of his CD, "Saga of a Married Man." Not only is it the singer's strongest album in years, but it's also one of his most personal efforts. O’Neal quips, "I've been married three times, so I figured I'm qualified to sing on the subject.”
Alexander is quick to say he has been happily married to his third wife for 14 years. With hindsight helping out, though, the father of eight said he sees less-than-sunny songs such as "What Is a Man?" and "He Said She Said" as "experiences I learned from and want to share with the public."
Assisting him in his mission was former Prince drummer Bobby Z, who produced the album for his Eagle Records. O'Neal got another local boost from a younger R&B talent, Jason Isaac (a k a J. Isaac Moore), who co-wrote five songs on the album.
"Minneapolis is still a great place to make music," O'Neal said. However, he admitted, "In Europe and the U.K., audiences are very loyal, especially in R&B. In America, you're only as big as your last hit.”
It's definitely time for another hit here, then. O'Neal performed for the jam packed CD release party crowd until the early hours at the Escape nightclub with Julius Collins' Juice, who opened for the headliner.
With a star-studded celebrity crowd that included members of the Minnesota Twins – who dropped by after clinching the Division title that very night -- O’Neal brought the crowd to a frenzy. He performed album cuts including the tracks, “Married Man,” “Happy Home” and “I’m There,” which according to producer Bobby Z – “He transformed into a classic funk groove.”
In 2003, the former singer for the Time and Sounds of Blackness is hoping to top the charts, once again with the stateside release of his CD, "Saga of a Married Man." Not only is it the singer's strongest album in years, but it's also one of his most personal efforts. O’Neal quips, "I've been married three times, so I figured I'm qualified to sing on the subject.”
Alexander is quick to say he has been happily married to his third wife for 14 years. With hindsight helping out, though, the father of eight said he sees less-than-sunny songs such as "What Is a Man?" and "He Said She Said" as "experiences I learned from and want to share with the public."
Assisting him in his mission was former Prince drummer Bobby Z, who produced the album for his Eagle Records. O'Neal got another local boost from a younger R&B talent, Jason Isaac (a k a J. Isaac Moore), who co-wrote five songs on the album.
"Minneapolis is still a great place to make music," O'Neal said. However, he admitted, "In Europe and the U.K., audiences are very loyal, especially in R&B. In America, you're only as big as your last hit.”
It's definitely time for another hit here, then. O'Neal performed for the jam packed CD release party crowd until the early hours at the Escape nightclub with Julius Collins' Juice, who opened for the headliner.