Alexandra O’Neal has had a music career spanning more than 30 years, coming to prominence in the middle of the 1980s, he can boast some very impressive musical stats in deed, releasing eight studio albums and fourteen singles that entered the Top 40 charts in the UK during the 1980s and 1990s. ‘If You Were Here Tonight’, ‘Fake’, ‘Criticize’ and ‘Saturday Love’, all becoming defining songs of the era. Blessed with that tough 60s soul voice with the same grain, range and physical stature of such greatness Otis Redding. ‘Hearsay30’ sees O’Neal collaborate with Manchester based funk band Mamma Freedom with a full re-recording of the classic 1987 album. The original ‘Hearsay’ was Alex’s second solo studio album, released in July ’87, (which followed on from the critically and commercially successful 1985 album ‘Alexander O’Neal’). The original ‘Hearsay’ continued with similar genres of: Pop, R&B, Soul and post-disco Minneapolis funk – all recorded between 1986 and 1987 in sessions at the famous Flyte Time Productions in Minneapolis, this was the birth place of the sumptuous paring of Jimmy Jam, Terry Lewis and Mr O’Neal. The Minneapolis duo of Jam and Lewis were the hottest go-to producers at this time, there unique abrasive Minneapolis funk grooves with light melodic hooks suited the perfect Juxtaposition for Alex’s soulful voice. ‘Hearsay’ was a fun type of concept album, being set around the attendees of a house party hosted by O’Neal. Over the course of the album/evening, the themes that where played out include O’Neal’s advances towards a particular woman in the room “What Can I Say To Make You Love Me”, as well as his observations on other attendees of the party – a courting couple ‘The Lovers’. A spiteful gossip-monger ‘Hearsay’. A loudmouth implied groupie in ‘Fake’ and a nagging ex-lover ‘Criticize’. Unrequited admiration in ‘Crying Overtime’, and culminating in the finale “When the Party’s Over”, where O’Neal finally persuades the woman to stay after the party is over, and why wouldn’t she?
So, thirty years on – what do we have. As set of songs that time has now deemed as – great. Vocals and a band that have surpassed the original. This album is a home coming where all the traditions off the music that culminated in the 80s heavily produced Jam and Lewis productions have unveiled the beauty that lay at there heart. It could be very easy to disregard the credibility of these cutz, as not as cool as Rick James (for the funk), or Bobby and Otis (for the soul), but 30 years on, Alexandra and the Mamma Freedom band have gifted us with the ultimate home where these songs should of always lived. For that we thank you.
Martin Madigan 5/5
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