Word: neal
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...Neal's Hearsay takes the viewpoint of the seducer or persuader, not the persuaded. Filled with slow jams, the album's concept is a party at O'Neal's house. Annoying between-song patter gives the aura of a small gathering and sets the scene for O'Neal to make his moves on his lady...
However, because he must play warm and seductive as opposed to Janet's tough and funky, O'Neal is confined to mostly mellow and smooth R&B tunes. Except for "Fake," "Criticize," and the opener, "What Can I Say to Make You Love Me," the album is hardly suited for the party dj's turntable...
FROM Human League's "Human," to SOS Band's "The Finest," the sound is unmistakeable. The difference on O'Neal's "The Lovers," "Sunshine," and "Never Knew Love Like This" (a gospelish duet with Cherrelle) is O'Neal's voice...
...Neal, in another Motown parallel, is a modern-day Marvin Gaye, able to sing powerfully on both funk jams and ballads. And for Jam and Lewis, accustomed to the frail voice of Jackson or the nonexistent voice of Alpert, a real singer completes the framework they've needed to perfect their sound...
Hearsay is good, almost classic stuff, but not too original. If the Minneapolis crew keeps making music like Alexander O'Neal's album, it certainly won't be a total waste of vinyl. But some inspiration for innovation will soon be needed if Flyte Tyme wants to keep flying so high...