***O'Bryan---He launched onto the scene with his 1981 hit "The Gigolo".You guys remember that one..."he's just a freak(he don't love nobody)...he won't dance,(he just wants your body)...he's just a gigolo (I don't think she really knows)".Follow-up singles include the Prince-like "I'm Freaky" (1983) and 1984's "Love Lite",with its' memorable intro..."here we go...one more time...will you please be mine?".By the late 80s,he had faded away.


***Freddie Jackson---In 1985,one of the hottest slow jams was Jacksons' debut single "Rock Me Tonight (For Old Time's Sake)".He followed it up with a string of impressive hits ("You Are My Lady"(1985),"Jam Tonight" (1986),"Nice And Slow" (1988),"Love Me Down"(1990),but nowadays,he seems to be missing in action.

***Christopher Williams---I remember buying his debut album in 1989 after hearing the song "Talk To Myself".I was really impressed.There were other strong songs like "Sexy Sex" and "Never Let Our Love Die",but subsequent albums flopped.

***Keith Washington---In 1991,his hit "Kissing You" was HUGE,especially when the soap opera 'General Hospital' began playing it as the theme song for one of their super-couples.He duetted with Chante Moore on the delicious love ballad "Candlelight And You"(1992),but for the most part,huge success has been elusive for the talented Washington.


Can you guys name any other forgotten R&B male singers who deserve more recognition?

Miles Jaye

Gary Taylor

Al B Sure

William Bell

Robert Winters

Boz Scaggs {some blue-eyed soul for ya'...LOL}

Major Harris

Joe Simon

Gene Chandler

Try to get back with more later...

Brother915 said:

Al B.Sure is now a radio DJ in my area.He has his own late-night radio show "The Secret Garden" on KISS-FM (98.1) in San Francisco (I'm not sure if it's a syndicated show).He plays slow jams and does dedications.I saw him last summer at a Brothers Johnson concert.

Very few people know this,but in 2001,Boz Scaggs released his strongest album since 'Silk Degrees'(1976).The CD is called 'Dig' and it is a masterpiece! There is one song called "Miss Riddle" that I consider the best thing he's ever done.Pick it up today!

DavidEye said:

I thought Christopher Williams was a good singer. I think his problem, as well as, Lisa Stansfield was one of timing. Meaning he came into the industry at a time where a male singer with a husky baritone voice was no longer in vogue. I remember his live MTV Uptown Special back in 1993. His performance on their was good{and he sung live}. His 1993 album Changes was good. Some good material on that one. And Chris for his part, bought a lot of intensity and compassion to what he was singing. "Don't You Want To Make Love", "When A Fool Becomes A Man" Every Little Thing You Do" and yes his remake of Teddy Pendergrass's "Come On With Me" were excellent tracks off of that record. I was hoping he would have a substantial career. However, his followup album didn't do too well. By this time, that Jodeci style of singing was in vogue and I think Christopher's career suffered as a result. He had even developed his own signature yell on his songs.

Yeah,I agree with your comments about Christopher Williams.I really thought he would make it big.His debut album is excellent.Several tracks ("Talk To Myself","Sexy Sex") sound like Teddy Riley-influenced New Jack Swing jams,but Christopher makes these songs his own,because he has a strong,distinctive voice.Oh well,you know what they say.There are no guarantees.

What about that guy...oh what's his name...Prince, right? Whatever happened to him?

alexnvrmnd said:

Haven't heard from him in years.What was his last album...that "Purple Parade" thing? In 1985?

DavidEye said:

I'm not sure, but most haven't really heard from him since the late 80's, very early 90's at best! LOL!

alexnvrmnd said:

Oh yes! In 1986,I think,didn't he have a huge hit with that song "Oh Sheila"? That's the last song I know by him!

DavidEye said:

Yeah, I remember that one!!! Boy, talk about a rip off of some other dude's sound! He never was too original, but he had his couple of hits!

Johnny Kemp
Colonel Abrams
Finis Henderson
Sherrick
Junior
Steve Arrington
Georgio

Peter Andre



aussie singer/dancer...used 2 get paid out heaps,but he has a brilliant voice & wrote some really nice songs on his last album "Time" from 1998.veryunderrated album in the context of his career

alexnvrmnd said:

unoriginal muthafucka that he is!

Did ya'll know that Mary J blige started her career singing bakc-up 4 Christopher Williams?? She's in his 92/93 LP.

Do ya'll remember Keith Sweat?? He has a new lp but(as always) he's overlooked.

He re-sang his "Make It Last 4ever" with Mariah in a concert in Atlanta back in 2000.

What about Trey Lorenz? He had a semi-hit with "Someone To Hold" in 1993. He was a back-up singer for Mariah Carrey. She sang back up on a lot of his songs. He also sang "Photograph Of Mary."

Anyone know?

Harlepolis said:

Speaking of "overlooked" add Johnny Gill to that list.

Hey! Where's Al B. Sure?

DavidEye said:

I heard that Al B. Sure is suppose to release an album called ALBSURE.COM. Don't get too exctied becuase apparently the release date keeps getting pushed back. Also, I don't think he is on a major label anymore. I don't really know if it a case of the album not being done or if it just keeps getting pushed back. I just downloaded "Off On Your Own (Girl)" and really want to get his album "In Effect Mode". I know his later two albums are out of print but are they worth seeking out?

crazymf said:

I could have sworn I say that guy on a recent Mariah special (maybe it was an old one but I doubt it) so I think he still sings with Mariah, whenever she tours (which might not be for a while)!

VinnyM27 said:

Yep indeed,,,he's with her in the special matta o' fact he is the main back-up vocalist along with another one called Mary Ann Tatum. They both could sing circles around A-N-Y-B-O-D-Y out there.

Trey is now a manager in Mariah's Label "MonarchC",,,the brotha is on old friend of her. He wrote songs 4 Aretha,, Rebbie Jackson and Mariah herself(Crybaby)

She produced an LP 4 him back in 2000 but Sony shelved it becoz it doesn't have a commercial appeal(whateva that means ).

I came 2 one of Mariah's concert and The brotha can sing his black booty off whheeooo his voice is a mixture of Prince's falsetto voice, Al Green's raspy voice and Smocky Robinson's. Speaking of which, do you also know that SMOCKY ROBINSON is his uncle?? Yep,,,you bet.


Wheneve I hear them praise Neo-Soul cats like Maxwell, Bilal and D'Angelo I say 2 myself "Ya'll neva heard brotha Trey".

He's everywhere with sistah Mariah.

WOW I neva knew that you guys know him
[This message was edited Tue Jan 14 9:18:25 PST 2003 by Harlepolis]

Harlepolis said:

"Ain't nobody hear bab bay, but me and youuu...yeahhh giiiaarll, I want to pull down the shades dim the lights...do what I want to do to youuu yea giiaaarll"
...Keith Sweat "Make You Sweat" (1990)

Keith Sweat first two albums is vintage new jack swing R&B.

Sweat is what you throw on to get things on and poppin with your lady.

Brother915 said:

I love his song with Athena Cage,,,"NOBODY"

Damn yo,,,this killer sexy ass joint set a sista's mood whenever I play it.

VinnyM27 said:

not really.some alright songs but nothing fully matched Hsi first Album.

Brother915 said:

Chrisptoher's first single "I Talk too Myself" Sounded too Damn Much like Bobby Brown's "My proragative" IMHO."Promises,Promises was a better single IMHO.timing did Hurt Him.because Johnny Gill Hardly registered.truth was Deep Ass Singing Negroes wasn't en swing at the time.Christopher Williams would be set now battling Dave Holister,Jaheim&Tank.

DavidEye said:

I heard some of that Boz Scaggs Set&Not Bad.far better than the stuff He had done n the alte 80's through 90s IMHO.

Damn,,,I'd sho love me some Al.B with his fine chubby ass

BTW Dave Hollister will release an LP ander Motown records. Is it me or does he sounds like Donny Hothaway sometimes?? I love this brotha,,,sad thang is he will quite the music biz after his upcoming LP and be a minister.

Tevin Campbell,El Debarge,Roachfield,Seal,Foster Sylvers,Rocky Robbins,

DavidEye said:[quote
***Keith Washington---In 1991,his hit "Kissing You" was HUGE,especially when the soap opera 'General Hospital' began playing it as the theme song for one of their super-couples.He duetted with Chante Moore on the delicious love ballad "Candlelight And You"(1992),but for the most part,huge success has been elusive for the talented Washington.


I got so sick of hearing "Kissing You" back in 1991. If I don't hear that song ever again..it will be too soon. Brother had a lockdown on R&B radio in that year.

mistermaxxx said:

...I have not heard anyone mention the name "Foster Sylvers" in years!

Christopher Williams was recently in a play called "Men Cry in the Dark" based on a book of the same title. The last album I recall him releasing was "Not a Perfect Man" back in the late 90's. I have it, it's pretty good. It may sound a little dated listening to it today, though.

St. Paul.