UB Black Music Month Spotlight: Alexander O’Neal’s Classic ‘Hearsay’

Clarence Avant, founder of the Sussex label – home of soul troubadour Bill Withers, launched a new record company in 1977 called Tabu.

Though the imprint got off to a slow start, by the time the early 80s had arrived, it came into its own as the leading label of contemporary, cutting-edge R&B.

With former members of The TIME, Jimmy “Jam” Harris III and Terry Lewis were installed as in-house producers, the label scored major hits with SOS Band and Cherrelle, but soul man Alexander O’Neal gave the label its most potent chart successes and put Tabu on the map.

For this UB Black Music Month Spotlight, we revisit the album that not only went gold, near platinum in the US, but has sold over 9 million copies in the UK, “Hearsay.” Originally released in July, 1987.

The album was the brilliant follow-up to Alexander O’Neal‘s eponymous 1985 self-titled debut, which didn’t even sell 500,000 copies.

“Alexander O’Neal is throwing a party that’s going to make waves on radio, bells ring on cash registers, and people talk all over town.

It’s no idle hearsay. This is Alexander O’Neal’s” Hearsay;’ his hottest recording yet. Produced by Grammy grabbing Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis, “Hearsay” is a party album complete with romance, nastiness and everybody get-off-your-seat dance numbers.”

“Hearsay” spawned a number of hits, including the infectious Top 5 charting single “Criticize,” and the lead #1 single “Fake,” a menacing slice of techno-funk. The album also features another memorable duet with former label-mate Cherrelle, “Never Knew Love Like This.” In all, six singles from the album were released.

In essence a concept album with segued tracks – one side was dominated by funky dance grooves while the other was reflective and featured bedroom ballads.

Additionally different with the sophomore release, was Alexander O’Neal‘s image was more focused on, and his videos were more creative. Behind the development of his career then was Craig Rice, at that time a young manager with a long list of credentials, not just music but also in film.

Craig began managing Alexander O’Neal‘s career in September 1986 at the suggestion of Jam and Lewis. Alex had been through several managers in his brief solo career, and they felt he needed a stabilizing influence. It was Craig Rice who supervised the change in his image, putting him in traditional suits and ties, but suits he wasn’t afraid to sweat in. The first video released from the album for “Fake,” was directed by Craig.

Craig Rice is also a mentor to UBG Founder Aries, who graduated from McNally & Smith College of Music; where Craig was the head of the music business department.

In 2017 to celebrate the 30th Anniversary of the groundbreaking album, Alex released “Hearsay30.” Where he re-recorded the songs.

Alexander O’Neal has had 11 Top 40 singles on the US R&B charts, three of which also reached the Top 40 on the US pop chart.

However, he has always enjoyed more mainstream success in the UK. Where even his debut album is near platinum, he’s also achieved 14 Top 40 singles on the UK Singles Chart between 1985 and 1996, along with three top five albums on the UK Albums Chart.

Take a trip down memory lane, with one of the absolute best R&B albums from the 80s. Where the Minneapolis Sound is represented at it’s best, “Hearsay.”

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