UB Celebrates: 35th Anniversary of Al B. Sure’s ‘In Effect Mode’

Al B. Sure! is one of the greatest artists to emerge from New Jack Swing, an accomplished Singer, Songwriter and Producer.

Today May 3rd, marks the 35th Anniversary of his double platinum debut album “In Effect Mode.” Originally released May 3rd, 1998 via Warner Bros. Records.

The album was produced by Al B. Sure!, Kyle West and Teddy Riley and included the hit singles “Nite and Day,” “Off on Your Own (Girl),” “Rescue Me,” “If I’m Not Your Lover” and “Killing Me Softly.” The “If I’m Not Your Lover” remix, featuring Slick Rick was also a summer hit!

Al B. Sure‘s debut album, “In Effect Mode” sold over two million copies. The double platinum-plus effort climbed the charts to the #1 position on Billboard’s R&B chart for an astounding seven straight weeks.

Legendary Quincy Jones selected Al B. Sure! as the winner of the 1987 Sony Innovator Talent Search in a blindfold contest.

The judges were Herbie Hancock and Quincy Jones, who, in a “blindfold” test, selected Al B. Sure!‘s contribution from a field of 51. On being selected by such legendary music figures, Al B. stated, “I was very surprised and very honored. Most of my life my idols have included that Michael Jackson and Quincy Jones combination. So to have [Jones] pick me is kind of amazing to me. It’s kind of a dream.” He continued, “I’m a very big fan of Quincy Jones and I think that his big thing is `dreamy jazz,’ so that’s basically where my vibe comes from.”

Subsequently, Al B. Sure! would go on to work with Q on the gold single, “Secret Garden” from Quincy‘s “Back on the Block,” double platinum album. Accompanying Al B. on this groundbreaking quartet were the late great Barry White, El Debarge, and the late great James Ingram.

As a child, Al B. Sure! was introduced to the entertainment business by way of famed songwriter, Ellie Greenwich (writer of the 60’s smash, Do Run, Run). At Ten years old Ellie invited Al B. to participate in the creation of the theme song for Sesame Place Parks; the theme parks inspired by the PBS children’s show Sesame Street.

Not always a singer, Al B. Sure! spent time working as a rapper with some other Mount Vernon, N.Y., legends, Heavy D. & the Boys. “We all grew up together,” recalled Al B. Sure for Billboard in 88‘; “When Heavy got the recording deal I kind of got pushed out until I decided to stick my chin up, go for mine, and start working on my own things.”

Heavy D., and Al B. Sure! were both managed by former rapper legendary music executive Andre Harrell and his company, Uptown Enterprises.

Al B. Sure!‘s lead single “Nite And Day,” was virtually an out of the box smash.

Benny Medina at Warner Bros. felt that Al B.‘s music defined pigeonholing. “It doesn’t have any barriers to it. [Nite And Day’] was a very well written song and a sexy mood. That’s something that transcends color and chart category. Al has a sexy, falsetto texture to his voice and very obvious good looks, which were major attractions from a marketing standpoint.”

Al B. Sure! continued to create an extraordinary presence on the music scene during his debut era, validated by numerous awards including Grammy nominations, an American Music Award for Best New R&B Artist, several Soul Train Awards, New York Music Awards, and ASCAP Awards for songwriting.

Take A Trip Down Memory Lane with “In Effect Mode!”