O'Bryan

Multi-instrumentalist O'bryan got into the business after a friend (who was in the choir he sang in as a young adult in Southern California) married Ron Kersey, who had worked in Philadelphia with groups like The Trammps in the 1970s. Upon her recommendation, Kersey got O'bryan into a group he was forming. That quickly fell apart, but Kersey helped the singer connect with Soul Train impresario Don Cornelius, who helped O'bryan land a deal with Capitol. During the '80s, he cut four albums and nine singles that made the {R&B} charts. His up-tempo tracks could sound something like a more mainstream Prince, though he tread far closer to the {urban contemporary} mainstream on his {allads}. "The Gigolo" made number five in 1982, and over the next few years he had some up-tempo and {allad} follow-ups. "I'm Freaky," which was reminiscent of "Gigolo," was the best of these; "Lovelite" was the most successful. In 2007, he returned with the {allad}-heavy F1rst, issued digitally through the Headstorm label with plans for a CD version. ~ Richie Unterberger, Rovi