أوبرايان

صدر الألبوم الأول، " Doin' Alright"، في أبريل 1982، ووصل إلى المركز العاشر في قائمة بيلبورد لألبومات موسيقى الريذم أند بلوز. أما الأغنية الرئيسية، "The Gigolo"، فكانت مزيجًا من موسيقى الفانك مع عناصر من موسيقى الموجة الجديدة والروك، والتي أبرزت صوت أوبرايان العالي. صدرت الأغنية في يناير، ووصلت إلى المركز الخامس في قائمة بيلبورد لأغاني الريذم أند بلوز المنفردة. ^{[ 2 ]}

كانت الأغنية المنفردة التالية نسخة محدثة من أغنية "Still Water (Love)" لفرقة فور توبس ، والتي وصلت إلى المركز 23. ^{[ 3 ]} ومن بين الأغاني البارزة الأخرى في ألبوم أوبرايان الأول الأغنية الرئيسية ذات الإيقاع المتوسط؛ والأغنية الرومانسية الأنيقة "Love Has Found Its Way"؛ والأغنية العاطفية "Can't Live Without Your Love".

أصدر أوبرايان ألبومه الثاني " أنت وأنا" في مارس 1983. سُمّي الألبوم تيمناً بأدائه لأغنية ستيفي وندر الرومانسية . وبلمسة عصرية، أصبحت الأغنية الرئيسية ثاني أغنية منفردة (وصلت إلى المركز 19)، ومنذ ذلك الحين أصبحت من أشهر أغاني أوبرايان. ^{[ 1 ]}

The lead single, "I’m Freaky," was an upbeat, synth-funk song that peaked at No. 15.^[3] Album tracks also receiving notice and airplay were the romantic “Together Always”; the fluid instrumental “Soft Touch”; and the energetic “Soul Train’s A Comin’”, which became the theme song for Cornelius’ show from 1983 to 1987. The album peaked at No. 13.^[4]

In May 1984, O’Bryan released Be My Lover which became his highest charting collection of songs (peaking at No. 3). The first single — the insistent, chugging “Lovelite” — marched to the top of the Billboard R&B Singles chart.^[5] The success of “Lovelite” prompted Capitol to release “Breakin’ Together” as the next single. But it was O’Bryan's penchant for ballads — the quiet storm staple “Lady I Love You;” the lovelorn “You’re Always on My Mind;” and “Go on and Cry,” which was the third single — that shone as the album's highlights. The title track also became known as one of O'Bryan's better uptempo songs.

In 1986, O’Bryan released his fourth studio album, Surrender.^[1] O’Bryan collaborated with writers Jerry Knight and Aaron Zigman to create the synth drenched “Tenderoni” and “Driving Force.” But arguably the strongest cuts on the album were three ballads — “You Have Got to Come to Me”, “Maria” and “Is This for Real” — that displayed O’Bryan's musical genius. Surrender would be O'Bryan's final album with Capitol Records.

After his exit from Capitol Records, O’Bryan signed to A&M Records. Unfortunately, due to a change in management and creative philosophy, O’Bryan requested a release from A&M. He then signed with Atlantic Records distributed label Third Stone Records which was founded by actor Michael Douglas and record producer Richard Rudolph. Prior to the release of O’Bryan's first release with Third Stone Records, Atlantic Records folded the label. Thus, at the height of his recording career, O’Bryan quietly exited the recording industry.

In 2007, O’Bryan made his triumphant return releasing his first album in two decades ironically entitled “F1RST”. The set derived its name from what O’Bryan called at the time “the first step of a new musical journey.” “F1RST” included the ballads highlighted by the songs “Just Like Doin’ It,” “Can I Kiss Your Lips”, “Man Overboard”, “Gotta Let You Go” and “Gratitude."^[2]

• أفضل أعمال أوبرايان (1996، ذا رايت ستاف )