Burning The Ground Exclusive
When Alexander O’Neal emerged in the mid-1980s, his commanding baritone and emotionally charged delivery quickly set him apart in the evolving R&B landscape. One of the standout tracks from his debut album was the sleek and synth-driven single “Innocent.”
Released in 1985 from the self-titled debut Alexander O’Neal (1985 album), “Innocent” showcased the polished Minneapolis sound crafted by legendary production duo Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis. Built around crisp drum machine programming, pulsing bass, and shimmering synthesizers, the track perfectly captures the sophisticated R&B style that Jam and Lewis were refining during the decade.
O’Neal delivers a powerful vocal performance on the track, balancing intensity with smooth restraint. Adding to the song’s distinctive character are the backing vocals performed by fellow Minneapolis artist Cherrelle. Her unmistakable harmonies weave throughout the track, giving the chorus an extra layer of energy and providing a subtle preview of the musical chemistry that the two artists would later display on their famous duet “Saturday Love.”
“Innocent” quickly found success in the United States, climbing to #11 on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart in 1985 and helping introduce Alexander O’Neal to a wider audience. Interestingly, while many of his later singles would become major hits in the UK, “Innocent” remains the only single from the album not to chart there.
Before his solo breakthrough, O’Neal had already been closely tied to the Minneapolis music scene. In fact, he was originally slated to front an early version of The Time before being replaced by Morris Day. His eventual partnership with Jam and Lewis proved to be a turning point, producing a series of stylish R&B recordings that would define much of his career.
More than four decades later, “Innocent” remains a standout from O’Neal’s debut era—an irresistible blend of electronic funk, soulful vocals, and the unmistakable studio craftsmanship of Jam and Lewis. For fans of the Minneapolis sound, it’s a track that still feels as fresh and sophisticated as it did when it first arrived in 1985.
SIDE A:
Innocent (Special 12” Extended Dance Remix) 10:34
SIDE B:
Innocent (Instrumental) 9:54
VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint
| Chart | Peak Position | Date |
|---|---|---|
| US Billboard Hot R&B / Hip-Hop Songs | #11 | 1985 |
RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label:Tabu Records – 4Z9 05140
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 33 ⅓ RPM
Country: US
Released: 1985
Genre: Electronic, Funk / Soul
Style: Funk, Soul
CREDITS:
- Art Direction, Photography By – Stafford (2)
- Lacquer Cut By [Runout Etching ❀] – Brian Gardner
- Producer, Written-By – Jimmy Jam And Terry Lewis*
NOTES:
Special 12″ extended dance remix
Special version from the Tabu LP: “Alexander O’Neal.”
Buy the 12″ at DISCOGS
VINYL TRANSFER & AUDIO RESTORATION:
-DjPaulT
for BURNING THE GROUND
THE GEAR:
Turntable: Technics SL-1200MK7
Cartridge/Stylus: Ortofon Concorde Music Black
Phono Pre-amp: Pro-Jec Tube Box DS2
Tubes: Genalex Gold Lion 12AX7 ECC83/B759 Gold Pins Vacuum Tube – Matched Pair
Audio Interface: MOTU M4
Turntable Isolation Platform: ISO-Tone™ Turntable Isolation Platform
Platter: Pro Spin Acrylic Mat
Stabilizer: Pro-Ject Record Puck
Record Cleaning: VPI HW 16.5 Record Cleaning Machine
Artwork Scans: Epson Workforce WF-7610 Professional Printer/Scanner
SOFTWARE:
Recording/Editing: Adobe Audition 25 (Recording)
Down Sampling/Dither: iZotope RX Advanced 2
Artwork Editor: Adobe Photoshop CS5
Click Removal: Manual
FLAC/MP3 Conversion: dBpoweramp
M3U Playlist: Playlist Creator
RESTORATION NOTES:
All vinyl rips are recorded @ 32bit/float
FLAC (Level Eight)
Artwork scanned at 600dpi
**24bit FLAC Only Available For Seven Days!
Password: burningtheground
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