Fake
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Album Summary
Released in 1987 on Tabu Records, 'Fake' is a single release from Minneapolis-born soul man Alexander O'Neal, the kind of record that came out of that tight-knit Minneapolis scene where the grooves ran deep and the production was razor-sharp. Tabu Records, the Chicago-based soul and R&B powerhouse, provided the home for O'Neal's music throughout his career, and this release came during a period when he was riding high on the strength of his acclaimed album work. The single was crafted in that sleek, synthesizer-driven contemporary R&B style that defined the mid-to-late '80s, blending electro textures with genuine soul feeling — the kind of record that sounded equally at home in a club or on a late-night radio set.
Reception
- "Fake" was a significant chart success for Alexander O'Neal in the United Kingdom, where he had built a particularly devoted following throughout the 1980s.
- The single helped cement O'Neal's reputation as one of the premier male R&B vocalists of his era, drawing strong radio support on both sides of the Atlantic.
Significance
- The release captures the sophisticated crossroads of electro, funk, and contemporary R&B that defined the sound of late-1980s soul music, with O'Neal's powerful vocal delivery giving real emotional weight to a production style that could sometimes feel cold in lesser hands.
- The multiple-mix format of this release — including an extended version, an edit, a Patty Mix, an acapella, and an instrumental — reflects the era's vibrant remix culture and the importance of the 12-inch single as an artistic and commercial format in R&B and dance music.
- Alexander O'Neal's work on Tabu Records during this period stands as a key chapter in the story of Minneapolis soul, a city that produced an extraordinary concentration of R&B talent in the 1980s.
Tracklist
-
A1 Fake (Extended Version) —
5:20
-
A2 Fake (Edit) —
3:11
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B1 Fake (Patty Mix) —
3:10
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B2 Fake (Acapella) —
2:20
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B3 Fake (Instrumental) —
4:35
Artist Details
Alexander O'Neal emerged from the vibrant Minneapolis soul scene in the 1980s, bringing a rich, powerful baritone voice to the contemporary R&B landscape through his work with Tabu Records. His sound masterfully blended the sleek electro-funk production style of the era with deep, classic soul sensibilities, positioning him as one of the decade's most distinctive American R&B voices. With roots in funk and soul traditions, O'Neal carved out a signature style that honored the groove-heavy past while embracing the synthesizer-driven present.
