All True Man is the fourth studio album by American recording artist Alexander O'Neal. The album was a success in the UK, peaking at number two, though sales did not reach the levels of his previous album, Hearsay.

All True Man
Studio album by
ReleasedJanuary 25, 1991 (1991-01-25)
Studio
  • Flyte Tyme Studios, Edina, Minnesota
  • Starlight Sound, Richmond, California
Genre
Length64:10
LabelTabu
Producer
Alexander O'Neal chronology
My Gift to You
(1988)
All True Man
(1991)
Twelve Inch Mixes
(1992)
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[1]
Calgary HeraldB+[2]
Chicago Tribune[3]
Entertainment Weekly(favorable)[4]
Melody Maker(favorable)[5]
People Magazine(favorable)[6]

On release, the album was received favorably by the majority of music critics. it went on to peak at number 49 on the Billboard 200 and reached #3 on Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums. The album's title single reached number 5 on the R&B chart and number 43 on the pop chart.[7] The album launched four charting singles in the UK. "All True Man" peaked at number 18 on the UK Singles Chart; "What Is This Thing Called Love?" peaked at #53; "Shame on Me" peaked at number 71; "Sentimental" at number 53.[8] The album was certified gold by the RIAA in 1992.[9] In the UK, it was also certified gold by the BPI.

Critical reception edit

In a retrospective review, Alex Henderson of AllMusic gave the album three out of five stars and wrote that "The production is slick and high-tech; the vocals are the essence of earthy soulfulness. All True Man isn't O'Neal's best or most essential Tabu/Epic release; novices, in fact, would be better off starting out with his self-titled debut album of 1985." adding that "Nonetheless, this is a respectable, satisfying effort that the singer's hardcore fans will appreciate."[1]

Track listing edit

All tracks are written by James Harris and Terry Lewis, except where noted

Side one
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Time Is Running Out" 3:51
2."The Yoke (G.U.O.T.R.)" 7:15
3."Every Time I Get Up"
  • Lance Alexander
  • Tony Tolbert
5:16
4."Somebody (Changed Your Mind)" 5:00
5."Midnight Run"Foster & McElroy4:45
6."Used" 4:59
Side two
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
7."All True Man" 5:04
8."Sentimental" 6:15
9."What Is This Thing Called Love?" 6:04
10."The Morning After" 5:06
11."Hang On"
  • Alexander
  • Tolbert
6:29
12."Shame On Me"
  • Jam
  • Lewis
  • Howard
4:01

Personnel edit

Credits are adapted from the album's liner notes.[10]

Charts edit

Certifications edit

Region Certification Certified units/sales
United Kingdom (BPI)[19] Gold 100,000^
United States (RIAA)[20] Gold 500,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

References edit

  1. ^ a b Henderson, Alex. "Alex Henderson – All True Man". AllMusic. Retrieved January 20, 2015.
  2. ^ Obee, Dave (March 3, 1991). "Recent Releases". Calgary Herald.
  3. ^ May, Mitchell (March 28, 1991). "Home Entertainment: Recordings". Chicago Tribune. p. 7.
  4. ^ Tucker, Ken (February 8, 1991). "All True Man". Entertainment Weekly.
  5. ^ Myers, Caren (February 2, 1991). "Albums". Melody Maker. p. 30. Retrieved April 3, 2023.
  6. ^ "Picks and Pans Review: All True Man". People Magazine. February 18, 1991.
  7. ^ Hearsay Chart & awards at AllMusic
  8. ^ Roberts, David (2002). Guinness World Records British Hit Singles (15th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Ltd. ISBN 0-85112-187-X., p.360
  9. ^ RIAA searchable database Archived June 26, 2007, at the Wayback Machine.
  10. ^ All True Man liner notes. Tabu. 1991.
  11. ^ "Bubbling Down Under Week Commencing 25 March 1991". Retrieved March 25, 2022.
  12. ^ "Dutchcharts.nl – Alexander O'Neal – All True Man" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved November 9, 2021.
  13. ^ "Offiziellecharts.de – Alexander O'Neal – All True Man" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved November 9, 2021.
  14. ^ "Swedishcharts.com – Alexander O'Neal – All True Man". Hung Medien. Retrieved November 9, 2021.
  15. ^ "Alexander O'Neal | Artist | Official Charts". UK Albums Chart. Retrieved November 9, 2021.
  16. ^ "Alexander O'Neal Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved November 9, 2021.
  17. ^ "Alexander O'Neal Chart History (Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved November 9, 2021.
  18. ^ "Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums – Year-End 1991". Billboard. Retrieved November 9, 2021.
  19. ^ "British album certifications – Alexander O'Neal – All True Man". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved January 20, 2015.
  20. ^ "American album certifications – O'Neal, Alexander – All True Man". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved January 20, 2015.

External links edit