The BEST Soul music to be coming out of the UK at this time.

13 MP3 Songs
URBAN/R&B: Soul, URBAN/R&B: Smooth Soul



Details:
Al was born in Baltimore, Maryland but doesn't remember much of it as by the time he was five years old his folks moved to New York City.
Al's father was a member of the first black Do Wop group, The Orioles with lead singer Sonny Til, Alex Sharp - First Tenor, George Nelson - Baritone, Johnny Reed - Bass and Tommy Gaither - Second Tenor. They were managed by Deborah Chessler and had many hits including "What are u doing New years Eve" and "Barbara Lee" to name a few. The Orioles are now part of the "Rock and Roll Hall of Fame".
It didn't take Al long to get involved with his own group called The Shamrocks (Al throws his head back in laughter at the recollection of their name - one helluva name for a Black Soul and R&B group!

Al first got involved in the British music scene when he was stationed at R.A.F. Upper Heyford. Al and his G.I. based band called The Afro-Dimensions participated and won a Blues and Soul competition sponsored by Blues and Soul Magazine around 1972. The first prize was a recording contract with a London based record company Jay Boy Records. Al wrote both sides of the single - A-side "Give it away" and B-side ballad "Just because" which more than established Al as a singer/songwriter and member of the P.R.S. Due to Airforce commitments the group disbanded.
Al was then contracted to London management and managed by David Vaughan the son of singer/performer/actor Frankie Vaughan. Al and David began to write together as well and through Davids many connections had songs published by Bill Martin's Publishing Company a highly respected publisher. One song "Whatever goes around, comes around" was covered by 70's diva Marsha Hines and a Canadian group "Mighty Pope".

Al at this stage had established himself as a songwriter of high calibre and begun developing as a Soul artist and session musician. At this time Al met Peter Shelly who himself had success with "Love me, love my dog" and Peter produced many hits for Alvin Stardust. Peter took Al under his wing and they became a songwriting team with the main objective to establish Al as a solo artist. Al and Peter wrote many songs together in the middle 70's releasing their first single "Never gonna leave you" on the G.T.O. label which carried acts like Billy Ocean and Heatwave to name a few. Al's next single with co-writer Shelly was "One third love, two thirds pain" which reached the Top 100 song charts. Al also released with Peter a disco version of "Bewitched, bothered & bewildered" on the Ariola label. Al got lots of airplay and travelled Europe promoting the songs.

The music flowed but after numerous singles on different labels it was clear that the music wasn't going to happen this time. As the Shelly/Sharp partnership faded, Al met Martin Kershaw a dynamic guitarist and songwriter during one of Al's backing sessions and together they wrote a song called "The Poke" which was released on Martin's own label "Solid Records". "The Poke" should have been Al's Big Break. The record got close but it didn't happen.

Al then left the music business to re-evaluate his life. He spent a few years away but his deep desire pushed him to produce his own albums - 2 Spiritual/Gospel albums, 2 meditation/relaxation albums, 2 jazz albums and 4 Soul albums. They have all been recorded and released by Al on his own label and the process has made him a seasoned singer, songwriter, musician and producer.

During this time Al had written a musical with writing partner Greg Tingey called Jack (The Musical) a story told in music about Jack the Ripper yet a much softer, emotional side of the story. Greg Tingey wrote the the lyrics, the music by Al Sharp, Arnie Batting, Anita Tingey, Peter Day & Greg Tingey. The story was worked on by Andy Miller and Al signed on as co-producer.

Al and Greg's partnership as lyricist and musician produced many songs, ballads, soul, gospel, pop & blues and are all now established as part of the Al Sharp, Grreg Tingey Song Catalogue. Jack the Musical probably still sits on someones desk awaiting its re-birth and possible success. Mr. Tingey has pased on but remains very much alive in the music of Al Sharp.

In 2005 Al started his his own publishing company - Al's Music - and his performance company - Soul Man Productions - performing on the road his Soulman Show singing and performing soul classics of Motown, Stax & Atlantic. All the great classic Soul songs sung by great artists like Marvin Gaye, Al Green & Wilson Pickett to name a few. Out of public demand Al recorded a covers album "Living for the Soul". Al now performs his show all over East Anglia, Norfolk, Suffolk and across the country. Wherever Soul is in demand, that's where he'll be.

Now in 2007, Al has recently completed his most prestigeous album to date - "Love Will Find You". The album took 20 months to put together with Al using very experienced musicians and long time friends.

On the album, Al for the first time sings a duet with soul singer/producer & arranger Kiskadee. The song "Winter Lament" reached the No.1 spot on the internet Soundclick Charts in July this year with over 600 clicks. The duet is tight, soulful and unforgettable written, arranged & produced by Kiskadee. The song lifts the album to heights comparable with the best songs in the music business. "Ain't no rain in heaven", a spiritual song with a gospel choir (backing by Kiskadee), is an original written by the Al Sharp/G. Tingey team. The remainder of the songs are written, arranged and performed by Al.

Al has dedicated this album to his close friend and partner G. Tingey after he passed away earlier this year.

Al is determined to break through and become the recording & performing star of the future. With this release he is now looking for a record deal that will seal his fate. But with that deal or not, Al is here in the music world to stay.

To see Al perform live is to be lifted by his soul and his professionalism, his charisma, his talent and that extraordinary Soulful Voice.