Jeffrey Osborne 1982

 Jeffrey Osborne is the debut studio album by American singer Jeffrey Osborne. It was released by A&M Records on May 18, 1982. His solo debut after leaving his band L.T.D. for a solo career, Osborne worked with George Duke on the majority of the album, though legal issues had initially prevented him from signing his solo deal with A&M for a whole year. 

 The album reached number 49 on the US Billboard 200 along with three singles, "On the Wings of Love", "I Really Don't Need No Light" and "Eenie Meenie" peaking at numbers 29, 39 and 76 on the Billboard Hot 100, respectively. "On the Wings of Love" also reached number 23 on the Cash Box Top 100 as well as number 7 on the US Adult Contemporary chart, and number 11 in the United Kingdom.

 As vocalist for the group L.T.D., Osborne's booming voice led hits like "Love Ballad," "Where Did We Go Wrong," and "Shine On." The group enjoyed constant success and offered a catalog of well-executed and classic albums including 1977's Something to Love and Togetherness from 1978. In 1982 it came as a complete shock when Osborne made his solo bid. Unlike countless other acts who did the same thing, his self-titled release proves that it was a great decision. Producer George Duke offered Osborne an up-to-the-minute sound with a collection of great studio players ranging from drummer Steve Ferrone to bassist Louis Johnson. That being said, a few of the tracks here don't play to Osborne's strengths as a committed and slightly quirky vocalist. "New Love" and "Eeenie Meenie" are so proficient yet by the numbers anyone could have sung them. The best tracks on this album give him the needed challenges that make him soar. The first single, the moody and rhythmic "Really Don't Need No Light," co-written by Osborne and David "Hawk" Wolinski, benefits from a string arrangement from George Del Barrio. The ballad "You Were Made to Love" not only perfectly captures Duke's uncluttered and precise production style, it also plays to Osborne's emotionality. The last track, "Congratulations," is a great tearjerker that has Osborne's reserve and intellect making it that much better. This is an impressive solo debut from one of R&B and pop's best vocalists. 

 Early solo work by Jeffrey Osborne – cut hot on the heels of his great albums with LTD! The set's got some nicely jazzy production from George Duke – never too over the top, and never as stiff as that used on some of Osborne's later work in the 80s – just nicely grooving in a mellow style, with an approach that makes the most of his deeply soulful vocals. Titles include "New Love", "I Really Don't Need No Light", "On The Wings Of Love", "Ready For Your Love", "You Were Made To Love", and "Baby".