Randy Hall
Randy Hall is an American soul/R&B singer, guitarist, songwriter, and producer best known for his collaborations with jazz legend Miles Davis in the 1980s.
Hall grew up in Chicago and began with piano before switching to guitar at age 13 under British jazz guitarist Peter Budd. He developed a Wes Montgomery-inspired thumb-picking style and later studied at Berklee College of Music in Boston starting in 1975.
In Chicago bands like Data and AL7, Hall played with future Miles Davis collaborators including Robert Irving III, Felton Crews, and Glenn Burris. He co-wrote and sang lead on "The Man with the Horn," the title track of Davis's 1981 comeback album, also contributing guitar, synthesizer, and celesta. Hall produced Davis's unreleased 1985 Rubberband album (later issued in 2019) with a team including Adam Holzman and Steve Reid.
After The Man with the Horn, Hall joined the soul/funk band Pleasure and released his debut solo album I Belong to You in 1984 on MCA Records, produced by Ray Parker Jr., featuring hits like "I've Been Watching You" (US R&B #18). His 1988 follow-up Love You Like a Stranger included "Slow Starter" (US R&B #36). He has since produced for artists like Elliott Small and released singles into the 2010s.
Hall lives in Las Vegas with a production studio, performing locally and internationally while touring with acts like Diana Ross and The Jacksons. Recent output includes collaborations and singles like "A Beautiful Dream."
I Belong To You
A2 A Real Man (Douglas Smith, Randy Hall 4:20)
A3 I Belong To You Glen Burris, Randy Hall 5:23)
A4 A Gentleman (Glen Burris, Randy Hall 4:12)
A5 Older Woman, Younger Man (Randy Hall 4:18)
B1 Feel My Eyes (Randy Hall, Robert Irving III 5:12)
B2 Glamour Boy (J.D. Nicholas, Randy Hall 4:33)
B3 She's My Little Star (Randy Hall 3:45)
B4 I Want To Touch You (Douglas Smith, Randy Hall 4:45)
Label: MCA Records – MCA-5504
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1984
Genre: Eighties R&B Soul
Style: Electronic Disco Funk
I Belong to You is the debut solo album by American singer, guitarist, and producer Randy Hall, released on the MCA label. The album is a contemporary R&B record with strong influences of funk, electro-funk, and soul, capturing the essence of mid-1980s R&B music.
The album was produced by Ray Parker Jr., and his production style is notably present throughout the record, particularly in the arrangements. Hall's vocals have been noted for their dynamic range and ability to evoke comparisons to other prominent '80s artists like Michael Jackson, Prince, and Michael McDonald.
It features a mix of powerful electro-funk tracks and grooving ballads and includes his biggest hit to date, the opening song "I've Been Watching You (Jamie's Girl)". Other highlights include the title track, the funky "A Real Man," and the ballad "I Want To Touch You".
Before his solo debut, Randy Hall was known for his work with the funk band Pleasure and was a key collaborator in Miles Davis's early 1980s comeback.