AllMusic editor Ed Hogan found that "while it could be argued that Osborne's A&M albums were generally "too pop," he seems absolutely regenerated on Only Human, digging his vocal chops into material that accommodates his extensive range. It's a head-scratcher as to why this is his only Arista release; it would have been very interesting to hear Osborne continue in this mode."[3]Entertainment Weekly wrote that "Osborne’s voice is so silky and warm that he can anchor a varied collection of songs – ranging from the up-tempo [...] to the more personal, blustery [...] For any other singer, such an eclectic mix of musical styles like in Only Human, might seem like a desperate, unfocused grab for pop-chart success. But for Osborne it’s merely a reflection of a 20-year-long career that has dominated both black and pop radio [...] For all his forays into many musical genres, Osborne seems most at home, as he always has, in the ballads, where the drum machines don’t crowd his voice."[4] Ian Cranna in Q Magazine remarked that "the chief pleasure here is in Osborne's confident, accomplished singing".[1]
Garvey Clark Jr. – recording and mix assistant (2, 4, 5, 7, 9, 10, 11)
Mike Harlow – recording and mix assistant (2, 4, 5, 7, 9, 10, 11)
Dave Lebowitz – recording and mix assistant (2, 4, 5, 7, 9, 10, 11)
Tracy Chisholm – assistant engineer (6)
Kimm James – assistant engineer (8)
Carolyn Quan – art direction, design
Adrian Buckmaster – photography
Cecille Parker – wardrobe stylist
Rudy Calvo – grooming, make-up
Jack Nelson – management
Studios
Recorded at Axis Studios, East Bay Studios, Soundtrack Studios and Greene Street Recording (New York, NY); Studiodad Digital (Brooklyn, NY); Wings West Recording (Northridge, CA).
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