Al Broomfield

Alfred Lamar Broomfield (29 September 1954 – 13 August 2019; Vidalia, Georgia, United States), better known as Al Broomfield, was an American soul and R&B singer and multi-instrumentalist. A pivotal member of the prolific Broomfield musical family—which includes siblings Eugene Wilde, Dee Dee Wilde, Vincent Broomfield, and Aaron Broomfield—he is recognised for his warm vocal delivery and extensive skills on the tenor saxophone, drums, and guitar. He came to wider prominence with the 1987 album Broomfield, which featured the successful single "Don't Cover Up Your Feelings".

Early Life

Broomfield spent his early years in Vidalia within a musically active family, where singing and instrumental practice were part of daily life. The family later relocated to Miami, Florida, where his musical development accelerated; local radio—steeped in gospel, Southern soul, and contemporary R&B—shaped his tastes, while school and church settings provided opportunities to perform and refine his technique.

He mastered several instruments as a teenager, building the foundation for his later work as a self-reliant writer, arranger, and performer. The parallel careers of his siblings reinforced a shared family pathway into professional music, with Al often serving as a mentor to his younger brothers, including Vincent and Aaron.

Career

Active on stage and in the studio, Broomfield initially performed with local bands such as The Chevrons and Shades of Brown before joining his brother Aaron in the family funk group Broomfield Corporate Jam. He issued his self-titled album Broomfield in 1987 on the Vision label. The record drew attention for sleek, late-1980s R&B sonics and layered harmonies, with "Don't Cover Up Your Feelings" becoming its standout track and finding particular favour in the UK soul market.

Through this period, he developed a reputation for song-centred soul and polished arrangements. While public discographies focus primarily on his late 1980s output, he also released a second studio album, Certain Kinds of Weather, in 1991 on N-Effekt Records, and returned to the studio later in life to record lead vocals for Cool Million's 2010 track "Stay Close".

Personal Life

Broomfield was a central figure in a musical dynasty, maintaining close professional and personal ties with his siblings throughout his life. He reportedly stepped back from the industry in the 1990s but returned to performance following the tragic loss of his son in 2008.

Al Broomfield died on 13 August 2019 in Miami, Florida.