Take A Chance - Brenton Wood from the album Oogum Boogum

Los Angeles, CA—Very few singers ever accomplish what this soul man was able to do: create a lasting and indelible impression on listeners with only a few notes of a song. But that’s exactly what Brenton Wood did on his smash hit “The Oogum Boogum Song” in 1967. The opening piano notes and then Wood’s unique vocal still sounds brand new a half-century later. With his two classic studio albums Oogum Boogum and Baby You Got It recently remastered and his deep soul gems from the vaults: a stirring and deeply personal version of Sam Cooke's Civil Rights anthem "A Change Is Gonna Come" along with "Diamonds," a sought-after song that is among Brenton Wood's most cherished recordings, Brenton Wood has had a career of both mainstream success and underground devotion. All Music Guide recently wrote: “It’s hard not to hear Brenton Wood’s biggest hit, ‘Gimme Little Sign,’ and not be convinced that it very well might be the greatest single ever cut. It relies on no one thing—the song is slinky, surprising and seductive, blessed with a perfect production (the organ break in the middle is positively, eerily beautiful) and a wonderful, understated performance by Wood, who proves with his smooth, sure-handed delivery that he is one of the Brenton Wood arrived on the scene in 1967 with back-to-back hits “The Oogum Boogum Song” and “Gimme Little Sign” that would carry the then-Compton resident from a regional Southern California artist to international stardom. The Los Angeles based independent label Double Shot Records would find immediate success in the late 60’s with Count Five – Psychotic Reaction and Brenton Wood – Oogum Boogum. A hot bed of garage rock and energetic soul mixed with a hint of doo-wop and pop sensibilities, the 7-inch/45 RPM-based label was home to a diverse R&B artist roster including signing what was their highest profile artist yet in Bobby Freeman before the influential label unexpectedly folded at the dawn of the 70’s. During this high-voltage period, Brenton Wood would record eleven 45s and two studio albums, creating a unique soul and pop hybrid style crossed with moving doo wop ballads. #brentonwood #LASoul #LowRiders #Legend

Added 3 Apr 2026