Brenton Wood

Alfred Jesse Smith (July 26, 1941 – January 3, 2025), known professionally as Brenton Wood, was an American singer and songwriter. Three 1967 singles of Wood's, "The Oogum Boogum Song" (peaking at No. 34 on the US Billboard Hot 100), "Gimme Little Sign" (reached No. 9), and "Baby You Got It" (also peaking at No. 34) were hits.

Early life and education Alfred Jesse Smith was born in Shreveport in northwest Louisiana on July 26, 1941. Wood's "Baby You Got It" (1967) peaked at No. 34 on the Hot 100 during the last week of 1967. His backing band during the 1960s was the LA-based Kent and The Candidates, which was led by drummer Kent Sprague. They also recorded several singles for the Double Shot label.

1970s In 1972, Wood formed his own record label and released, co-produced and co-wrote the track "Sticky Boom Boom [Too Cold] Part I and II" with collaborators George Semper (co-producer, arranger) and Al McKay (co-writer, performer) of Earth, Wind & Fire fame. Wood also recorded a duet with Shirley Goodman. Wood's next song on the charts was "Come Softly to Me" in 1977. which included contemporary re-recordings of his early hits, along with several new tracks, including the single, "Soothe Me". His album This Love Is for Real was released in 2001. Among his later appearances was in 2006 on the Los Angeles public access program Thee Mr. Duran Show, where Wood and his band performed several of his hit singles.

In 2014, he partnered with William Pilgrim & The All Grows Up for a remake of the song "Gimme Little Sign" on their album, Epic Endings.

In 2024, Wood announced his farewell tour Catch You On The Rebound: The Last Tour. He was hospitalized in May 2024, pausing his farewell tour.

He died at his home in Moreno Valley, California, on January 3, 2025, at the age of 83.

In September 2025, Wood was selected for induction into the National Rhythm and Blues Hall of Fame.

Discography

Albums Studio Oogum Boogum (1967) – (Double Shot) – Billboard Hot 200 No. 184 Gimme Little Sign (1967) – (Liberty) – 'UK version of Oogum Boogum ' Baby You Got It (1967) Come Softly (1977) – (Cream) Out of the Woodwork (1986) – (Golden Oldies) Sweet Old School (1995) Classic By Design (2000) This Love Is for Real (2001) Lord Hear My Prayer (2009)

Compilations Brenton Wood's 18 Best (1991) 18 More of the Best, Vol. 2 (1999) Better Believe It (2000) – (Demon / Westside)

Singles "Kangaroo" (1960) "Hide-a-Way" (1963) "I Want Love" (1966) (his name appears as "Breton Wood") "Sweet Molly Malone" (1966) "The Oogum Boogum Song" (1967) – US Billboard Hot 100 No. 34; US R&B No. 19; CAN RPM Top 100 No. 31; CAN RPM Top R&B No. 6; "Gimme Little Sign" (1967) – US Billboard Hot 100 No. 9; US R&B No. 19; UK Singles Chart No. 8; CAN RPM Top 100 No. 17 "Baby You Got It" (1967) – US Billboard Hot 100 No. 34; US R&B No. 30; CAN RPM Top R&B No. 16 "Lovey Dovey Kinda Lovin'" (1968) – US Billboard Hot 100 No. 99 "Some Got It, Some Don't" (1968) – US Billboard R&B No. 42 "Kid Games And Nursery Rhymes" (1968) "It's Just a Game, Love" (1968) "Il treno" (1969) (sung in Italian - Italy only) "A Change Is Gonna Come" (1969) – US Billboard "Bubbling Under" No. 131 "Il tuo ritorno" (1969) (sung in Italian - Italy only) "Whoop It On Me" (1969) "Great Big Bundle of Love" (1970) "Boogaloosa Louisian'" (1970) "Sad Little Song" (1971) "Sticky Boom Boom (Too Cold)" (1972) "You're Beautiful People" (1973) "Another Saturday Night" (1973) "All That Jazz" (1975) "Rainin' Love (You Gotta Feel It)" (1975) "It Only Make Me Want It More" (1975) "Bless Your Little Heart" (1976) "Come Softly To Me" (1977) – US R&B No. 92