British neo-soul singer Ali has a voice that recalls both Billy Ocean and Luther Vandross, and his 1998 album Crucial updates the sound of '70s-style Philly soul for the new millennium. However, Ali, born Alistair Tennant in East London in 1973, is better known as a songwriter and studio vocalist, having co-written and sung backing vocals on songs from the likes of U.K. reggae-pop star Maxi Priest, bubblegum divas All Saints (he wrote their hit I Don't Wanna Be Alone), boy band equivalent Westlife, and the Lou Pearlman project O-Town. Prior to his solo career, Ali was a member of Rhythm and Bass and one-half of the vocal team Aliway, which he formed with his writing and production partner Wayne Hector and which appeared on records by British teen groups Caught in the Act and 5ive. ~ Stewart Mason, Rovi