After phenomenal audience reaction and critical acclaim for Oscar, this is Columbia Records attempt to put Oscar not only in a new mood, but also in a new light. The album is conducted by Al Cohn, with arrangements by Ralph Burns, and includes “Work Song,” which is the only lyric by OBJ- although he does inflect his own take on “Straighten Up and Fly Right.” The label was focused on diluting his originality and associating more accepted songs to the entertainer. Oscar said they told him he was “too messagey.”