In order to make inroads into the sales charts, a group or performer generally needs a gimmick to gain and keep attention. In the case of Brenton Wood, the gimmick was a strong voice that could take command of diverse and/or difficult material and make it accessible without sacrificing aesthetics. Born Alfred Jesse Smith in Shreveport, Louisiana. He moved west to San Pedro, California as a child. When his family relocated to nearby Compton during his high school years, Brenton Wood became a member of the Compton High School track team, where he was the recipient of several awards for his athletic achievements.Following his high school graduation, Wood enrolled in Compton College, he assumed the name Brenton Wood, naming himself after his home county. During this period was where his musical interests finally began to manifest themselves. Duly inspired by Jesse Belvin and Sam Cooke, Wood began to cultivate his songwriting skills and also became an accomplished pianist.After signing with Double Shot Records, Wood had a hit single in the spring of 1967 with "The Oogum Boogum Song", which reached number 19 on the R&B charts and number 34 pop.
