Biography
Born in Sacramento, California, in 1965, Robert F. Brookins embodied genuine versatility as a vocalist, composer, instrumentalist, orchestrator, and studio craftsman. He began performing vocally at age four, took up drums the following year, moved to keyboards at nine, and fronted his own group, Little Robert & the Fondeles, by eleven. That ensemble proved polished enough to outshine numerous competitors and claim victory in Motown’s 1974 Soul Search Contest.
Seven years after completing his education, Earth, Wind & Fire’s Maurice White signed Robert and his brother Michael Brookins to ARC Records, a label then distributed by CBS. Performing as Afterbach, the siblings issued the album Matinee in 1981; although the project earned favorable notices and extensive press coverage, commercial results remained modest. A single titled “It’s You,” paired on a twelve-inch release with the Emotions’ “Turn It Out,” came closest to breaking through.
Brookins subsequently broadened his abilities on guitar, bass, and horn sections, establishing himself as a much-in-demand composer and studio contributor. The roster of artists who cut his material—frequently written with Tony Ray Haynes—reads like an honor roll: the Reddings, Bobby Brown, Stephanie Mills, Deniece Williams, George Howard, Nancy Wilson, Stanley Clarke, Roy Ayers, George Duke, Waymon Tisdale, Keisha Jackson, Everette Harp, the Newtrons, Mystery Man’s Band, Angela Bofil, Kirk Whalum, Joe McBride, Sue Ann, Michael Cooper, the Isley Brothers, the Whispers, and Walter & Scotty.
A guest vocal appearance on George Duke’s self-titled 1986 album secured Brookins a solo contract with MCA Records. He delivered two albums under that deal: In the Night (1987) and Let It Be Me (1988), both featuring a duet with Stephanie Mills. He also played a central role on Jackie Jackson’s 1989 release Be the One, penning the majority of its songs. Reconnecting with the Earth, Wind & Fire organization, he assumed the positions of musical director and keyboardist for the veteran ensemble. Throughout this period he additionally contributed to projects by Benet, Bobby Brown, Analysis, Bruce Hornsby, the Company, and Philip Bailey.
Seven years after completing his education, Earth, Wind & Fire’s Maurice White signed Robert and his brother Michael Brookins to ARC Records, a label then distributed by CBS. Performing as Afterbach, the siblings issued the album Matinee in 1981; although the project earned favorable notices and extensive press coverage, commercial results remained modest. A single titled “It’s You,” paired on a twelve-inch release with the Emotions’ “Turn It Out,” came closest to breaking through.
Brookins subsequently broadened his abilities on guitar, bass, and horn sections, establishing himself as a much-in-demand composer and studio contributor. The roster of artists who cut his material—frequently written with Tony Ray Haynes—reads like an honor roll: the Reddings, Bobby Brown, Stephanie Mills, Deniece Williams, George Howard, Nancy Wilson, Stanley Clarke, Roy Ayers, George Duke, Waymon Tisdale, Keisha Jackson, Everette Harp, the Newtrons, Mystery Man’s Band, Angela Bofil, Kirk Whalum, Joe McBride, Sue Ann, Michael Cooper, the Isley Brothers, the Whispers, and Walter & Scotty.
A guest vocal appearance on George Duke’s self-titled 1986 album secured Brookins a solo contract with MCA Records. He delivered two albums under that deal: In the Night (1987) and Let It Be Me (1988), both featuring a duet with Stephanie Mills. He also played a central role on Jackie Jackson’s 1989 release Be the One, penning the majority of its songs. Reconnecting with the Earth, Wind & Fire organization, he assumed the positions of musical director and keyboardist for the veteran ensemble. Throughout this period he additionally contributed to projects by Benet, Bobby Brown, Analysis, Bruce Hornsby, the Company, and Philip Bailey.
Albums