Osiris

Biography

Osiris Marsh, known professionally as Osiris, is a soul and funk vocalist hailing from Washington, D.C., born in the 1950s. He began singing at the age of five in church, captivating friends and family with his early performances. By his teenage years, Osiris was harmonizing with local vocal groups such as The Romantics and later formed his own doo-wop outfit, The Stridells, with schoolmates from Eastern High School. His early years were marked by a deep immersion in the rich musical culture of D.C., where he honed his craft in vocal harmony and performance.

In the early 1970s, Osiris co-founded the group Destiny, a versatile vocal ensemble that blended avant-garde harmonies with soul and funk influences. Destiny opened for prominent acts like Rare Earth and New Birth and released a single on RCA Records. Osiris's songwriting and vocal talents led him to join The Family, where he wrote and co-wrote every song on their 1977 album 'Music,' which charted on the R&B charts. After leaving The Family, Osiris continued as a solo artist, building his own studio, writing over a hundred songs, and releasing new material well into the 1990s. His enduring career has made him a respected figure in the D.C. soul and funk scene, with a dedicated following in the U.S. and Japan, though he remains relatively underappreciated internationally.

Fun Facts

• Osiris began singing in church at age five, performing 'Jesus Loves Me' for his first audience.
• He formed his first vocal group, The Stridells, in high school and won local talent show competitions.
• Destiny, his 1970s group, was noted for its vocal versatility, performing styles later popularized by groups like Take 6 and Manhattan Transfer.
• Osiris wrote or co-wrote every song on The Family's 1977 album 'Music,' which charted on the R&B charts.

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

• George Parker - Producer and early collaborator who helped Osiris form Destiny and guided his early professional recording efforts. (Destiny's single 'So Much Love') [early 1970s]

Key Collaborators

• Maceo Bond - Keyboardist and frequent collaborator in Destiny, The Family, and Osiris's solo work. (Destiny, The Family's 'Music' LP, solo recordings) [1970s–1990s]
• Tyrone Brunson - Bassist in Destiny and The Family, contributed to Osiris's signature sound. (Destiny, The Family) [1970s]
• Sha-Sha Stapleton - Percussionist featured on Osiris's solo recordings. (Solo single 'Forever' (1997)) [1990s]

Discography

Top Tracks

1. Puta (Puta)
2. Ignorante (Ignorante)
3. Intento (Intento)
4. Tiempo (Tiempo)
5. AMNTQD (AMNTQD)
6. Peine 30 (Peine 30)
7. Haters
8. Ella se deja ve (Ella se deja ve)
9. CAROLINA REAPER (CAROLINA REAPER)
10. Humo y nicotina (Humo y nicotina)

External Links

• Spotify
• MusicBrainz

Tags: #neo-prog, #progressive-rock