Naturally Seven
They may have found a new way to make music, but they were never compelled to make up the music themselves. All seven have their preferences, styles, favourite songs--and they can interpret them all. Naturally Seven summon up soul, rap, rock and folk from their throats in harmonious balance; their repertoire consists half of their own compositions, half of cover versions. There are disco classics (Don't Stop The Music, Yarbrough & Peoples), Simon and Garfunkel hits (Bridge Over Troubled Water) and rock ballads (More Than Words, Extreme), while their own R&B numbers easily keep pace with any Neptunes production. (Just to remind you: Naturally Seven use neither instruments or samples for any of this!) The seven vocal giants have found a wonderful way to exploit the variety of their styles-- with a self-directed irony, they dramatize their competing musical interests as comedy.
When big bassist Marcus descends into the depths of Barry White's heartfelt groans, pocket-sized Dwight will come up to him, stop him moaning, then begin to sing himself --a whole octave lower. Whereupon Marcus dutifully airs his falsetto ... There are many such small and big moments in the stage shows of Naturally Seven, spicing their performances with thrills, wit and artistic whimsy. No CD and no video can remotely communicate this amazing entertainment like a live appearance can. Even so, there will be a new album out in the autumn, their second. If the first ("Non-Fiction") was still highly jazzful and musicologically composed, the second will offer a totally new quality of pop music, striking sparks as soon as you hear it, with an organic fizz to it that palpably distinguishes Naturally Seven from the manufactured polish of many R&B bands.
Naturally Seven's members all hail from the New York Metropolitan Area and have been friends and musical partners, in various combinations, for years. The group1⁄4s latest incarnation came together last year when Roger Thomas, Naturally Seven1⁄4s founder, arranger and musical director, added two new voices and began to build intricate seven-part harmonies around a fuller sound, artfully blending gospel, jazz, R&B, hip hop and even classical vocal genres. On selecting Naturally Seven's members, Thomas says, "They have to have a keen ear for complex harmonies, and be eager to experiment and create what doesn't already exist." The six other carefully melded voices are those of Dwight Stewart, Garfield Buckley, Rod Eldridge, Warren Thomas, Marcus Davis and, newest addition, Jamal Reed. Their faith-infused music reaches across denominations, striking common chords of human experience among religious and secular audiences alike. "Most moving is when people find an honesty and spirit in the music. When they are touched right there," Thomas reflects, tapping his chest. For Naturally Seven, the music and the message are inseparable. "We're all about hope. It's spirit, music and entertainment. We want to give you something you remember, that makes you smile and even do the right thing."
Marcis Davis, Warren Thomas, Dwight Stewart, Roderick Eldridge, Roger Thomas, Garfield Buckley, David LaRoche.
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Can Ya Feel It? Open Your Eyes Feel It (In the Air Tonight) Harder Than That How Could It Be? Forever for You Cool Never I Can't Doo Dat 4Life Tradition Fly Baby Let It Rain What I'm Lookin' 4 New York Comfort You Close2Me True Friend (and Family) |
Since we were first blown away by seven-man Contemporary Christian a cappella group Naturally Seven (then simply called Seven) at their win at the 1999 Harmony Sweeps Finals, they have released some very special recordings, "Non Fiction," "Live in Berlin," "What Is It?" and "Christmas A Love Story." "Ready II Fly" is a cut above even those winners, 18 stunning songs that make us look for the "all sounds made by the human voice" disclaimer, and we of course find it. Naturally 7's Christian ministry has tremendous depth and feeling, but what we especially appreciate here is songs like "I Can't Doo Dat," which addresses the issue of women fans approaching these beautiful black men for sex after a concert; "True Friends (and Family)" that speaks to their importance and of acting with integrity; "Cool," which sings of the impressive power of having God in one's life; and "Forever For You" which celebrates the concept of an endless love, for God and one's partner. Lyrically, this is powerful stuff—I think of it as life-changing wisdom being passed on by the ultimate musical role models. "Can You Feel It," "Open Your Eyes," "Feel It in the Air Tonight," "Fly Baby," "Let It Rain"—these are some of the best, most cutting-edge a cappella cuts we have ever heard. "Ready II Fly" is highly recommended, and one of the best of the year. And if you ever have a chance to experience N7 live in concert, even if you have to go to Germany to do it, don't miss it!
Listen to "I Can't Doo Dat" and "How Could It Be?" in RealAudio.
| 2469 CD $15.98 |
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O'Tannenbaum What Day Is It? Love Story Hark, The Herald Angels Sing What Child Is This? (Greensleeves) Can I Play My Song No Christmas Without You Little Drummer Boy In Your Eyes (Baby Girl) Rejoice O Little Town Of Bethlehem O Come, O Come Emmanuel Beethoven's Pastoral Symphony 5th Movement (The Shepherd's Song) We Three Kings If The Lord Allows (Around the world in one) Silent Night Stille Nacht Kiyoshi Kono Yoru Nuit de Paix Noche de Paz Pachelbel's Canon in D O Holy Night Happy Christmas (War Is Over) That Thing / We Wish You A Merry Christmas White Christmas If The Lord Allows Can I Play My Song (Dance Mix) In Your Eyes (Alternate Version) |
In 1999 Naturally Seven had been singing together as a group only a short time when they won the NYC Harmony Sweeps Regionals, then stunned the a cappella world by winning the National Finals in San Rafael. They were quickly signed by PAC Records to record their excellent debut CD, "Non-Fiction." Touring extensively in the US, they went on to create big followings in Japan, Switzerland, Austria and particularly Germany, where they were signed by Sony. These 28 songs, featuring N7žs trademark complex, butter-smooth Gospel harmonies - some favorites: the wonderful originals "What Day Is It?," "Love Story," "No Christmas Without You," "In Your Eyes (Baby Girl)," "Can I Play My Song" and "If the Lord Allows;" and the traditional carols "Hark, The Herald Angels Sing," "What Child Is This?," "Little Drummer Boy" and "Silent Night." Great arrangements include "Rejoice," "Beethoven's Pastoral Symphony 5th Movement (The Shepherd's Song)," "Pachelbel's Canon in D," "Stille Nacht" (German), "Kiyoshi Kono Yoru," (Japanese) "Nuit de Paix," (French) and "Noche de Paz" (Spanish) and "That Thing/We Wish You A Merry Christmas." These seven young men have produced an amazing body of work, and one of the best Holiday CDs of the year!
Listen to "We Three Kings" in RealAudio.
| 2869 CD $15.98 |
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So The Question Is What Is It? Gone With The Wind Broken Wings Another You Music Is The Key I Wanna Be Where U.R. More Than Words No Fool For You Get Ready Say You Love Me Closer Back To The Essence Grace |
The seven deeply spiritual young New York men who called themselves "Seven" and became 1999 Harmony Sweeps Champs now are called Naturally 7 were often asked, "What is it you're doing?" Instead of answering, they wrote a song: "What Is It?" which became the title of their second CD. If the first ("Non-Fiction," on PAC Records) was still highly jazzful and musicologically composed, the second offers a new quality of pop music, striking sparks as soon as you hear it, with an organic fizz to it. Naturally Seven summon up soul, rap, rock and folk from their throats in harmonious balance; their repertoire consists half of their own compositions, half of cover versions. At first listen, we were certain that the group had gone top 40 and was using a hot soul band, until we read the disclaimer "All Sounds A Cappella, all musical sounds crated by the human voice." Listen to the title tune, the Kool & The Gang-flavored "I Wanna Be Where U.R. (Rescue Me)," or "No Fool For You," and you'll hear the a cappella envelope being seriously pushed. 14 songs, hard to pick favorites, but a funky "Broken Wings" cover, "Another You," "Get Ready," "Say You Love Me," "Closer," "Back to the Essence" and "Grace" work for us. The fact that for several years the group has been been busy creating a huge following in Germany, Switzerland and Japan is our loss in the US. One of the best, most influential CDs of the year, on many levels, Beautiful and extensive liner notes.
Listen to "What Is It?" in RealAudio.
| 2872 CD $15.98 |
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Opening Meditation (The Path I Take) Theme From Mahogany Sit - Back - Relax WDRG-AM Bridge Over Troubled Water All Of You ...At The Tone Born To Worship Last Days Blessed Assurance Y'All Hear Dat Train Last Days (Reprise) Bless This House Closing Meditation (The Path I Take) Have I Ever Told You (Bonus Track) |
The first recording from the 1999 Harmony Sweepstakes winners,
who enthralled the audience will their radiant countenances and joyful energy.
These young singers from New York, though having performed as a unit for only
a few short months, displayed an impressive maturity and sophistication. Their
gospel background has been good preparation for the brilliant rainbow of tonalities
that characterize their technically ambitious, yet passionate approach. The
original compositions were written by the group; they also write their own arrangements.
With seven voices, they have a palette to choose from that is deep, intense
and brilliant. Definitely influenced by Take 6 (their rendition of "Bless This
House" attests to this), their sound is more urbanized, funkier, immediate,
as heard on the vocal percussion driven "Train". Lyrically, "Non-Fiction" espouses
themes of salvation and redemption, but songs such as "Last Days," and their
incredible interpretation of "Bridge Over Troubled Water" require no affiliation,
aside from a love of captivating harmony.
Listen to the following in Real Audio:
"Sit - Back - Relax"
"Bless This
House"
"Bridge Over
Troubled Water"
| 2800 CD $14.98 |
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Fly Baby Can Ya Feel It? Broken Wings Another You What Is It? (Excuse Me) Say You Love Me Simon & Garfunkel Medley Back to The Essence / Solos Feel It (In The Air Tonight) Open Your Eyes |
Naturally 7 brought their unique style of Vocal Play to Montreux in 2007. These seven incredibly talented singers from New York manage to sound like a full band without the use of any instruments other than their voices and have been wowing audiences around the world. This concert marked Naturally 7's first appearance at the festival and their distinctive arrangements of tracks such as :In The Air Tonight", "Broken Wings", and "Sounds Of Silence" marked a new chapter in their ongoing success story.
| 2874 DVD $15.95 |
When we last saw and heard Naturally 7 live, they were called
"Seven," dressed in matching dark suits and confidently blowing away the Harmony
Sweeps Finals competition on a San Rafael stage in 1999. "Live In Berlin" was
recorded live at the "Meilenwerk" concert hall in Berlin, March 13th, 2004,
and the guys are looking fine, dressed like rap stars at a music awards show,
but the story here is the amazing talent of these men, and their music. 12 songs:
"Sit Back, Relax" welcomes us in, and Jamal Reed's guitar solo on "BMG (Be My
Guest)" is one of the best we've heard. Their opening number at the Finals,
"Bless This House," is even better than we remember, as is "Amazing Grace,"
and a stunning "Simon and Garfunkel Medley" reminds us of their show-stopper
"Bridge Over Troubled Water." The good stuff keeps coming with "Say You Love
Me," "Back To The Essence," a stunning arrangement of "Another You," the title
tune of their second CD, "What Is It," "Have I Ever Told You" and "Music Is
The Key." Throughout there is great camera work, close-ups of the group and
the appreciative audience. There is some very cool bonus material: "First Time
in Japan," "At Telecom," an interview with Nat7 at the hotel lobby, "Photo Gallery"
and "Biography." The guys are stars, and this amazing DVD leaves no doubt of
that!
| 2873 DVD $19.98 |
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