NATURALLY 7
É um grupo vocal negro de New York. Seu líder e criador, Roger Thomas, criou para a sua música uma nova classificação: eles não são um grupo "à capella", mas sim "vocal play" que, segundo ele, isso significa cantar emulando instrumentos. (Essa mania de rotular...) Então que assim seja, embora existam muitos outros grupos que fazem o mesmo tipo de vocalização, tal como o cubano "Vocal Sampling", que não inventou nenhum neologismo latino para se enquadrar.
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NATURALLY 7:
The origins of the group date back to New York City in 1999 when Roger Thomas started the group with his brother, Warren, and five other talented singers they had come to know over the years from singing around the city. Having been in and out of several traditional male groups over the years, Roger developed an affinity for a cappella sounds and a unique ability to create distinct harmony arrangements. When invited to sing at a major a cappella competition in New York, they won the competition, moved onto the nationals and took away two more wins. Riding the wave of this newfound success and still unable to decide if Naturally 7 were going to be an a cappella group or a traditional band, Roger had a novel idea: they could be both. After all, Roger thought, if the human voice truly was an instrument, it should not matter which instrument it needed to be. And for Naturally 7, it really didn’t matter; “Vocal Play” was born. What is the difference between Vocal Play and a cappella? A cappella is defined as singing without instruments. Vocal Play is singing AS instruments, and BECOMING an instrument with the voice. What makes Naturally 7 special is that every instrument sound that they sing is created from the human voice. There are no actual drums, guitars, horns, flutes, or any other instrument that is heard when listening to them perform; it’s the band members playing each of their vocal instruments. With their rich harmonies, an unbelievable ability to replicate instruments and a stage presence that can be felt in every seat of the house, Naturally 7, the first vocal play group ever, are amazing, charming fans where ever they perform. Today Naturally 7 are Roger Thomas (musical director, arranger, 1st Baritone, Rap ), Warren Thomas (percussion, guitar, clarinet, 3rd tenor) Rod Eldridge (1st tenor, scratching, trumpet), Jamal Reed (4th Tenor, electric guitar), Dwight Stewart (2nd baritone) , Garfield Buckley (2nd Tenor, Harmonica) and “Hops” Hutton (Bass).
(Source: myspace, edited by CB)
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ALBUM REVIEW
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 of their
own compositions, cover versions (Bridge Over Troubled Water, Amazing grace), rock ballads (More Than Words) 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.
(Souce: www.singers.com - edited by CB)
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MINHA OPINIÃO:
Antes de mais nada: não tenho muita paciência com essa coisa de emular instrumentos. Acho chato, sem graça, "boring"...Para mim essa classificação de "vocal play" é bobagem: os caras cantam mesmo é "à capella" e o fazem com perfeição. Claro que a fonte é aquela, velha conhecida: o TAKE SIX, na qual todos os grupos do gênero bebem, e muito. Mas os rapazes do N7 têm talento de sobra, dominam as técnicas de vocalização e produzem música de grande qualidade. Estão no topo, entre os melhores do gênero.
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NATURALLY 7: Wall of sound
NATURALLY 7:
Roger "N..glish" Thomas - 1st Baritone, Rap
Dwight Stewart - 2nd Baritone
Rod Eldridge - 1st Tenor, Scratching, Trumpet
Garfield Buckley - 2nd Tenor, Harmonica
Jamal Reed - 4th Tenor
Warren Thomas - Percussion, Guitar, 3rd Tenor
"Hops" Hutton - Bass
TRACKS/FAIXAS:
1. Wall Of Sound 3:09
2. Feel It (In The Air Tonight) 4:44
3. As Tears Go By 3:05
4. Gone With The Wind 3:15
5. Broken Wings 4:19
6. More Than Words 4:23
7. What I'm Lookin' 4 4:27
8. Closer Now 4:11
9. Heaven Knows 3:46
10. It Is What It Is 3:20
11. Let It Rain (Harmony Mix) 3:59
12. U Can't Hear Me 3:56
13. Bridge Over Trouble Water 4:21
14. Say You Love Me 4:00
15. Amazing Grace 5:07
