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1999 National Champions
Naturally 7
Male Christian Septet from New York City, NY
"Bridge Over Troubled Waters"
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. Founded: 1998 Members: Warren Thomas, Dwight Stewart, Garfield Buckley, Rod Elderidge, Marcus Davis, Roger Thomas, David Laroche Contact Naturally 7      
Put You Onto ThisNPR Tiny Desk Contest 2018 - Written by Simuel Stevenson, Jarrett Johnson & Roger Thomas
Another YouA fan-favorite song for many years, we finally found a location we feel worthy of the depth of these lyrics
Love StoryLead Vocals by Dwight Stewart and Sean Simmonds
Drummer Boy(Harry Simeone, Katherine Kennicott Davis, Henry Onorati)
True Friends and FamilyWords and Music by Hopeton Thomas
Love in Hip HopTime to get to the bottom of it... Which was the greatest era of Hip-Hop: 80s or 90s. Let the debate begin! |
Profile for Naturally 7 on singers.com
 | Naturally 7: Both Sides NowBoth Sides Now is Naturally 7's seventh studio-album. It represents a further remarkable development for the renowned vocal-group from NYC. Some of their previous biggest successes were notable interpretations of global hits from Phil Collins' "Feel It (In The Air Tonight)"; Coldplay's epic "Fix You" to their self-penned "Wall Of Sound". All of which they performed during three world tours with Michael Buble in 467 shows to over 4 million people in 25 countries. Both Sides Now is driven by wonderfully rich and warm harmonies in stellar vocal arrangements combined with Naturally 7's unique talents to perform a variety of instruments simply using their voices. The album contains of classics spanning over a century: from Anton Dvorak "Going Home", England's most patriotic Hymn "Jerusalem" to Roberta Flack's "The First Time, Ever I Saw Your Face", Sting's "Shape Of My Heart" featuring A Cappella-Youtube-sensation Peter Hollens, Paul McCartney's "Pipes Of Peace", the title-track: Joni Mitchell's "Both Sides Now" all the way to a very special version of Adele's "Hello" feat. German megastar Helene Fischer, as well as the group's original song, which always closes their live-show: "Caught In The Moment" featuring Naturally 7 fan Pentatonix' Kevin Olusola on cello. Kevin's excitement to work with the band comes as no surprise, as many admire the seven as the modern "Godfathers" of the vocal genre.
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 | Naturally 7: Christmas A Love StoryIn 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, while recording 4 more CDs, one of them "Christmas...It's a Love Story." 28 songs, featuring Nat 7's 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." Also nice are "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!
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 | Naturally 7: Hidden In Plain SightWhen we first heard and saw these seven beautiful singers, on the stage of the 1999 National Harmony Sweeps Finals in San Rafael, CA, they were the NY Regional Champs, a gospel group called "Seven," recently formed as a group and unknown on the a cappella scene. A sublime 12 minute set later they were the surprise winners, and these talented, soulful men have never looked back since then! Their latest release, of many excellent albums and DVDs we've praised in the Singers.com catalog, "Hidden in Plain Sight," is a wonder, and has drawn superstar-like attention. Difficult to pick favorites among these 14 cuts, but a cover of Coldplay's hit "Fix You," an audience favorite on their live shows, also stands out for us, "Galileo" features a wonderful (and actually licensed) sample of Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody," and the gorgeous, elemental "Mahalia" samples Mahalia Jackson's "Trouble of the World" while giving a nod to the group's spiritual roots. Other favorites are what group front man Roger Thomas calls "Hybrids," where the group takes well-known songs like Wham's "Everything She Wants" and makes it the impetus for their own song, "Life Goes On;" and the group imitates all the instruments on Art of Noise's "Moments in Love," bringing their own song into the mix. "Rhapsody to the Queen" is another favorite of the group's eight originals on the album. It's clear to us how much Naturally 7 has become the cutting edge in the a cappella world by all the reviewers who rave about how 7 showcases the "awesome power of the human voice." This is what we've been talking about for decades when reviewing truly transcendent, envelope-pushing artists. Naturally 7 has clearly risen to this rare, atmospheric level, and we would invite you to celebrate this achievement with us by treating yourself to "Hidden in Plain Sight!"
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 | Naturally 7: Non FictionThe 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.
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 | Naturally 7: Ready II FlySince 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!
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 | Naturally 7: Wall of SoundHere is a "best of" collection from one of the most innovative a cappella groups performing today.
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 | Naturally 7: What Is It?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.
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 | Naturally 7: Live at MontreuxNaturally 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.
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 | Naturally 7: Live In BerlinWhen 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! In Dolby Digital 5.1
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