By Dan Altman
UHCLIDIAN STAFF

Despite poor weather, an energetic crowd recently enjoyed an outstanding performance by vocal band Naturally Seven. The New York acappella group visited Houston to promote their album "Non-Fiction," and clearly left the audience entertained.

Using only their voices for background sound, Naturally Seven proved to be more talented than many better known R&B acts. Their hour-long show was nothing short of spectacular as the seven vocalists all showed a wide range of musical talents.

Winners of the 1999 Harmony Sweepstakes Acappella Festival and recent recipients of a six-album record deal with Sony, Naturally Seven showed great versatility. Whether it was Roger Thomas wittily rhyming or Marcus Davis providing the important bass sounds, the group showed intricate unity for such a large band.

Warren Thomas, Roderick Edleridge, Garfield Buckley, Jamal Reed, Roger Thomas, Dwight Stewart and Marcus Davis prepare for their perfomance.
photo by Angela Stone

Warren Thomas, Roger's younger brother, gives the group their percussion effects. Similar to world-renowned, beat-box Rahzel, of Philadelphia's The Roots, with his mouth Thomas can simulate the sound of drums, guitars, horns and numerous other big band instruments. Thomas even made sounds similar to that of a scratching record, bringing excitement to the crowd.

Throughout the show, Naturally Seven continually involved the crowd, either asking them to sing along, clap or dance with the group. Dwight Stewart, a former solo R&B singer, even took his show into the seats, asking audience members to sing into his microphone.

The group did a beautiful rendition of 1980s rock group Extreme's hit, More Than Words. The original version of the song featured only a guitar and a vocalist. Naturally Seven's composition of the song was incredible.

"People that didn't come out missed out," said Karen Sprouse, anthropology major. "It was awesome."

Inspired by many different types of music, Naturally Seven varied its style from gospel to hip-hop and kept the crowd on their toes. Stewart and the elder Thomas stated they grew up listening to the Jackson 5, Stevie Wonder and Ella Fitzgerald. Their wide range of musical influence helps to make them such a diverse group.

"It was a real nice concert," said Vodnier Bright, who attended the show with his girlfriend, a UH-Clear Lake student. "The show was a lot better than many of the popular acts today. I really liked the audience interaction."

With a new album slated for release early next year and the new deal with Sony Records, Naturally Seven is on the way up, and definitely deserve to be.

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