SEVEN – 7 [Japanese Edition +1] *HQ*

320_1 /// 320_2 /// HQ

The roots of SEVEN can originally be traced to South Africa, but it’s in Bournemouth in the UK that this band first flourished so to speak and after releasing two acclaimed singles on Polydor back in late Eighties / early Nineties with studio work undertaken alongside John Parr, and numerous support shows with the likes of Richard Marx, Brother Beyond, The Monkees – amongst others.
The future looked bright for the band indeed. Unfortunately the usual ‘internal struggles’ that have blighted so many careers before them caused the band to soon split soon afterwards.
However praise the AOR gods because in 2014 the powers that be (at Escape Music) have got the original group back together to complete or maybe start some unfinished musical business with the release of SEVEN’s comeback album simply titled ”7”. This Japanese Edition CD includes an exclusive bonus track.
Opener “Shoot To Kill” immediately gets the album into gear with all the musical elements that will no doubt enthrall any AOR aficionado out there with a sound not too distant from the likes of Foreigner, FM or John Parr.

After a 25 year hiatus (if you want to call it that) the sound of the songs which were written in that period manage to sound contemporary, and the musical evidence is there for all to see with the inclusion of the group’s 1990 single “Inside Love” a fine slice of AOR-tastic glamour and elegance.
Ballad “Diana” is included early on and as per expectation from a release from this particular genre it is top drawer.

After this there are some really fine hook laden moments to be found throughout this eleven song collection, with tunes such as the melodic rocker “Still”, “Headlights”, the wonderful “America” and the extremely melodic “Thru The Night” in particular shining brightly.
There’s also exquisite arrangements on “Don’t Break My Heart” and the super-fine but delicate “Say Goodbye” close the regular release down in fine style.
Japanese edition bonus track “Charlie” is a classy midtempo AOR ballad with intense vocals and a general atmosphere / production taking you back to the late ’80s.

Playing alongside original members Mick Devine, Keith Mcfarlane, Pat Davey, Simon Lefevre and Austin Oz Lane, on “7” there are also some notable guest artists including the awesome Mark Mangold (Touch, American Tears), guitar master Mike Slamer, and wait for this….. the legend that is Mr Didge Digital (FM) adding their musical expertise to the overall equation.

Brilliantly produced by Swede Lars Chris, “7” sounds crisp and smooth.
This is the kind of AOR that takes you high to stars over a fresh summer breeze. It’s elegant, delicate, melodic, very well arranged and played.
A must have for any real AOR fan.

Ｒ Ｕ Ｂ Ｉ Ｃ Ｏ Ｎ   Ｍ Ｕ Ｓ Ｉ Ｃ  Ｊ Ａ ＰＡ Ｎ
RBNCD~1164 セヴン/

01. Shoot To Kill
02. Inside Love
03. Diana
04. Still
05. Headlines
06. Strangers
07. America
08. Thru The Night
09. Never Too Late
10. Don’t Break My Heart
11. Say Goodbye
12. Charlie (Japanese bonus track)

Mick Devine (Lead Vocals)
Keith McFarlane (Guitar, Vocals)
Pat Davey (Bass, Vocals)
Simon Le Fevre (Keyboards, Vocals)
Austin “Oz” Lane (Drums)

Additional Musicians:
Mike Slamer (Lead Guitar)
Lars Chris (Guitars, Drums)
Andy Loos (Bass)
Mark Mangold (Keyboards)
Adam Wakeman (Keyboards)
Fredrick Bergh (Keyboards)
Dig Digital (Keyboards)
Tomas Coox (Piano, Strings Arrangements)
Shuji Matsumoto (Fretless Bass On 6)
Josh Devin, Ben Devine (Backing Vocals On 2)

BUY
www.cdjapan.co.jp/product/RBNCD-1164