I Hear Thunder: The Best of Seventh Avenue

by Seventh Avenue

Overview

With a total of 23 "vocalists" credited on this best-of package, it's clear that Seventh Avenue was more of a conceptual studio group than a cohesive band with chemistry. Guided by famed English dance producer Ian Levine, the moniker Seventh Avenue began with a 1979 disco album -- distributed in the U.S. by AVI -- which featured four males seemingly in their mid-thirties boasting a decidedly gay appeal in their look and material. It would be a few years before any further releases ensued, but the return in the mid-'80s of the "group" brought a more youthful, sexy lineup and replaced the strings-oriented disco of the former with synth-laden Hi-NRG numbers. The music here represents both stages, ranging from the mellow disco arrangement and sublime vocals of "Miami Heat Wave" to the catchy pop refrain and slightly new wave inspired, carnival-esque programming of "The Right Combination." Besides those entries, other strong numbers include the jingle-worthy "Ending Up on a High," the anthemic "Armed Robbery," and the purely pop "Standing by Your Side." Even if all of the vocalists aren't the strongest, the delivery is always heartfelt and personable. This, combined with solid hooks and accessible production, is proof enough that the producer-oriented "boy band" concept was alive and strong well before the advent of New Kids on the Block or Take That. Fans of either of those groups or their more recent successors, such as Backstreet Boys and *NSYNC, will enjoy hearing the rudiments of that sound here. ~ Justin M. Kantor

Product Details

Release Date:	10/24/2011
Label:	Essential Media Mod
UPC:	0894231249822
Rank:	111462

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Seventh Avenue   Primary Artist
Patrick Ward   Vocals
Mark Long   Vocals
Mark Malloy   Vocals
Steve Harper   Vocals
Luis Jardim   Percussion
Chris Rae   Guitar
Mo Foster   Bass
Danny Daniels   Vocals (Background)
Frank Ricotti   Percussion
Peter Van Hooke   Drums
Nick Glennie-Smith   Keyboards
Mel Wesson   Keyboards
Mike Pender   Vocals
Tony O'Keefe   Vocals
Gary Travers   Vocals (Background)
Pete Butler   Bass,Vocals (Background)
Alan Carvell   Vocals (Background)
Alan Jones   Bass
Nigel Stock   Keyboards
Alistair Clay   Vocals (Background)

Technical Credits

Elizabeth Huxley   Photography
Steve Wagner   Producer
Andy Darby   Programming
Kenny Gamble   Composer
Ian Levine   Mixing,Composer,Producer
Craig Milliner   Engineer
Robin Sellars   Engineer
Adam Moseley   Engineer
Fiachra Trench   Composer
John R.T. Davies   Engineer
Leon Huff   Composer
Dave Ford   Engineer,Programming
Hans Zimmer   Programming
Jason Levine   Composer
Stephen Short   Engineer
Nigel Stock   Arranger
Rick Glanatos   Mixing
Phil Da Costa   Engineer
Alistair Clay   Engineer
John Davies   Programming