Supreme 7From the Heart
LowRush Records (2012)
By Bob Marovich for The Black Gospel Blog
The Supreme 7 of Jacksonville, Florida likes the old time way and makes no bones about it.
On the hip-slapping, “The Old Time Way,” a crowd-pleaser that opens their 2012 album, From the Heart, the group recalls a time when church left “everybody happy” and they personally could understand what choirs were singing about.
Founded in 1995 by Antwione K. Peterson and Marcus A. Allen, and comprised of former members of the Gospel Keynotes and Fantastic Violinaires, the Supreme 7 delivers a soulful traditional quartet sound, Southern-style. Their high harmonies are a product of the Violinaires influence, while their funky, bass arrangements evoke the latter-day Keynotes.
Drive-tempo songs are the group’s strong suit, and From the Heart has more than the normal share of them. In addition to “The Old Time Way,” listeners will enjoy “Working for Jesus” and “When I Get There,” an evocation of heaven peppered with traditional gospel tropes of the starry crown and shouting troubles over.
Whether on the quick- or mid-tempo songs, the Supreme 7 prove themselves to be masters of the vamp. It is there that the quartet intensifies selections with shouting, preaching, and rhythmic harmonizing.
The group dalliances with the classics, putting a funky spin on “I’ll Fly Away” and hinting at “Angels Watching Over Me” on “All Night,” but singing instead about blessings. “Available To You” interpolates the hymn “I Surrender All.”
The baker’s dozen selections on From the Heart are radio-sized and hit or miss based on the quality of the lead vocalist. Regardless, they share producer Ray Braswell Jr.’s keen quartet sensitivity.
Three of Five Stars
Picks: “The Old Time Way,” “When I Get There.”
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Written by : Bob Marovich
Bob Marovich is a gospel music historian, author, and radio host. Founder of Journal of Gospel Music blog (formally The Black Gospel Blog) and producer of the Gospel Memories Radio Show.
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This is my first time reading the review on the Supreme 7. I appreciate and enjoy it. Thank you for your insight!!