After 7New Jack Swing Hall Of Fame:
After 7
Emerging onto the scene in the late summer of 1989 with “Ready Or Not,” the three gentlemen of After 7 struck the perfect balance between New Jack Swing coolness, and 80s contemporary soul. Two members were brothers of Babyface (Melvin and Kevon Edmonds), while one was a cousin of L.A. Reid (Keith Mitchell). After 7’s debut album contained two more hits: “Can’t Stop” and “Heat Of The Moment.”
What made After 7 so special was their plush harmonies – they also laid down vocals on work by Bobby Brown (Rock Witcha/remix) and Johnny Gill. (Although I don’t have a confirmation of this fact, I remember hearing that Boyz II Men’s “End Of The Road” was originally penned for After 7!) ~ A.K.
In 1992, After 7 returned with Takin My Time featuring the hits “Baby I’m For Real” and “Truly Something Special.” In 1995, After 7 released their last project Reflections one last hit, “Till You Do Me Right.” But more than anything, it was After 7’s “Ready Or Not” that captured the R&B soulpower of the New Jack Era.
In 1999, Kevon Edmonds released 24/7, a critically well-recieved album that achieved moderate success. A new album is planned for 2009. The group has been performing one-off dates in recent years.
