You Don't Have To Be Afraid
This award-winning Christian sextet broke new ground in a cappella in the '80s, paving the way for the popular revival of R&B vocal groups. Their jazz harmonies, and original songs represent some of the best a cappella ever recorded.
With its roots in gospel, doo wop, and jazz-influenced singing groups of mid-century America like the Hi-Los, the a cappella vocal group Take 6 is both a throwback to an earlier, more genteel era of American music precursor for a number of black male pop groups of the '90s. Its members include David Thomas (second tenor) , Alvin Chea (bass) , Cedric Dent (baritone), Mark Kibble (first tenor) , Claude V. McKnight III (first tenor) and Joey Kibble (who replaced Mervyn Warren) second tenor .
Back in 1980, Claude McKnight formed an a cappella quartet, The Gentlemen's Estate Quartet, at Oakwood College in Huntsville, Alabama, where he was a freshman. He auditioned fellow students for the hobby group. The Gentlemen were rehearsing in a campus bathroom, getting ready for a performance, when Mark Kibble walked by and heard them singing. He joined the harmonizing, adding a fifth part, and ended up singing with them onstage that very night. Mark later invited Mervyn Warren to join the group, and the sound of Take 6 was born.
Although the sonic structure was now firmly in place, the name was not; the group performed as Alliance. They signed a pact with the Reunion label in 1988, recording arrangements of Negro spirituals and newly composed material on their first album, Doo Be Doo Wop Bop! They were quickly picked up by Warner Bros.' Reprise label, for whom they started making smooth yet vocally adventuresome albums that defy pigeonholing other than the all-purpose a cappella label.
Take 6 Discography on Mainely A Cappella
GREATEST HITS (1999)
Fans will jump over backwards that Reprise Records has included two previously unreleased and three "guest tracks" from non-Take 6 recordings on this tremendous 13-song collection. Along with old favorites "I L-O-V-E U" and "Spread Love," there's "One and the Same" featuring CeCe Winans and "The Best Stuff In The World Today Cafe," both recorded in 1999 and and previously unreleased. There's also "Setembro (Brazilian Wedding Song)" from the soundtrack of "Boyz 'N The Hood," a piece from "Handel's Messiah: A Soulful Celebration" and "U Turn" from "Spellbound."
SO COOL (1998) The title tune is classic Take 6 - a mix of jazz and R&B with a subtle Christian theme and spectacular vocal pyrotechnics. The same could be said of the mellow vibe in "Sonshine," the infectious jazz waltz of "Wings Of Your Prayer," and vocal percussion-rich "Nothin' But Love." Also worth a listed is "If You Only Knew." The group adopts the mbube style (with Take 6 enhancements) of Ladysmith Black Mambazo at the beginning of "Fly Away" but can't resist breaking into an unrestrained chorus by the end. There are three accompanied numbers - there's a little synth on "You'll Be Waiting For Me" and "Everybody Ought To Know." Ironically, just after an "A-ca-lud" in which they say "we're back to our a cappella roots" is the most accompanied tune, "Love and Harmony." But hey, we're glad they've produced another gem - don't wait to hear it!
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