7th Wonder
7th Wonder was an American soul and funk octet originally formed in Tuskegee, Alabama. The group attained international recognition in the late 1970s and early 1980s, primarily known for their high-energy dance tracks and smooth soul grooves.
The band first began recording in 1973 under the name Seventh Wonder. Their debut single was a soul cover of Kris Kristofferson’s "For the Good Times," released on Nashville’s Abet label. During this early period, they also issued singles such as "Ain't Nothing Gonna Break Us Up" (1974) and "Captain of Your Ship" (1976) on smaller labels.
The group achieved their greatest commercial success after signing with Parachute Records, a subsidiary of Casablanca. They released three studio albums during this peak period:- Words Don't Say Enough (1978): Their Parachute debut, featuring the single "My Love Ain't Never Been This Strong," which reached No. 51 on the Billboard Soul/R&B chart; Climbing Higher (1979): Included the popular track "Daisy Lady," which has since become a noted funk sample track; Thunder (1980): Released on the Chocolate City label, this album featured their biggest hit, "I Enjoy Ya," which peaked at No. 33 on the Billboard R&B chart.
7th Wonder was a prolific touring act, spending over 15 years on the road. They performed as an opening act for legendary artists, including The Commodores, Marvin Gaye, Smokey Robinson, Al Green, and Chaka Khan. In September 1980, the band reached a milestone by appearing on the television show Soul Train.
The core original lineup consisted of:- Allen Williams: Lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist; Iulus Chislom, Jr.: Keyboardist and vocalist; Marvin Patton: Lead and rhythm guitarist.
The group's later configurations included musicians such as Larry Oates (saxophone), Alfred Smith, Jr. (drums), and William Jerome Thornton (bass). Their music was frequently produced by Jerry Weaver, who later gained fame for co-producing Janet Jackson's debut album.
Climing Higher
A2 Living My Life Just For You 4:03
A3 All I Want 4:23
A4 Something Inside You Feel 4:28
B1 Climbin' Higher 4:57
B2 Daisy Lady 4:37
B3 Something Beautiful 5:26
B4 Young Girl 4:44
Label: Parachute Records – RRLP 9014 DJ
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1979
Genre: R&B Soul
Style: Seventies Soul, Disco
Released in 1979 on Casablanca's Parachute subsidiary, Climbing Higher is the second studio album by the Tuskegee-based funk octet 7th Wonder. The record is widely regarded as a solid example of late-70s modern soul and funk, blending uptempo dance floor tracks with smoother R&B grooves.
Key Tracks and Highlights:-
Daisy Lady: The album's standout track, renowned for its "monster" breakbeat and infectious funky rhythm. It has been heavily sampled in hip-hop and remains a staple for DJs of classic soul and funk.
Do It With Your Body: Another uptempo highlight that showcases the band's club-oriented sound and tight instrumentation.
Climbin' Higher: The title track features the soaring vocal arrangements and melodic lines characteristic of the band's polished production style.
Ballads: The album includes slower moments like "Young Girl" and "Living My Life Just For You," which provide a soulful contrast to the high-energy funk tracks.
Critical consensus generally places the album as a high-quality, albeit somewhat "slept on," funk record. Reviewers describe the sound as a mix of soul, funk, and early disco, noting the "clubby groove" that defines the uptempo tracks.
On enthusiast platforms, the album maintains strong ratings, typically ranging from 4.0 to 4.4 out of 5 among listeners on sites like Discogs.
While some tracks beyond "Daisy Lady" are occasionally labeled as average by purists, the ensemble playing and production are frequently cited as "superb" and "impressive".
Words Don’t Say Enough
A2 People In Love (Barry Beckett, Jerry Weaver, Thomas Earl Jones III 2:39)
A3 We Are So In Love (Cornell Ward, Jerry Weaver, Leroy Thompson, Mary Gresham 4:46)
A4 Back Track (George Jackson, Thomas Earl Jones III 2:47)
B1 Words Don't Say Enough (Barbara Wyrick, Melissa Adamson 3:45)
B2 Absence (Jerry Weaver 2:55)
B3 I Would Have Loved You Just The Same (Jerry Weaver, Patricia Scott 4:00)
B4 Love Makes You Act Like That (J.W. Alexander, Jerry Weaver 3:02)
(Funk octet from Tuskegee, Alabama, U.S.)
Label: Parachute Records – RRLP 9004,
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1978
Genre: R&B Soul
Style: Seventies Soul
The 1978 album Words Don't Say Enough by the soul-funk group 7th Wonder is a sought-after record in collector's circles, known for its versatile blend of funky dance tracks and melodic Southern Soul balladry. The album is generally viewed positively by fans and music enthusiasts, though professional critical reviews from the time are limited.
7th Wonder, a nine-member self-contained vocal and instrumental unit from Alabama, had a sound often compared to groups like Earth, Wind & Fire and Kool & the Gang. The album showcases their versatility in both upbeat funk tracks and smoother ballads.
The album generated R&B hit singles with the title track, "Words Don't Say Enough," and "My Love Ain't Never Been This Strong". These tracks helped establish the group after they signed with the Parachute label in 1978.
The album was primarily recorded at the renowned Muscle Shoals Studio with house musicians and featured production by Jerry Weaver. One music industry publication from 1978 described the title track as a "smooth soul" tune.
The band adopted the pyramid at Giza as a recurring brand image and used costumes in the tradition of ancient Egypt, tying into their name's reference to the seven wonders of the ancient world. The album was later combined with their second album, Thunder, for a CD reissue, making their music more accessible to fans.