From their seminal, self-titled album, an a cappella masterpiece, these songs have been painstakingly transcribed and edited into a complete collection of the album's arrangements. Dive into the group that changed a cappella singing for generations to come. This unique blend of Gospel, Jazz, R&B, Pop and Soul can only be described as Take 6.

Songlist: Mary, Gold Mine, Spread Love, If We Ever (Needed The Lord Before), David And Goliath, Get Away Jordan, He Never Sleeps, Milky White Way, Let The Words, A Quiet Place

Denver A Cappella Project : The Big Picture   

DAP is a dynamic eight-part mixed (4 men and 4 women) a cappella ensemble that performs a wide array of musical styles--from classical to jazz to pop to gospel to folk that has been performing together for about 3 years. Every member had considerable experience in barbershop groups, choirs, bands and the like, and most of them are married or related to at least one other group member. They have been performing to a wide variety of audiences in and out of Colorado to rave reviews. 14 varied songs, from Woody Guthrie's "This Land (is Your Land)" and jazzy covers of "The Drunken Sailor" and Lennon/McCartney's "Follow the Sun" to a stunning rendition of Dvorak's 'New World" Symphony 2nd Movement." Ward Swingle's arrangement Rimsky-Korsakov's "Flight of the Bumblebee" shows the group to be in company, in terms of sheer talent, with the Swingle Singers. "That's All," "You Are the New Day," "Heartache Tonight," Phil Everly's "When Will I Be Loved," Billy Joel's "Lullabye (Goodnight, My Angel)" and "Stars and Stripes Forever." This group nails them all. A surprising, recommended CD by a very talented new octet!

Songlist: This Land (Is Your Land), The Drunken Sailor, I'll Follow the Sun, Dvorak "New World" Symphony, Flight of the Bumblebee, That's All, Take A Chance on Me, You Are the New Day, A Quiet Place, Heartache Tonight, When Will I Be Loved, Lullabye (Goodnight, My Angel), The Star Spangled Banner, Stars and Stripes Forever

Prolific five-man (Glenn Shoemaker, Randy Crenshaw, Steve Ragsdale, Dwayne Condon and Walt Harrah) The Haven Quartet, of the Haven of Rest Ministries in Hollywood, CA, brings us another nice collection of Gospel tunes and hymns, "Be Ye Holy." The Haven Quartet is using a lot more accompaniment now, in fact the lovely "A Quiet Place" and traditional parting wish "God Be With You 'Til We Meet Again" are the only a cappella songs out of 14 on "Be Ye Holy." But listen to "O For A Thousand Tongues To Sing," one of our favorite hymns, "How Great Thou Art," "Door To Your Heart," "O God Our Help In Ages Past," "Hallelujah, What A Savior" and "Our Great Savior"--these are all triumphant anthems of faith, beautifully harmonized and filled with adoration and praise. A cappella or accompanied, The Haven Quartet's ministry of music continues to be beautifully comforting and uplifting!

Songlist: O for a Thousand Tongues to Sing, I Sing the Mighty Power of God, How Great Thou Art, Praise to the Lord, the Almighty, A Quiet Place, Be Ye Holy, Door to Your Heart, O God our Help in Ages Past, Come thou Fount of Every Blessing, At The Cross, There is a Redeemer, Hallelujah, what a Savior, Our Great Savior, God Be With You 'Til we Meet Again

Hover Chamber Choir : Armenian Voices       

In Armenian, Hover (Hoh-ver) evokes the image on song soaring on the wind, and it's also the name of one of the most beautiful Armenian folk songs by Komitas vardapet, a revered name in Armenian folk and sacred music, also part of Hover's repertoire. The 24-strong mixed-voice Choir came together in Yerevan in 1992 as a volunteer performing arts group, mostly students and graduates of the Komitas National Conservatory; led by founder and artistic director Sona Hovhannisyan. There are 21 folk and sacred songs here, particularly nice are Kodaly's "Esti Dal" (Evening Song), Britten's "Carol" and "Ye that Pasen By," Poulenc's "Timor et Tremor," Ravel's "Nicolette," and a number of wonderful tunes by Armenia's Komitas: "Ode," "Threshing Song," "Ploughing Song of Lori," "A Pumpkin Grows on the Garden Wall," and "Greeting The Morning," Gershwin's "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot" and Lennon/McCartney's "Michelle." A joyful, well-chosen mix, beautifully performed by this fine mixed Choir. The extensive, colorful liner notes tell us about the music and lyrics.

Songlist: Esti Dal (Evening Song), Carol, Ye that Pasen by, Remember not, Lord, Our Offences, Crucifixus, Timor et Tremor, Nicolette, Lenten is Come, A Hymn to the Virgin, Ode (Sirt im sasani), Threshing Song, Ploughing Song of Lori, A Pumpkin Grows on the Garden Wall (Baghi pate ddum a) (Komitas), Greeting the Morning (Aravotun bari luys), Cloudy Skies (Ampel a kamar-kamar) (Komitas), Dance-songs, Secretary to God, A Quiet Place, Swing Low, Sweet Chariot, Michelle, Scherzo

Just 4 Kicks : Joyful Noise   

Talented, highly-respected music industry educators and arrangers Kirby Shaw, Randy Crenshaw, Kirk Marcy and Vijay Singh were asked by a dear friend, the minister of music at St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Salem, OR, if Just 4 Kicks would perform at an upcoming concert and service at St. Paul's. His parameters were simple: "It needs to be all sacred music, but it needs to be Just 4 Kicks!" The group decided to accept the opportunity as a chance for rejuvenation that it needed, and immediately the creative juices started flowing within the quartet. The event was a huge success, and soon the group found itself in the studio, recording a fresh new book of tunes. We can see from the song list, there's a lot of diversity in these 11 tunes, from the jazzy "Sermonette," scattish "Jesus Loves the Little Children" and "Come Sunday," to a Reggae-flavored, manic "Jesus Loves Me;" to a couple of Bob Dylan tunes, the bluesy "Gotta Serve Somebody" and the Reggae-arranged "Man Gave Names To All The Animals," there's lots of fun stuff here. Other favorites are a hip, finger-popping "Daniel in the Lion's Den," bluenote "A Child is Born," a foot-tapping Bluegrass take on "Walk On" and a hauntingly harmonic "A Quiet Place." We've always loved Just 4 Kicks, and we love this album-it's a great new direction for these talented men, and we look forward to hearing more inspirational, upbeat material like "Joyful Noise" from them!

Songlist: Sermonette, Gotta Serve Somebody, Jesus Loves Me, Come Thou, Almighty King, Jesus Loves the Little Children, Come Sunday, Man Gave Names to all the Animals, Daniel In the Lion's Den, A Child is Born, Walk On, A Quiet Place

Just 4 Kicks : All In Good Time   

The four players in Just 4 Kicks are only four of the most respected (and frequently employed) arrangers and educators in the music industry. Their talent is only surpassed by their prodigious accomplishments, the results of which are ours to appreciate. Obviously influenced by the brilliant vocal jazz groups of the '50's and '60's, most notably the Four Freshmen and Lambert, Hendricks and Ross, "All In Good Time" is adventurous and exuberant. Billy Strayhorn's comically ironic "Everything But You" is one of the great swing tunes in the lexicon, and Just 4 Kicks stands in for an entire jazz combo, tossing off brass solos and a drum breakdown. The arrangement of "Alice In Wonderland" frequently voices the harmony, including the enticing ninth chords, by implying the root, rather than stating it overtly. "I'm Walkin'," popularized by "Fats" Domino and arranged here by Kirby Shaw, retains the boogie-woogie party mood of the original and kicks it up a notch - now that's impressive. Many of the songs feature furious scatting, all done live. Don Shelton of the Hi-Lo's guests on "Green Dolphin Street," and the Bobs' Joe Finetti stops by to supply vocal percussion on Stevie Wonder's "Superstition."

Songlist: I'm Walkin', Everything But You, Alice In Wonderland, Black Orpheus, On Green Dolphin Street, Her Bright Smile, Poppity-Pop, All Blues, Superstition, Ev'ry Time We Say Goodbye, Blizzard Of Lies, Take the 'A' Train, A Quiet Place

Memory Lane : Acappella Ave   

Though we have scant information on this sextet, save that they come from Pennsylvania, we can say that their sound was obviously inspired by the great doo-wop groups like the Spaniels and Moonglows. This is a 1999 release, but, as their name implies, the singers of Memory Lane aren't about today. Their arrangements really capture the flavor of the genuine article, the performances have punch and authority, and the blend is earthy, thick and resonant. Favorite cuts include 'California Dreamin',' 'Mio Amore' and 'I Like It Like That.'

Songlist: Tell Me Today, Let's Go, Let's Go, Let's Go, A Quiet Place, Ready For Your Love, Don't Say Goodbye, California Dreamin', Save the Last Dance for Me, Mio Amore, Da Doo Ron Ron, Please Stay, I Like It Like That, Never Never, Drip Drop, False Love, So Fine

Not just a cappella fans but the whole musical world perked up their ears when six young singers transformed the gospel world with their jazz arrangements. The beautiful harmonies and sophisticated arrangements immediately set a standard which has been endlessly copied ever since. Within a single song can frequently be found elements of jazz, soul, rock and R&B on a gospel base. It is no wonder that these singers were tapped to be the winners of two Grammy Awards for their first recording! It is a must for any a cappella collection! Remember this was 1988 and they set the standard by which other great harmony groups such as Boyz II Men were measured and continue to be so judged.

Songlist: Spread Love, If We Never Needed The Lord Before (We Sure Do Need Him Now), A Quiet Place, Mary, David And Goliath, Get Away, Jordan, He Never Sleeps, Milky-White Way, Let The Words, Gold Mine

The influence of the Christian Contemporary group Take 6 cannot be overstated. They, in turn, cite as one their own inspirations Gene Puerling of the Singers Unlimited. Their pedigree is such that the members of this stellar sextet have graced the recordings of many chart-topping artists and movie soundtracks as well (one track, 'Setembro,' is from 'Boyz In The Hood'). Two songs from this collection, 'The Best Stuff In The World Today Cafe,' and 'One And The Same,' have never been released before. Many of the cuts are percussion accompanied, though several are purely a cappella; regardless, if only to hear the pristine voices and the impeccably constructed harmonic voicings, repeated listening is advised. Stylistically, the group has a gospel/funk flavor with a jazzy overtone, courtesy of the signature chords that have become associated with the Take 6 sound. A excellent gift and introduction to the group, with enough new material to satisfy the appetite of the seasoned aficionado.

Songlist: I L-O-V-E-U, Destiny, One and the Same, Fly Away, Mary, Biggest Part of Me, The Best Stuff in the World Today Cafe, Setembro (Brazilian wedding song), A Quiet Place, Oh Thou that Tellest Good Tidings to Zion, U Turn, Spread Love, So Much 2 Say