The Next Movement

The Next Movement were a Chicago R&B vocal group that formed in 1971 on the city's south side. The lineup included Alonzo Pickens, Samuel Thomas, Jr., Guy Sutton, Earl Shelby, and Carnel Haywood. They recorded a 1980 album, The Next Movement, for the local GEC label that plays like a last luscious piece of delight, appearing in the waning years of Chicago soul. The midtempo groover "Never Stop Dancing" received radio play in Chicago and other markets. With amazing string and horn arrangements by Tom Washington, anchored by a tight rhythm section featuring drummer Quinton Joseph, it was quite a debut. The standouts are the two ballads "How Did We Get to This" and "Kid Stuff," as well as the zesty, sparkling "Crazy 'Bout Your Lovin'." Working with music vet Gus Redmond, Next Movement had their only Billboard single, the smooth dance number "All I Do," issued on the Navarre-distributed Nuance label in 1994. The group's release on New York-based Prelude Records, "Let's Work It Out," became a club hit and a dance classic. In the '90s, Next Movement began working with manager Winfred Hatch performing R&B/soul tunes in Vegas clubs. They also recorded sides for Al Bell's Bellmark Records and appeared on the soundtrack of Original Gangstas, a 1996 movie that reunited many '70s-era Black action movie stars. During the '90s, Japanese label P-Vine reissued their 1980 LP on CD as Never Stop Dancing. "Let's Work It Out" can be found on Star Funk, Vol. 16 and Rare Preludes, Vol. 3.
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