back to browsing

Always & Forever [Eternal] [CD] [1 disc]

Eternal
1 disc

1. Stay
2. Crazy
3. Save Our Love - (remix)
4. Oh Baby, I...
5. I'll Be There
6. Sweet Funky Thing
7. Never Gonna Give You Up
8. Just a Step From Heaven
9. Let's Stay Together
10. This Love's For Real
11. So Good
12. If You Need Me Tonight
13. Don't Say Goodbye
14. Amazing Grace
Read More...
Additional Info

Manufacturer Part Number (MPN): 28212
Credits

Producer
Engineer Ren Swan; Tommy Faragher
Eternal: Easther Bennett, Vernett Bennett, Kelle Bryan, Louise Nurding (vocals).
Additional personnel includes: Nigel Lowis (various instruments); Paul Pesco (guitar, sitar); Ira Siegal (guitar); Jimmy Gallagher (saxophone); Tommy Faragher (keyboards, drums); Peter Pritchard (keyboards, programming); Bashiri Johnson (percussion).
Producers include: BeBe Winans, Nigel Lowis, Dennis Charles, Ronnie Wilson, Scott Cutler.
Principally recorded at Sarm Studios, Roundhouse Studios, London, England; Prime Time Studios, Los Angeles, California; Mad Fly Productions, New York.
Putting a contemporary spin on a classic sound, the ladies of Eternal (sisters Easther & Vernette Bennett, Kelle Bryan and Louise Nurding) clearly haven't forgotten the roots of soul music or what made the style so provocative in the first place.
Flipping ahead to the last track on ALWAYS & FOREVER, "Amazing Grace," it's apparent that the church and gospel music are at the heart of everything Eternal stands for: The silky harmonies suddenly bursting with rich overtones and deeply felt emotions; the sanctified backbeat running through every melodic thread; and the exciting call and response between the preaching lead vocals and the chorus. Authentic soul music approaching us from the UK is hardly surprising. That Eternal comes roaring back at you with a genuine roots feeling in their harmonies and a slamming, street-wise rhythm pocket (as on their hit single "Stay") is something else again. But then ALWAYS & FOREVER is full of surprises--working with producer and gospel legend BeBe Winans on "Crazy," Eternal walks the line between the sanctified and secular traditions, without patronizing either. Whether the context is hot and funky, or sweet and slow, Eternal has the right stuff, and then some.
Critic Reviews

Rolling Stone (10/6/94, pp.87-88) - 3 Stars - Good - "...The four girls set their sights on American neosoul, and the blessing is they miss most of what has become monotonous about it..."