Customer Reviews

Unreal

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This recording was the Real Group's first release targeted directly at American audiences. (Some of their previous CDs are primarily done in Swedish.) One cannot say enough about the quality of the voices, the arrangements, the performances, and the recording quality.

The group is a descendent of the genre created by the Swingle Singers and Singers Unlimited (SU). They have all the musical talent of the Swingles, and the high-quality jazz arrangements of SU (although the Real Group's voices are better than SU).

This recording is a pure delight. Completely a cappella (although you'd swear they snuck in a percussionist -- it's actually mouth-sounds a la Bobby McFerrin). Not only do they have terrific voices, but the great ears that are required to sing these marvelous arrangements. Some of the singing is reminiscent of high-voltage big-band arrangements ("It Don't Mean a Thing", "Flight of the Foobirds"); other cuts are so serenely seductive that they will melt the heart of stone ("Body and Soul", "What Are You Doing the Rest of Your Life?"). In addition to "normal" singing (i.e. words), they throw in a healthy helping of excellent scat singing -- both solos and ensemble scat.

If you're new to vocal jazz, get this CD first. Then their "One for All", which is as good. And then perhaps their Live in Stockholm, and some old SU (if you can find it). Rockapella doesn't compare. The only group that can come close is Take 6.

Shades of "Singers Unlimited" and that is saying something. Absolutely "awesome". "Acappella" at its best. Unfortunately the CD is only 51:49 playing time, I could take a lifetime listening to this talented group. This CD is under lock and key with my SU, Hi-Los and Four Freshmen classics. Get your kleenex ready when you listen to cut #9, "What Are You Doing The Rest Of Your Life"? The entire world should take time out and listen, what wonderful therapy for us all.

With impossibly tight vocals that have become the signature of the Real Group, this CD is the best that I have heard in a long while. For fans of great music done to perfection, this is a must-own.

Actual tracks:

Flight of the Foo-Brids / Walkin' / A Cappella in Acapulco / A Child is Born / Come Together / Wait and See / Skylark / I've Found a New Baby / What Are You Doing for the Rest of Your Life? / It Don't Mean a Thing / Body and Soul / Kristallen Den Fina / Jag Vet En Dejlig Rosa / For the One I Love

This is one of the best Real Group C.D.s out there. I love it! From the hip, wordless scat in Flight of the Foobirds to the sensational Skylark, the Real Group has it all.

I've been in jazz singing groups for about two years now and I'm just getting into listening rather than singing and I am amazed! The first night that I had this c.d. I listened to it twice. The flow of the voices is so amazing, it's like being caught up in the waves of the open sea and rather than being frightning, it's relaxing. You can just close your eyes and get so caught up in it. My only coplaint is that I wish there was more music on the c.d.! I was especially impressed with "Kristallen Den Fina".

the real group begins where groups like manhattan transfer or new york voices end. a magnificent array of vocal harmonies, this ensemble could proabably be the premeier vocal jazz group of our time! just as the name of this album suggests, the album is UNREAL! hear it out for yourself.

The Real Group is one of the best Jazz Vocal groups I've ever heard. Great CD.

Having the talent this group has is a crime. I can play the radio, and that is about it. But I have an "ear", and my "ear" tells me this group is awsome.I'm saving my kronas to head for Sweden to catch this group "live". Shades of "Singers Unlimited" is heard throughout their charts. What talent and they enjoy doing their "thing". Have just ordered their other album, "Live in Stockholm". I hate people with this much talent.

Check out "Skylark" and "I've found a new baby"

Song lineup:
Flight of the Foobirds
Walkin'
A Cappella in Acapulco
A Child Is Born
Come Together
Wait And See
Skylark
I've found A New Baby
What Are You Doing The Rest Of Your Life?
It Don't Mean A Thing
Body and Soul
Kristallen Den Fina
Jag Vet En Dejlig Rosa
For The One I Love

All in all a great album. There are few a cappella groups that swing as well as The Real Group. Their arrangement of "It Don't Mean A Thing" on here is fantastic. Starts off slow and then goes into the fast swing section. Really great.

The two non English pieces are just hauntingly beautiful!!

The vocal percussion is great.. effortless and fits the songs perfectly. Most of the VP is done by the tenor (Anders Edenroth) and he is a master at subtle vocal percussion that totally fits the song!