After 7

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After 7 is an R&B group founded in 1988 by brothers Melvin and Kevon Edmonds, and Keith Mitchell. The Edmonds brothers are the siblings of popular pop and R&B singer-songwriter-producer Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds" (Melvin is older, and Kevon - born Kevin - is younger). Mitchell was long thought to be the cousin of Babyface's then-partner, songwriter-producer Antonio "L.A." Reid, however, this was actually set-up as a marketing tool for the group and was actually incorrect.^[1]

Virgin Records released their self-titled debut album in autumn 1989, which included the hits "Heat of the Moment", "Can't Stop" and the quiet-storm staple "Ready or Not". After promoting the album and seeing it go platinum, they scored a hit with the Motown-influenced "Nights Like This" on 1991's The Five Heartbeats soundtrack. The trio returned with Takin' My Time in 1992, which included the hit cover of The Originals' "Baby I'm For Real". The trio released their last album, Reflections in 1995, which included the hit "'Til You Do Me Right".

The group members went their separate ways after leaving Virgin Records due to creative differences and silently broke up. Despite this, in 1997 the Edmonds brothers released a cover of Hall & Oates' "Sara Smile" as a single (and sole new track) from the career retrospective The Very Best of After 7 before completely stopping releases under the group's name.

Following the group's split, Kevon released a solo album, 24/7, in October 1999 which included the hit single "24/7." Keith went on to manage white rapper Sarai and is working today on a solo gospel album.

The Edmonds brothers occasionally reunite for the odd show here and there. Both Kevon and Melvin Edmonds appeared with Babyface in the film Soul Food as members of the R&B group Milestone, performing the song "I Care About You". In 2006 the group minus Melvin Edmonds appeared on the New Jack Reunion Tour with Kevon Edmonds, Keith Mitchell, and Edmonds family member Jason Edmonds who happens to be the son of Melvin Edmonds and the nephew of Babyface and Kevon Edmonds. In 2007 Keith Mitchell left the group again to pursue gospel full time and was replaced by Keith Floyd. Keith Mitchell has returned to After 7 once again in 2009 and Keith Floyd is no longer in the group. Melvin Edmonds is the only original member no longer in the group.

Discography

Albums

• 1989: After 7
• 1992: Takin' My Time
• 1995: Reflections
• 1997: The Very Best of After 7

Singles

External links

• After 7 Bio
• Keith Mitchell Interview

References

*charted in 1991