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The Next Movement is a Chicago R&B vocal group that was formed in 1971 on the city's south side. The original members were Carnell Haywood, Samuel Thomas, Jr., Guy Sutton, Earl Shelby, and Alonzo Pickens. As young kids they idolized the popular harmony groups of the ‘60’s and ‘70’s such as the Temptations, Jackson 5, Dramatics, The Dells and the Chi-Lites. The group decided on the name “Next Movement” because their dance moves were so smooth they were always asked “what’s the next move.”
The young group’s 1st official release was “Girl, Why You Want To Take My Heart” in 1972 on the local Interplanetary label. This was followed 2 years later with “Everywhere You Go (I’ll Be Around)” on Crown Town and garnered them an appearance on the upstart TV show “Soul Train.” These early recordings are reminiscent of the early Jackson 5 songs of that era with tight and more sophisticated harmonies. The group continued to perform locally, but it was another 6 years before their next release.
The group was asked to perform in Las Vegas with Redd Fox at the Thunderbird in 1976. In 1980, they recorded an 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 mid-tempo groover “Never Stop Dancing” received national radio play. With amazing string and horn arrangements by Tom Washington anchored by a tight rhythm section featuring drummer Quinton Joseph, it was a timeless release.
In 1984, Next Movement was signed by music industry veteran Gus Redmond and the classic stepper’s tune “More Love” was released on the Navarre-distributed Nuance label. The next year, the group had their first national hit in the formative years of the House Music movement of Chicago entitled “All I Do,” which hit the Billboard R&B charts at 49. Both were arranged by the legendary Tom Tom. “All I Do” was a smooth R&B/Dance single which was played on radio across the country in regular rotation, but was helped by the creation of the “Hot Mix” DJ formatted shows that dominated urban radio.
The Next Movement was chosen to perform at Oprah Winfrey’s 1989 New Years Eve Party where she proclaimed them the best vocal group in Chicago. The group's 1991 release on New York-based Prelude Records, "Let's Work It Out," became a club hit and a dance classic. It can be found on Starfunk, Vol. 16 and Rare Preludes, Vol. 3.
In 1992, Next Movement returned to Las Vegas and began performing in showrooms and lounges. They also recorded the singles “Love Never Runs Dry” and “Stop The Rain” for Al Bell's Bellmark Records and appeared on the soundtrack of “Original Gangstas,” in 1996. Also during this period, Japanese label P-Vine reissued their 1980 LP (from the GEC label) on CD as “Never Stop Dancing.”
2007 finds the group still touring and performing at the largest casinos and showrooms across the country. Tony Rankin and Smooth “C” of Radio station V-108 in Las Vegas have proclaimed them the best showband in the entertainment capital of the world. With the highest honor that can be bestowed on any performer and a lineup featuring 2 original members, Carnell Haywood and Samuel Thomas, Jr., with Donald Albert fromerly of The Dramatics and newcomer Dicki Jonez the group is still making a name for themselves 34 years later.
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