Four Freshmen Fresh CD

Over 35 years the Four Freshmen are have continued to record and have become something of an American musical institution. In 1986's FRESH, there are new elements updating the original and famous style of the Four. Not only have they taken to some of the 1980's pop/rock composers (Christopher Cross, Stevie Wonder, Roger Murrah and Keith Stegall) like fishes to water, but their sound is updated and recast with electronic keyboards and guitars, and generally smooth and slick instrumental arrangements. It is a decidedly appropriate marriage between the vocal group and studio production, as myriad other vocal groups have done without realizing the debt owed to the foundation laid by this group. The solid tonal force of the Freshmen provides lush sounds that are perfectly complimented by the back up band on pop songs like "Sailing" and "We're In This Love Together." The snappy, rhythmic orchestrations provide soft and unobtrusive punctuation to the vocals.

Liner Note Author: Dick Reynolds.

Recording information: RKM Studios, Atlanta, GA (1986).

Photographers: Bob Rice ; Eddie Tapp.

Unknown Contributor Role: Freshorns.

Arrangers: John Turner ; Ron Foster; Rod Henley.

Personnel: Mike Beisner (vocals, trumpet, horns); Rod Henley (vocals, horns, piano, keyboards); Bob Flanigan, Autie Goodman (vocals, horns); Bill Keller, Bill Hatcher (guitar); Bob Bevins (flute, tenor saxophone); Rick Bell, Don Erdman, Skip Lane, Stutz Wemmer, Stutz Wimmer, Jack Agee, Richard Bell (saxophone); Cecil Welch (trumpet, flugelhorn); Ron Mendola, Lonnie Turner (trumpet); Bobby Lewis , David MacKenzie, Harry Hagan, Richard Brady, Bob Lewis (trombone); Dan Wall (piano); Rod Hatcher (keyboards); Stan Henley (drums, percussion); Yonrico Scott (drums); Lou Carto, Jonathan Lewis (percussion).

Audio Mixers: Curt Miller; Rod Henley.