Biography
The Natural Four launched their pursuit of fame from Oakland, CA, during the mid-1960s after securing an initial contract with the local Boola Boola Records imprint. Their first two singles for the label in 1969, "You Did This for Me" and "Why Should We Stop Now," found regional traction around the San Francisco Bay Area. ABC Records subsequently handled distribution and elevated "Why Should We Stop Now" to the number 31 position on the R&B chart that same year. At this stage the lineup featured lead vocalist Chris James alongside Allen Richardson, John January, and Al Bowden.
ABC next issued three additional sides—"The Same Thing in Mind," the earlier Boola Boola cut "I Thought You Were Mine," and a cover of the Temptations’ "Message From a Black Man"—none of which matched even the modest reach of their prior hit, leaving the group’s association with the label strained. A lone 1971 single for Chess Records, "Give a Little Love," preceded a complete overhaul of the roster by Chris James. Richardson, January, and Bowden departed, replaced in 1972 by Darryl Cannady, Steve Striplin, and Delmos Whitney.
The refreshed ensemble joined Curtis Mayfield’s Curtom roster and debuted with "Things Will Be Better" in 1972, followed by "Eddie You Should Know Better," a reworking drawn from Mayfield’s Superfly album; both efforts failed commercially. Their third Curtom outing, "Can This Be Real," climbed to number ten on the R&B survey and crossed into the pop Top 40 during 1973. The follow-up, "Love That Really Counts," arrived in 1974 bearing an identical melody under new lyrics.
Leroy Hutson, who had earlier stepped into Curtis Mayfield’s role with the Impressions, guided the Natural Four through several further Curtom sessions. Four additional releases from 1975 to 1976—"Heaven Right Here on Earth," "Love’s So Wonderful," "It’s the Music," and "Free"—likewise stalled. Curtom ultimately issued three albums under the group’s name: The Natural Four, Heaven Right Here on Earth, and Nightchaser. Although Chris James delivered a crisp, smooth lead in a tenor vein reminiscent of the Spinners’ Bobbie Smith yet deeper and more lyrical, the act lacked substantial songwriting resources and remained dependent on external producers. Nevertheless, the Natural Four generated some of the most refined vocal harmonies of their era. Sequel eventually gathered the three LPs onto a pair of CDs.
ABC next issued three additional sides—"The Same Thing in Mind," the earlier Boola Boola cut "I Thought You Were Mine," and a cover of the Temptations’ "Message From a Black Man"—none of which matched even the modest reach of their prior hit, leaving the group’s association with the label strained. A lone 1971 single for Chess Records, "Give a Little Love," preceded a complete overhaul of the roster by Chris James. Richardson, January, and Bowden departed, replaced in 1972 by Darryl Cannady, Steve Striplin, and Delmos Whitney.
The refreshed ensemble joined Curtis Mayfield’s Curtom roster and debuted with "Things Will Be Better" in 1972, followed by "Eddie You Should Know Better," a reworking drawn from Mayfield’s Superfly album; both efforts failed commercially. Their third Curtom outing, "Can This Be Real," climbed to number ten on the R&B survey and crossed into the pop Top 40 during 1973. The follow-up, "Love That Really Counts," arrived in 1974 bearing an identical melody under new lyrics.
Leroy Hutson, who had earlier stepped into Curtis Mayfield’s role with the Impressions, guided the Natural Four through several further Curtom sessions. Four additional releases from 1975 to 1976—"Heaven Right Here on Earth," "Love’s So Wonderful," "It’s the Music," and "Free"—likewise stalled. Curtom ultimately issued three albums under the group’s name: The Natural Four, Heaven Right Here on Earth, and Nightchaser. Although Chris James delivered a crisp, smooth lead in a tenor vein reminiscent of the Spinners’ Bobbie Smith yet deeper and more lyrical, the act lacked substantial songwriting resources and remained dependent on external producers. Nevertheless, the Natural Four generated some of the most refined vocal harmonies of their era. Sequel eventually gathered the three LPs onto a pair of CDs.
Albums
Singles
