The Next Movement

The Next Movement is a Chicago r&b vocal group that was formed in the ’70s on the city’s south side. As young kids, they idolized the popular harmony groups of the ’60s and ’70s 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. That 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.” 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”. The mid-tempo groover “Never Stop Dancing” received national radio play. In 1984, Next Movement was signed by music industry veteran Gus Redmond and the classic stepper’s tune “More Love” was released. 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.
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 “Let’s Work It Out,” became a club hit and a dance classic.
In 1992, Next Movement returned to Las Vegas and began performing in showrooms and lounges. 2006 finds the group still touring and performing at the finest 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 bestowed on any performer and a new lineup featuring the 2 original members Carnell Haywood & Samuel Thomas, Jr., with newcomers Donald Albert and Sergio, the group is still making a name for themselves 34 years later. The legend continues.

The original members who formed the group in 1971 were Guy Sutton Jr., Carnell Haywood, Earl Shelby (aka Earl E. Soul), Samuel Thomas Jr. and Alonzo Pickens. Currently recording and performing together are Earl Shelby Carnell and Samuel Thomas Jr.