Escape Music has confirmed a June 20th release date for Bournemouth's SEVEN: 7, featuring guest appearances from LION'S SHARE's Lars Chriss and BLACK SABBATH/OZZY OSBOURNE keyboardist Adam Wakeman.

The roots of the band originally began in South Africa in an outfit called FACE TO FACE. Both guitarist Keith McFarlane and keyboardist Simon LeFevre (and his brother John) had enjoyed considerable success over an eighteen month period, releasing several singles and one album, before dissent in the ranks saw the young band split up. Meanwhile, a young Mick Devine was plying his trade as a drummer in the band UC27. With both McFarlane and the LeFevre brothers returning to the UK, it was decided after several months to put the band back together, but base it in the UK, as Mick Devine explains, “I took a brave leap leaving South Africa, as I hadn’t met Simon, John or Keith previously. We were originally based in Woking, but after meeting Mike Parker (our initial Manager – now deceased) at a talent show, we moved to Bournemouth. I was initially approached by John to drum with the band, but they thought I was a much better singer than drummer and realised I needed to come out from behind the drums and become the lead singer.”

A quick name change ensued and Seven was born. Entering the recording studios, with John Parr at the production helm, they recorded two singles in the shape of 'Inside Love' and 'Man with A Vision'. One of the myths about Seven is that they recorded a full album, but that it was shelved by Polydor after the band were dropped. It’s a myth that Devine is quick to dismiss, “We never had an album deal. We were signed for two single releases and we were then dropped. We had more than an albums worth of material, mostly consisting of really good quality demos, having recorded at some great studios including a number of weeks at Rockfield.”

Fast forward to the present day and bass player, Pat Davey, was working alongside Robert Hart on an Escape Music album when the name Seven cropped up in the conversation. It would seem that Khalil Turk was a big fan, as Devine explains, “Yeah, back in the day Khalil had really loved the band and he got in touch to see if we would be interested in finally releasing an album with the original line-up,” gushes the excited singer. “As we are currently living in different countries (Keith and Simon are in South Africa, myself, Pat and Oz in the UK), Khalil put us together with Lars Chriss (fantastic Swedish Hard rock guitarist and producer) who is producing the tracks from Sweden and then sending tracks to SA & the UK for each of us to add our individual parts. The sound is definitely fresher and harder and more up to date, giving the band, the edge it needed back in the 80’s.”

Tracklisting:

'Shoot To Kill'

'Inside Love'

'Diana'

'Still'

'Headlines'

'Strangers'

'America'

'Thru The Night'

'Never Too Late'

'Don't Break My Heart'

'Say Goodbye'

'Shoot To Kill' lyric video:

7 is:

Mick Devine – lead vocals

Keith Mcfarlane – guitar, vocals

Pat Davey- bass, vocals

Simon Lefevre – keyboards, vocals

Austin “Oz” Lane – drums

Special guests

Lars Chriss: guitars

Mark Mangold: keyboards

Adam Wakeman: keyboards

Fredrik Bergh: keyboards

Didge Digital: keyboards

Tomas Coox: piano and strings arrangement

Andy Loos: bass