Light of the World (band)

Last updated

Light of the World
OriginLondon, England
Genres Jazz-funk, Brit funk [1]
Years active1978–present
Labels Ensign, EMI

Light of the World are a British jazz-funk band. [1] [2]

Contents

Biography

The band was formed in London in 1978. [3] They were originally a forerunner of the late 1970s/early 1980s British jazz-funk movement. The band's name is taken from the 1974 Kool and the Gang album, Light of Worlds . [1] [4] The original line-up consisted of Jean-Paul Maunick, drummer Everton McCalla, bassist Paul Williams, guitarist Neville McKreith, percussionist Chris Etienne, keyboardist Peter Hinds, trumpet player Kenny Wellington and saxophonist David Baptiste. [3]

The band's debut single "Swingin'", peaked at No. 45 in the UK Singles Chart. This was later followed up by two top 40 hits: a cover of the Bob Marley and the Wailers song "I Shot the Sheriff" (#40), and the double A-side single "I'm So Happy" / "Time" (#35). [5] [6] Their debut album was released in 1979 on Ensign Records. There second album Round Trip was released in late 1980 and peaked at No. 73 in the UK Albums Chart. [5]

In 1981 Baptiste, Wellington, and McKreith left the group to form Beggar & Co. [3] In 1982, the band released a third album titled Check Us Out. [3] A greatest hits album was issued by Ensign Records in 1985. [3] In 1999 Light of the World briefly reunited and recorded an album titled Inner Voices with Richard Bull as producer and Kenny Wellington as co-producer.

Discography

Studio albums

YearAlbumLabel UK
[5] [6]
1979Light of the WorldEnsign
1980Round Trip73
1981RemixedMercury
1982Check Us OutEMI
1999Inner VoicesSanctuary
"—" denotes releases that did not chart.

Compilation album

Singles

YearSong UK
[5] [6]
1979"Swingin'"45
"Midnight Groovin'"72
1980"The Boys in Blue"
"London Town"41
"I Shot the Sheriff"40
"I'm So Happy" / "Time"35
1981"Ride the Love Train"49
1982"Famous Faces"
"Check Us Out"
"I Can't Stop"
"No. 1 Girl"
1983"Jealous Lover"80
1990"One Destination"
"—" denotes releases that did not chart.

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References

  1. 1 2 3 Simpson, Dave (8 August 2009). "Music - The scenes that time forgot". The Guardian .
  2. "Light of the World: Tour Dates". Ents 24. Retrieved 10 April 2021.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 Hogan, Ed. "Biography". AllMusic . Retrieved 12 February 2022.
  4. Lester, Paul (5 February 2014). "10 of the best: Britfunk". The Guardian .
  5. 1 2 3 4 Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 321. ISBN   1-904994-10-5.
  6. 1 2 3 "LIGHT OF THE WORLD - full Official Chart History". Official Charts Company . Retrieved 12 February 2022.