UK Blak

Last updated

UK Blak
UK Blak.jpg
Studio album by
Released15 May 1990
StudioThe Church Studios (London), Grove Studio (Ocho Rios, Jamaica), Calliope Productions (NYC), The Apollo Center (NYC), Red Buss Recording Studios, Livingstone Studio, Unit 3 studios
Genre
Label EMI
Producer
Caron Wheeler studio album chronology
UK Blak
(1990)
Beach of the War Goddess
(1993)
Singles from UK Blak
  1. "Livin' in the Light"
    Released: 14 February 1990
  2. "UK Blak"
    Released: 13 September 1990
  3. "Blue (Is the Colour of Pain)"
    Released: 21 January 1991
  4. "Don't Quit"
    Released: 5 May 1991
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [1]
Robert Christgau Rating-Christgau-dud.svg [2]
Entertainment Weekly A− [3]
Los Angeles Times Star full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svgStar empty.svg [4]

UK Blak is the debut studio album by British singer Caron Wheeler. [5] It was released on 15 May 1990 by EMI Records. Recording sessions for the album took place from January 1990 to March 1990 at several studios, during the hiatus from her group Soul II Soul. As executive producer of the album, Wheeler took a wider role in its production, co-writing a majority of the songs, choosing which ones to produce and sharing ideas on the mixing and mastering of tracks. The album includes the single "Livin' in the Light", which reached the UK Top 20, plus three further singles, "UK Blak", "Blue (Is the Colour of Pain)" and "Don't Quit".

Contents

Background

In 1990, Wheeler left Soul II Soul to pursue a solo career, and shortly after leaving the group she secured a contract with RCA/EMI Records. The album charted well in the UK Albums Chart with the help of the first single "Livin' in the Light".

In the album liner notes, it is said that "This album was made with loving thoughts of Martin Shure, and inspired by Skakti Gawain and Marvin Gaye." [6]

Track listing

UK Blak track listing
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."UK Blak"Caron Wheeler / Carl MacKintoshCarl MacKintosh4:22
2."Livin' in the Light (The Remix)"Caron Wheeler / N. P. HailBlacksmith4:35
3."Blue (Is the Colour of Pain)"Caron Wheeler / Mark Brydon / A. DustMark Brydon4:56
4."No Regrets"Caron Wheeler / Tim Atkins / Peter Trotman / Karl AtkinsBlacksmith3:51
5."This Is Mine (featuring MC Mell"O")"Caron Wheeler / Tim Atkins / Peter Trotman / Karl Atkins / M. HenryBlacksmith4:01
6."Don't Quit"Jimmy HaynesJimmy "Senya" Haynes4:22
7."Enchanted (featuring Raymond Simpson)"Caron Wheeler / Raymond SimpsonRaymond Simpson4:26
8."Never Lonely"Caron Wheeler / Raymond Simpson / B.A. Bramble / S.D. GaimThe Twilight Firm4:10
9."Song for You"Jimmy HaynesJimmy "Senya" Haynes4:11
10."Somewhere"Caron Wheeler / Derek JohnsonDerek Johnson4:13
11."Proud"Caron Wheeler / R. Guthrie / Wycliffe Johnson / Cleveland BrowneWycliffe Johnson / Cleveland Browne4:48
12."Kama Yo"Caron Wheeler / B.A. Bramble / S.D. GaimThe Twilight Firm5:06
13."Jamaica"Caron Wheeler / Wycliffe Johnson / Cleveland BrowneWycliffe Johnson / Cleveland Browne3:58
14."Livin' in the Light (The Original Story)"Caron Wheeler / N. P. HailAfrika Baby Bam (The Jungle Brothers)5:45
Total length:62:40

Personnel

Charts and certifications

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">It Must Have Been Love</span> 1987 song by Roxette

"It Must Have Been Love", originally "It Must Have Been Love (Christmas for the Broken Hearted)", is a song written by Per Gessle and performed by the Swedish pop duo Roxette. The power ballad became the duo's third number one hit in the United States, and is one of their best selling releases, being certified gold or platinum in a number of countries. It remains their most well-known and signature song.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Caron Wheeler</span> Musical artist

Caron Melina Wheeler is an English singer, songwriter, record producer and musician. Born and raised in London, she performed in various singing competitions as a teenager and began her recording career as one of the founding members of Brown Sugar. She was also one of the founding members of the female backing vocalist group Afrodiziak. She officially rose to fame in the late 1980s as the lead singer of R&B group Soul II Soul. Managed by her bandmate, Jazzie B, the group became one of London's best-selling groups in the 1990s. Their debut album, Club Classics Vol. One (1989), which established them as a global success worldwide, earned two Grammy Awards and featured the UK and Billboard number-one singles "Keep on Movin'" and "Back to Life ".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Listen to Your Heart (Roxette song)</span> 1988 song by Roxette

"Listen to Your Heart" is a song by Swedish rock duo Roxette, originally released in Sweden in September 1988 as the second single from the duo's second studio album, Look Sharp! (1988). It was written by Per Gessle with former Gyllene Tider guitarist Mats "M.P." Persson. The song went on to become one of the most successful singles of 1989, reaching number one in both the United States and Canada around November 1989. The track was the first song to reach number one in the US without a commercially released 7-inch single.

<i>Diamond Life</i> 1984 studio album by Sade

Diamond Life is the debut studio album by English band Sade, released in the United Kingdom on 16 July 1984 by Epic Records and in the United States on 27 February 1985 by Portrait Records. After studying fashion design, and later modelling, Sade Adu began backup-singing with British band Pride. During this time Adu and three of the original members of "Pride"—Paul Anthony Cook, Paul Denman and Stuart Matthewman—left the group to form their own band called Sade. After various demos and performances, Sade received interest from record labels and signed to Epic.

<i>Vol. II: 1990 – A New Decade</i> 1990 studio album by Soul II Soul

Vol. II: 1990 – A New Decade is a 1990 album by Soul II Soul. The album reached No. 1 in the UK in May 1990, and contained three UK hits, "Get a Life", which reached No. 3, "A Dream's a Dream", which made No. 6, and "Missing You", which reached No. 22.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Oasis discography</span>

The discography of the English rock band Oasis consists of seven studio albums, two live albums, five compilation albums, six video albums, one extended play, twenty seven singles which includes one double single, nineteen promotional singles and thirty-six music videos. As of 2024, the band have sold 75 million records worldwide, making them one of the best-selling music artists of all time and been cited by Guinness World Records as the most successful act in the United Kingdom between the years 1995 and 2005. Oasis had 22 consecutive UK top 10 hits between 1994 and 2008. Oasis was formed in 1991 by vocalist Liam Gallagher, guitarist Paul "Bonehead" Arthurs, bassist Paul "Guigsy" McGuigan and drummer Tony McCarroll – they were later joined by guitarist and songwriter Noel Gallagher. The band signed to Creation Records in May 1993 and released their debut single "Supersonic" the following year; it peaked at number 31 in the United Kingdom. Follow-up singles "Shakermaker" and "Live Forever" became UK top 15 hits, with the latter also attaining success in the United States. Definitely Maybe, the band's debut studio album, topped the UK Albums Chart and went on to be certified eight times platinum by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Back to Life (However Do You Want Me)</span> 1989 song by Soul II Soul

"Back to Life (However Do You Want Me)" is a song by British R&B band Soul II Soul featuring the Reggae Philharmonic Orchestra. It is an alternate version of a song that appears on their secondary debut album, Club Classics Vol. One (1989) (titled Keep On Movin' in the United States), and was released as its second single on 29 May 1989 by Virgin. "Back to Life" is one of two songs on the album featuring British singer Caron Wheeler and gained success in both North America and Europe, topping the charts in the Netherlands and the United Kingdom and peaking at number four in the United States. Its music video, directed by Monty Whitebloom & Andy Delaney, of Big TV!, sees the group performing in a forest. Soul II Soul won their first Grammy Award for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal with the song in 1990. It was later included on a tenth-anniversary edition of the album.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Queen discography</span> Cataloguing of published recordings by Queen

British rock band Queen have released 15 studio albums, 10 live albums, 16 compilation albums, 2 soundtrack albums, 2 extended plays, 73 singles, and 7 promotional singles. Queen was formed in London by Freddie Mercury, Brian May (guitar), and Roger Taylor (drums), and in 1971, John Deacon (bassist) became a member.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sleeping Satellite</span> 1992 single by Tasmin Archer

"Sleeping Satellite" is a song by British singer-songwriter Tasmin Archer, released in September 1992 by EMI and SBK as the first single from her debut album, Great Expectations (1992). The song was written by Archer with John Beck and John Hughes, and produced by Julian Mendelsohn and Paul Wickens. It received favorable reviews from music critics and became an international hit. "Sleeping Satellite" peaked at number one in the United Kingdom, Greece, Ireland, and Israel, and reached the top 20 in 13 other countries, as well as numbers 32 and 24 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and Cash Box Top 100 in June 1993. There were two different music videos produced to promote the single.

<i>Heavy Nova</i> (album) 1988 studio album by Robert Palmer

Heavy Nova is the ninth studio album by English singer Robert Palmer, released in 1988. His first album for EMI Records after a 15-year association with Island Records, it followed Palmer's very successful album Riptide (1985).

<i>The Greatest Hits Collection</i> (Alan Jackson album) 1995 compilation album by Alan Jackson

The Greatest Hits Collection is the first compilation album by American country music artist Alan Jackson. Released on October 24, 1995, it includes the greatest hits from his first four studio albums, as well as an album cut from his 1990 debut Here in the Real World and two new tracks — "Tall, Tall Trees" and "I'll Try", both of which were Number One hits for him on the Billboard Hot Country Songs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Keep On Movin' (Soul II Soul song)</span> 1989 single by Soul II Soul

"Keep On Movin'" is a song by British soul and R&B band Soul II Soul. It was the second single released in March 1989 by Virgin from their debut album, Club Classics Vol. One (1989), after "Fairplay". It is one of two songs on the album that features British R&B singer Caron Wheeler and it became one of Soul II Soul's most successful songs. It reached number five on the UK Singles Chart upon its release in March 1989 and number 11 on the US Billboard Hot 100, and was even more successful on Billboard's R&B charts, where it hit number one.

<i>Breezin</i> 1976 studio album by George Benson

Breezin' is the fifteenth studio album by jazz/soul guitarist and vocalist George Benson. It is his debut on Warner Bros. Records. It not only was a chart-topper in the Jazz category but also went to #1 on the pop and R&B charts. It was certified triple platinum, making it one of the best-selling jazz albums of all time.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Livin' It Up (Ja Rule song)</span> 2001 single by Ja Rule and Case

"Livin' It Up" is a song by American rapper Ja Rule featuring singer Case, released in July 2001 through Def Jam Recordings and Irv Gotti's Murder Inc. Records, as the lead single from Ja Rule's third studio album, Pain Is Love (2001). The song, produced by Lil Rob and Irv Gotti, samples Stevie Wonder's 1982 song "Do I Do". In the United States, "Livin' It Up" peaked at number six on the Billboard Hot 100. It received a re-issue in the United Kingdom in 2002 and peaked at number five on the UK Singles Chart. Retired NBA All-Star Baron Davis and former pornographic actress Sunny Leone make appearances in the video.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Livin' in the Light</span> 1990 single by Caron Wheeler

"Livin' in the Light" is a song by British singer-songwriter Caron Wheeler, released in August 1990 as the first single from her debut solo album, UK Blak (1990). Wheeler wrote the song with N. P. Hail, and produced it with Afrika Baby Bam and Blacksmith. It is a soul song that incorporates elements of neo soul, electronica, and 1970s-style funk music. Its lyrics describe people being dragged away from their culture and having to survive within a new surrounding. The song references slavery and reparations.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Soul II Soul discography</span>

British musical group Soul II Soul has released five studio albums, two compilation albums, two live albums, and 18 singles.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Caron Wheeler discography</span>

British singer and songwriter Caron Wheeler has released two studio albums, one live album, one compilation albums, and 14 singles. She has sold over 6.6 million records collectively as a solo artist and, with Brown Sugar and Soul II Soul.

<i>Beach of the War Goddess</i> 1993 studio album by Caron Wheeler

Beach of the War Goddess is the second studio album by British recording artist Caron Wheeler. The album was released on 23 February 1993 by EMI Records in collaboration with RCA Records.

<i>The Chimes</i> (album) 1990 studio album by The Chimes

The Chimes is the only studio album by Scottish dance music act The Chimes, released in 1990. Featuring singer Pauline Henry on vocals, the album includes their cover of U2's "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For", which reached number six in the UK Singles Chart, along with their other top 40 hit "Heaven", which reached number 24. The album was certified silver in the UK, and gold in Australia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wild Women Do</span> 1990 single by Natalie Cole

"Wild Women Do" is a song by American singer-songwriter Natalie Cole. The song was written by Greg Prestopino, Sam Lorber, and Matthew Wilder for the 1990 romantic comedy film Pretty Woman and was included on the film's soundtrack as the opening track. The song contains influences from pop, rock, R&B, and soul music, and its lyrics describe an independent woman who lives a wild life. In 1990, the song was also included on certain re-issues of Cole's 1989 album Good to Be Back.

References

  1. "UK Blak – Caron Wheeler – Songs, Reviews, Credits – AllMusic". AllMusic . Retrieved 27 March 2017.
  2. Christgau, Robert. "Robert Christgau: CG: Caron Wheeler". robertchristgau.com. Retrieved 7 January 2023.
  3. Robbins, Ira (12 October 1990). "UK Blak". Entertainment Weekly .
  4. Hunt, Dennis (7 October 1990). "In Brief". Los Angeles Times . Retrieved 21 January 2023.
  5. Henderson, Alex. "UK Blak – Caron Wheeler". AllMusic . Retrieved 27 November 2012.
  6. Wheeler, Caron (13 May 1990). "UK Blak CD Liner Notes: DIDY 009232 / CDP 593497". EMI Records.{{cite web}}: Missing or empty |url= (help)
  7. "Bubbling DownUnder Week commencing 10 December 1990". www.bubblingdownunder.com. 10 December 2021. Retrieved 10 December 2021.
  8. "Caron Wheeler ARIA chart history, received from ARIA in May 2024". ARIA. Retrieved 8 July 2024 via Imgur.com. N.B. The High Point number in the NAT column represents the release's peak on the national chart.
  9. Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 598. ISBN   1-904994-10-5.
  10. Caron Wheeler - Chart History | Billboard. Billboard. Retrieved on November 26, 2016
  11. Wynn, Ron. "Caron Wheeler: Chart History". billboard.com. Retrieved 25 November 2012.
  12. "British album certifications – Caron Wheeler – UK Blak". British Phonographic Industry . Retrieved 26 November 2016.Select albums in the Format field. Select Silver in the Certification field. Type UK Blak in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.