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Light of the World (band)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Light of the World
OriginLondon, England
GenresJazz-funk, Brit funk[1]
Years active1978–present
LabelsEnsign, EMI

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

Biography

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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. Their 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

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Studio albums

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Year Album Label UK
[5][6]
1979 Light of the World Ensign
1980 Round Trip 73
1981 Remixed Mercury
1982 Check Us Out EMI
1999 Inner Voices Sanctuary
"—" denotes releases that did not chart.

Compilation album

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  • The Best of Light of the World (Ensign, 1985)

Singles

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Year Song 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.

References

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  1. ^ a b c 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. ^ a b c d e Hogan, Ed. "Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved 12 February 2022.
  4. ^ Lester, Paul (5 February 2014). "10 of the best: Britfunk". The Guardian.
  5. ^ a b c d Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 321. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
  6. ^ a b c "LIGHT OF THE WORLD - full Official Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 12 February 2022.
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