Light of the World (band)

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

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

Studio albums

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

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

Singles

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

  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.