Light of the World

Light Of The World 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". The band was formed by Breeze McKrieth, Kenny Wellington, Paul Williams , Jean Paul Maunick and David Baptiste.

Original line-up

The band's original 1978 line up was:
*Kenny Wellington (trumpet, flugelhorn, percussion, vocals, horn arrangements, producer)
*David 'Baps' Baptiste (saxophone, flute, percussion, vocals, arrangements)
*Chris Etienne (percussion)
*Peter 'Stepper' Hinds (keyboards)
*Jean-Paul 'Bluey' Maunick (guitar, lead and backing vocals, producer)
*Everton McCalla (drums)
*Neville 'Breeze' McKrieth (guitar, lead and backing vocals, producer)
*Paul 'Tubbs' Williams (bass, lead and backing vocals) [ [http://www.myspace.com/lightoftheworldmusic Myspace.com/lightoftheworldmusic] ]

Various other line-ups and spin-offs

These members also played with the band on their many performances in clubs throughout the UK before securing their first recording contract.
*Norman Walker (percussion)
*Earl Appleton (keyboards)
*Junior King (drums)
*Roger Thomas (saxophone)

The following members joined the line-up in 1979 after the recording of the first album and with the band already signed to Ensign Records/Polygram, following the death of Chris Etienne when the band were in involved in a motorway crash. After auditions Nat Augustin and Ganiyu Bello, who had travelled from Manchester, joined the band. The band recorded a second album followed by a successful tour.

The band split up for the first time in 1981.

Wellington, Baptiste and McKreith became Beggar & Co [ [http://www.myspace.com/beggarandco Myspace.com/beggarandco] ] and immediately hit the Top 20 with "Somebody Help Me Out". This was followed by work on the Spandau Ballet track "Chant No.1" which was reached #2 in the UK Singles Chart. Maunick, Hinds and Williams formed Incognito. Bello and Augustin continued briefly as Light Of The World before recording solo material for EMI and Polydor.

There was a brief Light Of The World reunion in 1982 just before Bello and Augustin embarked on their solo recordings.

In 1985 Wellington and McKrieth reformed the band after working on some remixes with DJ, John Morales. This included a remix of the popular tracks "London Town" and "Time". Light Of The World reformed briefly again in 1990, recording for Chrysalis.

Various configurations followed including the single "Keep The Dream Alive" with Kenny Wellington and Nat Augustin produced by Simon Law. This was followed by a configuration of Kenny Wellington and Bello with Jean Paul Maunick in charge of production for a single "One Destination". Bello had also put together another splinter group called The Team and had dancefloor success with the track "Wicki Wacki House Party". In the meantime Nat Augustin replaced Ashley Ingram in the group Imagination and record the album "Fascination Of The Physical".

In 1999 Wellington assembled most of the original band including McKrieth and Baptiste to co- produce anpther album "Inner Voices" with producer Richard Bull. Augustin was also on board for the recording along with bass player Frank Felix who, after years of live performance with the band, was invited by Kenny Wellington to join. Other than compilation albums this was the last studio album involving the original band members.

Currently the founder members of the band are working once again together with a line up including Wellington, McKrieth, Baptiste, Maunick and Hinds and have just recorded a new album. Everton McCalla is also expected to be involved.

Current line-up

Although no original members are currently involved Bello and Augustin perform as Light Of The World with a new line up of musicians on board, although Colin Grahame has appeared with the band on many occasions over the years. A new line-up are featured on the most recent CD, "Brass, Strings N' Things" under the collective name of Beggar & Co featuring The Funk Jazz Collective:-
*Kenny Wellington trumpet,flugelhorn, vocals, percussion, production
*Kevin Robinson trumpet, flugelhorn, percussion
*Fayyaz Virji trombone, percussion, production
*David Baptiste saxophone, flute, vocals
*Breeze McKrieth guitar, vocals
*Jean Paul Maunick guitar, vocals, production
*Camelle Hinds bass,lead vocals
*Orphy Robinson vibraphone, percussion
*Noel McKoy lead vocals
*Billy Osborne drums, production
*Toby Baker keyboards, vocals
*Peter Hinds keyboards

[ [http://www.myspace.com/lightoftheworldmusic Myspace.com/lightoftheworldmusic] ] [ [http://www.myspace.com/beggarandco Myspace.com/beggarandco] ]

Kenny Wellington has also released a solo album "Kind Of Black". [ [http://www.myspace.com/kennywellington Myspace.com/kennywellington] ]

Benefit concert

Founder member, Paul 'Tubbs' Williams died in early 2007 and a benefit concert was held for him at Dingwalls in Camden. This show featured all the original members back on stage together along with guests including Junior Giscombe, Kenny Thomas and Leee John.

Discography

Albums

*"Light Of The World" (Ensign 1979)
*"Round Trip" (Ensign 1980)
*"Remixed" (Mercury 1981)
*"Check Us Out" (EMI 1982)
*"Inner Voices" (Sanctuary 1999)

ingles

*"Swingin'" (Ensign 12" 1979)
*"Midnight Groovin'" (Ensign 12" 1979)
*"The Boys In Blue" (Ensign 12" 1980)
*"This Is This" (Ensign 12" 1980)
*"London Town" (Ensign 12" 1980)
*"Pete's Crusade" (Ensign 12" 1980)
*"I Shot The Sheriff" (Ensign 12" 1980)
*"Time" (Mercury 12" Remix 1980)
*"I'm So Happy" (Mercury 12" 1980)
*"No. 1 Girl" (EMI 12" 1982)
*"Expansions" (Ensign 1992)
*"Got To Get Your Own" (Ensign 1992)
*"City Life" (Sanctuary 1999)
*"Slow Down" (Sanctuary 1999)

References