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Light of the World
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Territory of Representation
Exclusive representation in Europe (excluding the UK), Africa, Asia & Australia
In a nutshell
Light Of The World is widely acknowledged in the UK as true Innovators of Nu-Soul/Funk & Jazz. Their unique sound is a branded combination of gutsy soulful vocals, tight jazz horn melodies, essential rhythms and fat gritty bass lines.
In 2006 EMI Records released the band's Anthology “Addicted To Funk” which span the bands 26-year recording history. A new collaboration with Alexander O'Neal has culminated in the creation of a new track “Walk Don't Run”.
LOTW's live show is an authentic slice of fast funky floor fillers. The band perform their most popular hits London Town, I Shot the Sheriff, No.1 Girl, I'm So Happy, Feel The Real (which is featured on the new Carl Cox album titled “Second Sign”), plus many of the band's major recordings.
Light of the World continues to perform live throughout the world, as well as record new material for release, spreading their special brand of funk and happiness.
Biography
The history of Light of the World can be traced back as early as 1975 when Paul ‘Tubbs' Williams began joining in practice sessions with a group of friends. As players came and went the sessions became more serious and the eventual 8-piece line-up began arranging gigs in and around the East End of London. Interest in the band grew and they signed to Ensign Records releasing their debut album – ‘Light of the World' – in 1979.
The album was well received but tragedy struck after a particularly successful nationwide tour to promote it. Returning from Scotland one of the vans crashed killing the band's percussionist and this, in turn, was followed by the departure of ‘Bluey', the band's guitarist. The remaining members advertised for replacements, which is where ‘Nat' Augustin and Gee Bello entered the scene in January 1979. This line-up was to release a further four singles (making six in all) and a second album before parting with their record company as well as each other. In June '81 the band undertook a 12-date, farewell tour of the UK, which culminated in an emotional, sell-out at London's Hammersmith Odeon.
By this time ‘Tubbs' was already involved with his own project “Incognito” and three other members (Breeze, Kenny, Baps) had decided to form “Beggar & Co.”, leaving Nat and Gee to continue as Light of the World .
The duo signed a long-term worldwide recording contract with EMI Records (UK) in September (1981), releasing their first single with the company – Ride The Love Train – in November. Work than began on the album, recorded during January at the Sound Suite Studios in Camden Town. Nat and Gee invited Nigel Martinez to produce after hearing his work with Billy Ocean and Norman Connors. They also asked Tubbs to help out (he'd recently disbanded Incognito) and the liaison worked so well that he was asked to join Light of the World permanently just as he was on the point of asking if he could do so.
In 1982 Light of the World released its debut album for EMI Records (UK) called ‘Check Us Out', followed by the release of a second single No. 1 Girl (12”). This led to a major UK tour starting in Southend on Friday 23rd July 1982 and finishing at London's Hammersmith Odeon on Saturday 31st July 1982. Tubbs, Nat and Gee were joined by other members from the Original Light of the World line-up (Mel Gaynor, Peter Hinds and David Baptiste). Kenny and Breeze did not re-join.
In 2006 EMI Records released the band's Anthology “Addicted To Funk” which span the band's 26-year recording history. It contains two CD's, the first featuring The Band's Greatest Hits, the second CD features “Associated Projects & Rarities” including Incognito, Spandau Ballet, Ronnie Laws, The Team, Gee Bello & Beggar & Co. A new collaboration with Alexander O'Neal has culminated in the creation of a new track “Walk Don't Run”.
Light of the World continues to perform live throughout the world, as well as record new material for release, spreading their special brand of funk and happiness.
(source: LOTW c/o TMC Events / edited by Quentin Geerinckx )
