Anthology -Addicted to.. [CD]

Light Of the World. A name that should need no introduction to evryone. After all, everyones heard of Earth Wind & Fire and Kool and the Gang. But they are American, and LOTW are British.

Its often the way that our home grown bands and artists don't get as recognised as they should and this is the case with Light Of the World, as it is with British jazz 'stars' like Dick Morrissey, who should have been world famous a la Charlie Parker, but thats another story..

Light of the World have both feet firmly planted in the funk and from their debut in 1979 they kicked butt in a big way, acheiving chart success and a cult following. Their album Round Trip followed in 1980 produced by LA producer Augie Johnson and featuring ex-Crusaders trombonist Wayne Henderson on one track 'Petes Crusade.' Following this album LOTW fractured into sveral projects, including Beggar & Co, and Incognito. Light of the World made a further LP in 1983 and a remix of 'London Town' in 1985 and then a few odd new tracks between then and 1999 with the release of 'Inner Voices' which is an amazing album in itself. There has been no follow up studio album to this one, however this compilation helps to stop the gap.

A double CD, Cd 1 contains in chronological order a selection of hits and notable tracks including the aforementioned 'Petes Crusade', a ten minute twelve inch version of the stomping 'Time' 'The Boys In Blue' which was never on an album, and other stompingly funky tunes. On these, the funky full fat bass of Paul 'Tubbs' Williams and the blasting horn section is just amazing. In this guise LOTW blow Incognito into the weeds. I've always found Incognito to be good, but a bit lacking in the funk department. If only it had been LOTW that had been relaunched properly in the late 80's and not Incognito, But i digress.

There are tracks from LOTW's 'Check Us Out' LP from '83 which includes the cool as funk ' Everybody Move' then we have from the 90's 'Keep the dream alive' and the Luther King inspired One Destination,' and then the first Cd is brought up to date with the new tracks, a cover of David Bendeth's 'Feel the Real' and the highlight of the entire side one, a track that should have been setting the radio staions on fire if anyone bothered to play it; ' Walk Don't Run' which is pure vintage LOTW yet with a contemporary flavour. This track features Alexander o'Neal and is worth the purchase price alone.

CD2 contains notable tracks from the offshoot projects including Beggar & Co, Incognito, and Spandau Ballet's 'Chant No1' for which Beggar & Co provided the horns. There are some rare versions tucked away here which are nice to hear, and a few more rarities from another LOTW project The Team which hails from the mid 80's and is a bit electrfunky.

I can't help thinking that CD2 is a bit patchy but that is due to the nature of the tracks. I think i would have personally preferred a few more LOTW tracks including perhaps some B-sides and rare 12" mixes and maybe London Town 85 which is arguably better than the original.

Still, its nice to hear all this stuff and to be honest even the odd few clunkers on CD2 are hardly noticeable such is the quality of the rest of it.

I can't help thinking that if LOTW hadn't fractured in 1981, then they would have gone on making cool albums and would be a force to be reckoned with. Its also a shame there is nothing hear from 1999's 'Inner Voices' or that they haven't followed it up yet with a new studio album. lets hope that will change soon.

In the meantime buy this album,

And someone somewhere hassle a radio DJ to play 'Walk Don't Run.' Its far too good for no-one else to hear it..

Seen LOTW live at the Jazz Cafe Camden many times and they never dissapoint. The album is brilliant covering most of their stuff and more. A must have for all British Soul and Funk fans.

I didn't really know Light of the World at the time that they were most successful, but I knew a few of the tracks on the second cd by related acts. Now I know that not knowing Light of the World at the time was really my loss, because every track on this compilation is top class. Above and beyond the music, the quality of the whole package is superb - an informative booklet that takes the time to talk about each track.

If you are interested or curious enough to be looking at this compilation then you should probably just by it.