''Influences'' is the debut solo
album
An album is a collection of audio recordings issued on compact disc (CD), Phonograph record, vinyl, audio tape, or another medium such as Digital distribution#Music, digital distribution. Albums of recorded sound were developed in the early ...
by English musician
Mark King, singer and bass player with
Level 42
Level 42 is an English jazz-funk band formed on the Isle of Wight in 1979. They had a number of UK and worldwide hits during the 1980s and 1990s.
Their highest-charting single in the UK was " Lessons in Love", which reached number three on the ...
. It was released by
Polydor Records
Polydor Records Ltd. is a German-British record label that operates as part of Universal Music Group. It has a close relationship with Universal's Interscope Geffen A&M Records label, which distributes Polydor's releases in the United States. ...
in July 1984.
The album features a cover of the song "
I Feel Free
"I Feel Free" is a song first recorded by the British rock band Cream. The lyrics were written by Pete Brown, with the music by Jack Bruce. The song showcases the band's musical diversity, effectively combining blues rock with psychedelic pop. ...
" by
Cream
Cream is a dairy product composed of the higher-fat layer skimmed from the top of milk before homogenization. In un-homogenized milk, the fat, which is less dense, eventually rises to the top. In the industrial production of cream, this process ...
, which was released as a single. King played most of the instruments on the album. Guest musicians include Level 42 keyboardist
Mike Lindup
Michael David Lindup (born 17 March 1959) is a musician best known as the keyboard player and falsetto voiced singer, who joined with Mark King and brothers Phil and Boon Gould to form the British jazz-funk/pop rock band, Level 42.
Early lif ...
and
Drummie Zeb
Angus Gaye (24 September 1959 – 2 September 2022), better known as Drummie Zeb, was a British musician. He was the drummer and vocalist for the reggae band Aswad, as well as a record producer for other artists.
Early life
Gaye was born in Lond ...
from
Aswad
Aswad are a British reggae group, noted for adding strong R&B and soul influences to the reggae sound. They have been performing since the mid-1970s, having released a total of 21 albums. Their UK hit singles include the number one "Don't Tur ...
, the latter of whom played drums on "Clocks Go Forward".
The album charted at No.77 in the UK.
Track listing
# "The Essential"
( Mark King) – 18:32
# "Clocks Go Forward"
(Mark King, R.Gould) – 5:20
# "
I Feel Free
"I Feel Free" is a song first recorded by the British rock band Cream. The lyrics were written by Pete Brown, with the music by Jack Bruce. The song showcases the band's musical diversity, effectively combining blues rock with psychedelic pop. ...
"
(Jack Bruce
John Symon Asher Bruce (14 May 1943 – 25 October 2014) was a Scottish bassist, singer-songwriter, musician and composer. He gained popularity as the primary lead vocalist and bassist of British rock band Cream. After the group disbande ...
, Pete Brown
Peter Ronald Brown (born 25 December 1940) is an English performance poet, lyricist, and singer best known for his collaborations with Cream and Jack Bruce.Colin Larkin, ''Virgin Encyclopedia of Sixties Music'', (Muze UK Ltd, 1997), , p. 80 Bro ...
) – 4:37
# "Pictures On The Wall"
(Mark King, R.Gould) – 4:51
# "There is a Dog"
(Mark King) – 6:26
Personnel
*
Mark King – vocals, basses, guitar, keyboards, percussion and drums
*
Mike Lindup
Michael David Lindup (born 17 March 1959) is a musician best known as the keyboard player and falsetto voiced singer, who joined with Mark King and brothers Phil and Boon Gould to form the British jazz-funk/pop rock band, Level 42.
Early lif ...
– Fender Rhodes, Yamaha DX7 and backing vocals
*
Gary Barnacle
Gary Barnacle (born 1959 in Dover, England) is an English saxophonist, flautist, brass instrument arranger, composer, and producer. Barnacle is primarily noted for his session work and live work, including various Prince's Trust concerts at Wem ...
– electric sax, saxophone and flute
*
Steve Sidwell – trumpet
*
Adrian Lee
Adrian Lee (born 9 September 1957, London, England) is an English musician, known especially for his brass instrumentation work with several well-known acts of the 1980s.
Career
Lee was first signed to Phonogram Records in the late 1970s as g ...
– Wave PPG synthesiser
*
Drummie – drums on "Clocks Go Forward"
*Bruce Dukov – violins
*Francis Mitchell – cello
*
Mike Vernon, Jeremy Green and Linda Richardson – the choir on "The Essential"
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:Influences
1984 debut albums
Mark King (musician) albums
Polydor Records albums