The Undivided

Listen To The World

1973
    LP: Decca SKL 5168 /UK

    Tracks:
    Side 1:

    1. You Can All Join In (Mason)
    2. You Were On My Mind (Fricker)
    3. Spanish Harlem (Leiber/Spector)
    4. Come On Over To My Place (Mann/Weil)
    5. A Place In The Sun (Miller/Wells)
    6. The Harder They Come (Cliff)
    Side 2:
    1. Listen To The World (Hammond/Hazlewood)
    2. You Put A Number On Me (Levin/Russel)
    3. Dream Lover (Darin)
    4. Happy Birthday, Sweet Sixteen (Greenfield/Sedaka)
    5. I'm A Believer (Diamond)
    6. Sunshine Superman (Leitch)


    Credits:


    Arrangements: Gene Rondo; Brass arrangements: Gene, Satch, Rudi
    Producers: Nick Tauber, Keith Whiting. Engineers: Derek Varnals, Kevin Fuller, Alan Leening, Dave Baker

    Thanks to Barry Anthony, Tony Roberts, Barry Kingston, Don Reedman, Martin Humphrey, Dave Hunter and T.W. Music

    Front cover photograph: David Wedgbury, Szette Stephens
    Back cover photographs: Keith Whiting

     

    Liner notes by Tony Manners:

    The Undivided recorded this album in London during May and June 1973, and came into the studio to record authentic Jamaican reggae at its best. Their long experience as a group is evident in their complete confidence in each other, and their ability to improvise around a song. Members of the group stand quietly playing in the studio, eyes closed in concentration, without making any apparent effort, while they produce exciting, rhythmic music that's constantly changing and growing. The basic rhythm tracks were recorded first with a notable drum and bass work as the foundation for all that followed. Onto these backings of bass, drums, organ, lead and rhythm guitar, were added brass, extra percussion and the vocals.

    The sessions became a mixture of rapid, efficient work as the group recorded, and a lot of fun as the tapes were played back, decisions made, photos taken and the producers and engineers mixed the final versions of each song.

    The Undivided have been playing professionally in Britain for two years. All but one member of the group being Jamaican born. Reggae music comes from the West Indies, but what you hear on this record is Jamaican style reggae, the kind The Undivided grew up with, and continue to play without any musical compromises.

    Talking about playing live and how reggae music can effect people, Gene Rondo says "This music is a source of live, you can build yourself around it. We play a gig and see a man sat there half the night not moving at all, suddenly he's on his feet moving to the music. One note can spark you off." Other members of the group smile and nod in agreement, they know it's all right, and they want you to feel it too.


    Thanks to Charly Reggae for helping me with the material for this side (and more information for this site! Respect!)

    "The 1973 LP is not the strongest Reggae album, featuring many pop hits, but there are a couple of gems on there. Ironically the follow-up LP from 1978 features a couple of Rico tracks but no Rico present!"



The Undivided
Rico's Music | Index | A WOMAD Soul
Compiled by Mr. Braunov, Jan. 2005
Last updated: 28.1.2005