UK Blak


UK Blak is the debut studio album by British singer Caron Wheeler. It was released on 15 May 1990 by EMI Records. Recording sessions for the album took place from January 1990 to March 1990 at several studios, during the hiatus from her group Soul II Soul. As executive producer of the album, Wheeler took a wider role in its production, co-writing a majority of the songs, choosing which ones to produce and sharing ideas on the mixing and mastering of tracks. The album includes the single "Livin' in the Light", which reached the UK Top 20, plus three further singles, "UK Blak", "Blue " and "Don't Quit".

Background

In 1990, Wheeler left Soul II Soul to pursue a solo career, and shortly after leaving the group she secured a contract with RCA/EMI Records. The album charted well in the UK Albums Chart with the help of the first single "Livin' in the Light".
In the album liner notes, it is said that "This album was made with loving thoughts of Martin Shure, and inspired by Skakti Gawain and Marvin Gaye."

Personnel

  • Caron Wheeler – lead vocals, backing vocals, producer, executive producer, vocal producer, songwriter
  • Aniija – mbira
  • Karl Atkins – keyboards, songwriter
  • Tim Atkins – drum programming, songwriter
  • Afrika Baby Bam – producer, programming, songwriter
  • Trevor Bedford – additional recording engineer
  • Rick Bell – saxophone
  • Blacksmith – producer
  • Bolaii Adeola Badeio – backing vocals
  • Boy George – songwriter
  • Brian Bramble – bass, drum programming, synthesizer programming
  • Clevie Browne – drums and producer, songwriter
  • Danny Browne – guitar
  • Mark Brydon – producer and songwriter
  • Ray Carless – saxophone
  • Clinton Clarke – trombone
  • Colin – assistant recording engineer
  • Victor Cross – keyboards
  • DJ Devastate – additional programming
  • Pandit Dinesh – percussion
  • Adam Fuest – recording engineer
  • Roger Guthrie – saxophone
  • Lee Hamblin – recording engineer
  • Jimmy "Senya" Haynes – producer and songwriter
  • Mickey Isley – assistant engineer
  • Derek Johnson – guitar
  • Wycliffe Johnson – keyboards, producer, songwriter
  • Ben Jones – tape op
  • Mr. Lawnee – scratches
  • Gregg Mann – mixing
  • Carl McIntosh – producer and songwriter
  • MC Mell'O' – rap and songwriter
  • Dick "TCB" Meaney – assistant recording engineer
  • Gordon Milne – recording engineer
  • Clifton "Bigga" Morrison – keyboards
  • Mike Gee – bass
  • Robert Power – recording engineer
  • Errol Reid – keyboards
  • Arabella Rodriguez – mixing
  • Dr. Shane Faber – keyboards and recording engineer
  • Ray Simpson – lead vocals, backing vocals, keyboards, drum programming
  • Simon Stirling – strings arrangement
  • Stephen Steward – recording engineer
  • Stevie G – bass, drum programming, synthesizer programming
  • Robert Sithole – flute
  • Towa Tei – producer
  • Henry "Buttons" Tenyue – brass
  • Patrick Tenyue – brass
  • Peter Trotman – bass, songwriter, vocal arrangement
  • The Twilight Firm – producer
  • Carl Ward – producer
  • Sheila Watts – harp