B for Brotherhood
Encyclopedia
B for Brotherhood is the fifth album by pop group Brotherhood of Man
. It was released in 1978 and featured the UK No.1 single "Figaro
"
" and "Beautiful Lover", which were hits in Europe, reaching No.1 and No.15 respectively in the UK. The album was TV advertised and reached No.18 in the UK Charts, their highest charting album to this point. It was certified silver with sales of over 60,000 on 1 September 1978.
The songs on the album were in the group's now full-fledged pop mould, after experimenting with differing styles on their earlier albums. The tracks were mostly sung by the female members of the group and were often commented upon by the media on their similarity in style to ABBA
. Like the group's other albums, the tracks were produced by manager Tony Hiller
. Member Lee Sheriden
was the musical director on six of the songs (including the two singles), while Colin Frechter
performed this task on the other six. Sheriden later recalled that the recording sessions would work as follows; "Ten o'clock to one o'clock, we would put down the rhythm section - the guitar, the bass, the piano, drums, percussion and everything. Then in the afternoon the strings would come in and we'd put on all the brass and woodwind. And then in the evening the singers would come in, they'd been in bed all day, while I'd been working, but the idea is the voices would be warmer, you can sing a bit better at night. Recording sessions would then wrap up around midnight".
Track "Greatest Love" is referred to on the label as "The Greatest Love I've Ever Known". Track "People Over the World" was later covered by duo Peters and Lee
and released as a single in 1979. The front cover of the album does not feature the group's name, although the back cover gives the title as: B for Brotherhood of Man. The album cover depicts the group in an autumn forest and reviews at the time made mention of the sophisticated look of the album. On closer inspection however, it is clear that the forest is merely a blown-up photograph.
Side Two
All tracks composed by Tony Hiller, Lee Sheriden and Martin Lee
Brotherhood of Man
Brotherhood of Man are a British pop group who achieved success in the 1970s, most notably by winning the 1976 Eurovision Song Contest with "Save Your Kisses for Me"....
. It was released in 1978 and featured the UK No.1 single "Figaro
Figaro (song)
"Figaro" is a song by British pop group Brotherhood of Man. It was released as a single in January 1978 and became the group's third and final number one hit in the UK.- Background :...
"
Background
The album was released on Pye Records in June 1978 and featured the singles "FigaroFigaro (song)
"Figaro" is a song by British pop group Brotherhood of Man. It was released as a single in January 1978 and became the group's third and final number one hit in the UK.- Background :...
" and "Beautiful Lover", which were hits in Europe, reaching No.1 and No.15 respectively in the UK. The album was TV advertised and reached No.18 in the UK Charts, their highest charting album to this point. It was certified silver with sales of over 60,000 on 1 September 1978.
The songs on the album were in the group's now full-fledged pop mould, after experimenting with differing styles on their earlier albums. The tracks were mostly sung by the female members of the group and were often commented upon by the media on their similarity in style to ABBA
ABBA
ABBA was a Swedish pop group formed in Stockholm in 1970 which consisted of Anni-Frid Lyngstad, Björn Ulvaeus, Benny Andersson and Agnetha Fältskog...
. Like the group's other albums, the tracks were produced by manager Tony Hiller
Tony Hiller
Tony Hiller is a British songwriter. He began his musical career as a member of the song and dance duo The Hiller Brothers, sharing the stage with his brother Irving...
. Member Lee Sheriden
Lee Sheriden
Lee Sheriden is a British singer/songwriter and musical director, best known as a member of pop group Brotherhood of Man.-Early career:...
was the musical director on six of the songs (including the two singles), while Colin Frechter
Colin Frechter
Colin Frechter has a long tenure in the music business primarily as a musical director, arranger, keyboard player, and vocalist.Colin has worked with The Four Tops, The Bay City Rollers Colin Frechter has a long tenure in the music business primarily as a musical director, arranger, keyboard...
performed this task on the other six. Sheriden later recalled that the recording sessions would work as follows; "Ten o'clock to one o'clock, we would put down the rhythm section - the guitar, the bass, the piano, drums, percussion and everything. Then in the afternoon the strings would come in and we'd put on all the brass and woodwind. And then in the evening the singers would come in, they'd been in bed all day, while I'd been working, but the idea is the voices would be warmer, you can sing a bit better at night. Recording sessions would then wrap up around midnight".
Track "Greatest Love" is referred to on the label as "The Greatest Love I've Ever Known". Track "People Over the World" was later covered by duo Peters and Lee
Peters and Lee
Peters and Lee were a successful British folk/pop duo of the 1970s, comprising Lennie Peters and Dianne Lee .-Background:...
and released as a single in 1979. The front cover of the album does not feature the group's name, although the back cover gives the title as: B for Brotherhood of Man. The album cover depicts the group in an autumn forest and reviews at the time made mention of the sophisticated look of the album. On closer inspection however, it is clear that the forest is merely a blown-up photograph.
Track listing
Side One- "Figaro"Figaro (song)"Figaro" is a song by British pop group Brotherhood of Man. It was released as a single in January 1978 and became the group's third and final number one hit in the UK.- Background :...
(2.57) - "Broken Hearted Avenue" (3.08)
- "Cinderella" (3.33)
- "When Summer's Gone" (3.22)
- "I'll Never Let You Down" (3.15)
- "In Love" (3.52)
Side Two
- "Beautiful Lover" (3.27)
- "I'm in a Dancing Mood" (3.11)
- "Much Better Than You" (2.41)
- "Roulette" (2.56)
- "Greatest Love" (3.08)
- "People Over the World" (3.01)
All tracks composed by Tony Hiller, Lee Sheriden and Martin Lee
Personnel
- Martin LeeMartin Lee (singer)Martin Lee is a singer-songwriter, best known as a member of the British pop group Brotherhood of Man.- Early career :...
: Lead vocals on "People Over the World" - Lee SheridenLee SheridenLee Sheriden is a British singer/songwriter and musical director, best known as a member of pop group Brotherhood of Man.-Early career:...
: Lead vocals on "Broken Hearted Avenue" - Nicky StevensNicky StevensNicky Stevens is a singer, famous as a member of pop group Brotherhood of Man.- Early career :Nicky Stevens began singing at an early age was classically trained. At 15 she toured the Continent as a singer performing in night clubs. Following this she went on to tour South Africa as well as clubs...
and Sandra StevensSandra StevensSandra Stevens is a British singer and member of pop group Brotherhood of Man.- Early career :Sandra Stevens first entered into a singing career at the age of sixteen when she joined the club band, The Track...
: Joint lead vocals on "Figaro", "Cinderella", "When Summer's Gone", "I'll Never Let You Down", "Beautiful Lover", "I'm In a Dancing Mood", "Much Better than You", "Roulette" - Tony HillerTony HillerTony Hiller is a British songwriter. He began his musical career as a member of the song and dance duo The Hiller Brothers, sharing the stage with his brother Irving...
: Producer - Lee Sheriden: Musical Director on tracks 1,3,5,6,7,11
- Colin FrechterColin FrechterColin Frechter has a long tenure in the music business primarily as a musical director, arranger, keyboard player, and vocalist.Colin has worked with The Four Tops, The Bay City Rollers Colin Frechter has a long tenure in the music business primarily as a musical director, arranger, keyboard...
: Musical Director on tracks 2,4,8,9,10,12 - Terry Evennett: Engineer
- Simeon Skolfield: Engineer
- Simon Fowler and Paul Canty / LFI: Photography
- Angela Joyner: Sleeve design
Chart performance
| Release date | Single title | UK Chart position |
|---|---|---|
| January 1978 | "Figaro" | 1 |
| May 1978 | "Beautiful Lover" | 15 |
| Release date | Album title | UK Chart position |
| June 1978 | B for Brotherhood | 18 |