Circle of One
Encyclopedia
Circle of One is the third album by the American vocalist, pianist and songwriter Oleta Adams
and was released in 1990. Circle of One is often considered as Adams' first album, since her two earlier albums (an untitled album in 1982 and Going on Record in 1983) were self-financed and only received local distribution.
on their 1989 album The Seeds of Love
, Adams was offered a record deal of her own with Tears For Fears' then-label Fontana Records
. Produced by Tears For Fears' Roland Orzabal
with Dave Bascombe
, the album was initially unsuccessful as were the first two singles "Rhythm of Life" and "Circle of One". However, Adams had a hit in early 1991 with the third single from the album, her cover of Brenda Russell
's "Get Here", which peaked at #4 in the UK
and #5 in the US
. The album, which had received considerable critical acclaim , was rereleased with two additional tracks and peaked at #1 in the UK and made the US Top 20. It was certified Gold in both the UK and the US and received two Grammy nominations.
Oleta Adams
Oleta Adams is an American soul, jazz, and gospel singer and pianist.-Biography:Adams was born the daughter of a preacher and was raised with gospel music. In her youth her family moved to Yakima, Washington, which is sometimes shown as her place of birth.Before gaining her opportunity to perform,...
and was released in 1990. Circle of One is often considered as Adams' first album, since her two earlier albums (an untitled album in 1982 and Going on Record in 1983) were self-financed and only received local distribution.
History
After a successful collaboration with Tears for FearsTears for Fears
Tears for Fears are an English new wave band formed in the early 1980s by Roland Orzabal and Curt Smith.Founded after the dissolution of their first band, the mod-influenced Graduate, they were initially associated with the New Wave synthesiser bands of the early 1980s but later branched out into...
on their 1989 album The Seeds of Love
The Seeds of Love
-Bonus tracks:Note: A remix of "Johnny Panic and the Bible of Dreams" was also released as a separate single in the UK and reached #70 on the charts.-Personnel:* Drums - Manu Katché, Chris Hughes, Phil Collins, Simon Phillips* Bass - Pino Palladino, Curt Smith...
, Adams was offered a record deal of her own with Tears For Fears' then-label Fontana Records
Fontana Records
Fontana Records is a record label which was started in the 1950s as a subsidiary of the Dutch Philips Records; when Philips restructured its music operations it dropped Fontana in favor of Vertigo Records. In the seventies PolyGram acquired the dormant label....
. Produced by Tears For Fears' Roland Orzabal
Roland Orzabal
Roland Jaime Orzabal de la Quintana is an English musician, songwriter and record producer. He is known mainly as a co-founding member of Tears for Fears, of which he is the main songwriter and joint vocalist, but he has also achieved success as a producer of other artists.- Early career :Orzabal...
with Dave Bascombe
David Bascombe
David Bascombe is an English music producer and mix engineer. He has worked with many bands and musicians, such as Tears for Fears, Depeche Mode and Suede.-Selected engineering, production, mixing and remixing:*Tears for Fears - Songs From the Big Chair...
, the album was initially unsuccessful as were the first two singles "Rhythm of Life" and "Circle of One". However, Adams had a hit in early 1991 with the third single from the album, her cover of Brenda Russell
Brenda Russell
Brenda Russell is an American-Canadian singer-songwriter and keyboardist. Known for her eclectic musical style, her recordings have encompassed several different genres, including pop, soul, dance, jazz and adult contemporary...
's "Get Here", which peaked at #4 in the UK
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
and #5 in the US
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The album, which had received considerable critical acclaim , was rereleased with two additional tracks and peaked at #1 in the UK and made the US Top 20. It was certified Gold in both the UK and the US and received two Grammy nominations.
Track listing
- "Rhythm of Life" (Nicky Holland, Roland Orzabal) – 4:23
- "Get HereGet Here"Get Here" is a pop ballad written by American singer/songwriter Brenda Russell which became an international hit via a 1990 recording by Oleta Adams, reaching #4 in the UK and #5 in the US....
" (Brenda Russell) – 4:36 - "Circle of One" (Oleta Adams) – 3:54
- "You've Got to Give Me Room" (Adams) – 5:17
- "I've Got to Sing My Song" (Adams) – 4:01
- "I've Got a Right" (Adams) – 4:00
- "Will We Ever Learn" (Holland, Ellen Shipley) – 5:14
- "Everything Must Change" (Benard Ighner) – 6:53
- "Don't Look Too Closely" (Adams) – 4:27 (not on original 1990 release)
- "Circle of One (remix)" – 4:16 (not on original 1990 release)
Personnel
- Drums, percussion – John Cushon, Luis JardimLuís JardimLuís Alberto Figueira Gonçalves Jardim is a Portuguese percussionist, born in the Madeira Island, best known for his work with producer Trevor Horn.-Family:Jardim is a cousin of Alberto João Jardim...
, Carol Steele - Bass guitar – Pino PalladinoPino PalladinoPino Palladino is a Welsh bass guitarist who gained fame playing primarily rock and roll, blues rock, and rhythm and blues music, although he has been lauded for his ability to play most genres of popular music, including jazz, neo soul, and funk...
- Guitars – Roland OrzabalRoland OrzabalRoland Jaime Orzabal de la Quintana is an English musician, songwriter and record producer. He is known mainly as a co-founding member of Tears for Fears, of which he is the main songwriter and joint vocalist, but he has also achieved success as a producer of other artists.- Early career :Orzabal...
, Neil Taylor - Keyboards – Oleta Adams, Dave Bascombe, Simon Clark, Roland Orzabal
- Programming – Matthew Vaughan
- Backing vocals – Adele Bertel, Andy Caine, Carol KenyonCarol KenyonCarol Kenyon , is a British singer. She was born c. 1959.Although primarily known as a session vocalist on many albums and singles by a variety of prominent artists, as well as in many concerts, Kenyon has also released several singles as a solo artist...
, Tessa NilesTessa NilesTessa Niles is an English singer, best known as a backing singer for a wide variety of artists.-Early life and career:Born in Kent, Niles began her professional singing career, as both a lead and a backing vocalist, in 1979...
, Biti Strauchn, Ian Wilson - Saxophone – William Gregory, Phillip Todd
- Brass – Guy BarkerGuy BarkerGuy Barker is an English jazz trumpeter and composer. Barker was born in Chiswick, London, the son of an actress and a stuntman. He started playing the trumpet at the age of twelve, and within a year had joined the National Youth Jazz Orchestra...
, Phillip Todd, Chris White - String and brass arrangements - Anne DudleyAnne DudleyAnne Dudley is an English composer and pop musician, and was the first BBC Concert Orchestra's Composer in Association in 2001. She has worked in both the classical and pop genres. She is perhaps best known, however, as one of the core members of the synthpop band Art of Noise and also as a film...
Charts
| Chart | Date | Position |
|---|---|---|
| Billboard album 200 | 1991 | #20 |
| Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Albums | 1991 | #11 |
| Dutch album chart | September 6, 1990 | #28 |
| UK album chart | March 2, 1991 | #1 |