Lightning Flash
Encyclopedia
Lightning Flash is the twelfth album by British pop group Brotherhood of Man
. Released on EMI Records
in 1983, it remains their final commercially-released studio album.
Records in June 1983 and was their only album with the label.
This album was the first (and only) to feature new member Barry Upton
who had replaced Lee Sheriden
a year earlier and was their last work with long-time manager/producer and co-writer Tony Hiller
. Upton took on the musical arrangement duties on ten of the twelve tracks, a role previously filled by Sheriden. Upton worked tirelessly with studio session drummer supremo Peter Boita at Peter's house in Upper Norwood London programming all the drum tracks to the album. On going into Odyssey Studios
all the drum tracks for the album were laid in one day with perfect sounds coming from Peter Boita's Linn Drum computer which was also hooked up to his Simmons SDS7 Electronic drum head unit via a custom interface unit that Peter himself had developed. This method of working was revolutionary for its time. Before then it was not uncommon for artistes to spend a whole day in a recording studio just to perfect the drum sound that would then be used to underpin the album when all the other musicians were brought in to start work. Peter Boita had briefly worked with Martin Lee when Martin was the lead singer in the Johnny Howard Band in 1973 and Peter was the drummer. The song "I Love Everybody" was arranged by Ivor Raymonde
, a long-time hit producer, who used a string quartet
heavily in the verses. Another song "Heartbreaker" was taken from their unreleased 1980 album Good Fortune
and included here in its original recording, featuring Sheriden on vocals and as arranger.
The album contained the singles "Lightning Flash", "Cry Baby Cry" and "When the Kissing Stops". Of these, only the first managed to chart, their first UK singles chart placing for nearly four years. The front cover of the album only has the lettering B H o M as an indication of a title or artist, the back cover states the group's name, while only the record itself gives the title as Lightning Flash on the label. This is the official title given to the album according to release information. Track "Is it Love" is erroneously titled "It is Love" on the back sleeve, but correct title is given on the record's label. The song "When the Kissing Stops" had been entered into A Song for Europe
earlier in 1983, and although the group briefly considered performing it themselves, ultimately a three-piece group, Rubic was chosen to sing it. The song made it to the finals, but stalled at 5th place (out of eight entries). Brotherhood of Man themselves released the song in June 1983 as their final ever single.
Despite being highly regarded by fans, the album failed to chart and met with critical response from the music press. Writing for Smash Hits
, Neil Tennant
said of the "Lightning Flash" song that despite its synthesized sound, "the group have failed to capture the freshness that new pop demands". In reviewing the album, Record Mirror
commented on the low budget sound of the music claiming that it was "mortgaged to the hilt". Lightning Flash was to be Brotherhood of Man's final release for a record company as they parted with EMI soon after its release. The group did go on to produce three more albums which were released independently by themselves (The Butterfly Children
in 1992, Greenhouse
in 1997 and The Seventies Story in 2002).
Side Two
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"....
. Released on EMI Records
EMI Records
EMI Records is the flagship record label founded by the EMI company in 1972 and launched in January 1973 as the successor to its Columbia label. The EMI label was launched worldwide...
in 1983, it remains their final commercially-released studio album.
Background
The album was released on EMIEMI
The EMI Group, also known as EMI Music or simply EMI, is a multinational music company headquartered in London, United Kingdom. It is the fourth-largest business group and family of record labels in the recording industry and one of the "big four" record companies. EMI Group also has a major...
Records in June 1983 and was their only album with the label.
This album was the first (and only) to feature new member Barry Upton
Barry Upton
Barry Upton is an English songwriter, arranger, musician and producer of various forms of pop music. He is also a audio engineer and stage performer having appeared around the world in various capacities.-Career:...
who had replaced 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:...
a year earlier and was their last work with long-time manager/producer and co-writer 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...
. Upton took on the musical arrangement duties on ten of the twelve tracks, a role previously filled by Sheriden. Upton worked tirelessly with studio session drummer supremo Peter Boita at Peter's house in Upper Norwood London programming all the drum tracks to the album. On going into Odyssey Studios
Odyssey Studios
Odyssey Studios was a recording studio based near Marble Arch in London and opened in 1979. It was set up by Wayne Bickerton as an extension from State Records, the label he had set up with Tony Waddington and John Fruin in 1975...
all the drum tracks for the album were laid in one day with perfect sounds coming from Peter Boita's Linn Drum computer which was also hooked up to his Simmons SDS7 Electronic drum head unit via a custom interface unit that Peter himself had developed. This method of working was revolutionary for its time. Before then it was not uncommon for artistes to spend a whole day in a recording studio just to perfect the drum sound that would then be used to underpin the album when all the other musicians were brought in to start work. Peter Boita had briefly worked with Martin Lee when Martin was the lead singer in the Johnny Howard Band in 1973 and Peter was the drummer. The song "I Love Everybody" was arranged by Ivor Raymonde
Ivor Raymonde
Ivor Raymonde was a British musician, songwriter, arranger and actor, best known for his distinctive rock-orchestral arrangements for Dusty Springfield and others in the 1960s.-Life and career:...
, a long-time hit producer, who used a string quartet
String quartet
A string quartet is a musical ensemble of four string players – usually two violin players, a violist and a cellist – or a piece written to be performed by such a group...
heavily in the verses. Another song "Heartbreaker" was taken from their unreleased 1980 album Good Fortune
Good Fortune (album)
Good Fortune is the ninth album by British pop group Brotherhood of Man. The album was recorded on manager Tony Hiller's label, Dazzle Records in 1980, but went unreleased in the UK. The album did get a release however in Australia on RCA Records...
and included here in its original recording, featuring Sheriden on vocals and as arranger.
The album contained the singles "Lightning Flash", "Cry Baby Cry" and "When the Kissing Stops". Of these, only the first managed to chart, their first UK singles chart placing for nearly four years. The front cover of the album only has the lettering B H o M as an indication of a title or artist, the back cover states the group's name, while only the record itself gives the title as Lightning Flash on the label. This is the official title given to the album according to release information. Track "Is it Love" is erroneously titled "It is Love" on the back sleeve, but correct title is given on the record's label. The song "When the Kissing Stops" had been entered into A Song for Europe
A Song for Europe
A Song for Europe may refer to:*A Song for Europe, former name of British pre-selection competition for the Eurovision Song Contest, now known as Eurovision: Your Country Needs You...
earlier in 1983, and although the group briefly considered performing it themselves, ultimately a three-piece group, Rubic was chosen to sing it. The song made it to the finals, but stalled at 5th place (out of eight entries). Brotherhood of Man themselves released the song in June 1983 as their final ever single.
Despite being highly regarded by fans, the album failed to chart and met with critical response from the music press. Writing for Smash Hits
Smash Hits
Smash Hits was a pop music based magazine, aimed at teenagers and young adults and originally published in the United Kingdom by EMAP. It ran from 1978 to 2006 and was issued fortnightly for most of that time...
, Neil Tennant
Neil Tennant
Neil Francis Tennant is an English musician, singer and songwriter, who, with bandmate Chris Lowe, makes up the successful electronic dance music duo Pet Shop Boys.-Childhood:...
said of the "Lightning Flash" song that despite its synthesized sound, "the group have failed to capture the freshness that new pop demands". In reviewing the album, Record Mirror
Record Mirror
Record Mirror was a British weekly pop music newspaper, founded by Isadore Green and featured, news articles, interviews, record charts, record reviews, concert reviews, letters from readers and photographs. The paper became respected by both mainstream pop music fans and serious record collectors...
commented on the low budget sound of the music claiming that it was "mortgaged to the hilt". Lightning Flash was to be Brotherhood of Man's final release for a record company as they parted with EMI soon after its release. The group did go on to produce three more albums which were released independently by themselves (The Butterfly Children
The Butterfly Children
The Butterfly Children is the title of a series of children's books created by husband and wife team, Pat and Angela Mills. The books were published during the 1990s by Peter Haddock Ltd. In 1990, a musical based on the characters was staged featuring songs written by Martin Lee, Paul Curtis and...
in 1992, Greenhouse
Greenhouse (Brotherhood of Man album)
Greenhouse is a 1997 album by British pop group Brotherhood of Man.The album was released independently by the group themselves on cassette only and was available to buy at their shows. The songs contained included a mix of re-recordings of their own hit singles and cover versions...
in 1997 and The Seventies Story in 2002).
Track listing
Side One- "Lightning Flash" (3.19)
- "Cry Baby Cry" (3.52)
- "I Don't Need It" (3.32)
- "I Love Everybody" (3.08)
- "Run Like Hell" (3.23)
- "Too Late the Hero" (4.39)
Side Two
- "When the Kissing Stops" (3.30)
- "Is it Love" (3.02)
- "What More Can I Say" (3.35)
- "Heartbreaker" (3.09)
- "Jukebox Serenade" (3.11)
- "Hanging On" (3.01)
- All tracks written by Hiller / Lee / Upton, except "Heartbreaker" by Hiller / Sheriden / 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 "I Don't Need it", "Hanging on" - 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...
: Lead vocals on "Lightning Flash", "Run Like Hell", "What More Can I Say", Joint lead vocals on "Cry Baby Cry", "When the Kissing Stops", "Heartbreaker", "Jukebox Serenade" - 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...
: Lead vocals on "I Love Everybody", "Too Late the Hero", Joint lead vocals on "Cry Baby Cry", "When the Kissing Stops", "Heartbreaker", "Jukebox Serenade" - Barry UptonBarry UptonBarry Upton is an English songwriter, arranger, musician and producer of various forms of pop music. He is also a audio engineer and stage performer having appeared around the world in various capacities.-Career:...
: Lead vocals on "Is it Love" - 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 - Barry Upton - Arranger
- Ivor RaymondeIvor RaymondeIvor Raymonde was a British musician, songwriter, arranger and actor, best known for his distinctive rock-orchestral arrangements for Dusty Springfield and others in the 1960s.-Life and career:...
- Arranger on track 4 - 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:...
- Arranger on track 10 - Credited Musicians: Richard Cottle, Martin Eliott, Roger Odell, Paul Keogh, Peter Boita, Sean McBride, Mike Hornett, Tony Fisher, the Gavin Wright Quartet with Ivor Raymonde
- Cover design and artwork: Cream