Working Week
OriginLondon, England
GenresSmooth jazz
Years active1983–1991
LabelsPaladin, Virgin, 10 Records
Past members

Working Week were a British jazz-dance band active in the 1980s and 1990s.[1]

Working Week was formed in 1983 by guitarist Simon Booth and saxophonist Larry Stabbins from the band Weekend,[2] which ended when singer Alison Statton left to become a schoolteacher. The duo released their debut single "Venceremos (We Will Win)" during the following year.[2] The song was a tribute to Chilean protest singer Víctor Jara, with vocals by Robert Wyatt and Tracey Thorn (the latter from the band Everything but the Girl).[2] It became the band's highest placing in the UK Singles Chart, where it peaked at No. 64.[3] The single included founding members of the London School of Samba, notably Bosco de Oliveira and Dawson Miller. Other early members of the group also performed with the band.

The debut album Working Nights was released in April 1985, with vocalist Juliet Roberts added as a member of the band.[2] Initial copies of the LP had a bonus 12" disc with (Jalaluddin) Jalal Mansur Nuriddin (also known as Lightnin' Rod, birth name Alafia Pudin) of The Last Poets. Roberts continued as singer on the 1986 album Compañeros and Surrender, released in 1987, but left the band after that year's single, "Knocking on Your Door".[2] Julie Tippetts returned as vocalist for the 1989 album Fire in the Mountain, and Eyvon Waite was solo vocalist for Black and Gold (1991), the band's final studio album.[4]

Working Week appeared on 9 February 1986 at the Royal Albert Hall in a benefit concert for victims of the 1985 Armero tragedy in Colombia.[5]

Discography

Albums

  • Working Nights (Virgin Records V2343) – 1985 UK No. 23
  • Compañeros (Virgin Records V2397) – 1986 UK No. 72
  • Surrender (Virgin Records V2468) – 1987
  • Payday (Best of Working Week) (compilation), (Virgin Records Ltd./Venture VEGD19) – 1988, also in 1999
  • Pay Check (compilation, US version of 'Payday') (Venture 2–90997) – 1988
  • Fire in the Mountain (10 Records DIX86) – 1989
  • Black and Gold (10 Records DIX95) – 1991[6]

Singles

  • "Venceremos (We Will Win)" – 1984 UK No. 64
  • "Storm of Light" – 1984 UK No. 88
  • "Inner City Blues" – 1985 UK No. 93
  • "Sweet Nothing" – 1985 UK No. 83
  • "Stella Marina" – 1985
  • "I Thought I'd Never See You Again" – 1985 UK No. 80
  • "Too Much Time" – 1986 UK No. 94
  • "South Africa" – 1986
  • "Rodrigo Bay" – 1986
  • "Don't Touch My Friend" – 1986
  • "Surrender" – 1987
  • "Largo" – 1987
  • "Knocking On Your Door" – 1988
  • "Eldorado" – 1989
  • "Blade" – 1989
  • "Testify" – 1990
  • "Positive" – 1991 UK No. 96
  • "Holding On" – 1991[6]

References

  1. ↑ Ankeny, Jason. "Working Week". AllMusic. Retrieved 28 April 2016.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 Colin Larkin, ed. (1992). The Guinness Who's Who of Jazz (First ed.). Guinness Publishing. p. 439. ISBN 0-85112-580-8.
  3. ↑ Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 610. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
  4. ↑ "Working Week – Black & Gold (1991, Vinyl)". Discogs.com. Retrieved 3 August 2021.
  5. ↑ Tobler, John (1992). NME Rock 'N' Roll Years (1st ed.). London: Reed International Books. p. 415. CN 5585.
  6. 1 2 "WORKING WEEK | full Official Chart History | Official Charts Company". Officialcharts.com. Retrieved 3 August 2021.
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