One World is one of Martyn's more experimental works and features reggae influenced rhythms and free-flowing jazzy arrangements. The album is notable for parts of it having been recorded outdoors, in particular 'Small Hours' and includes contributions from Lee Perry on 'Big Muff' with Steve Winwood adding keyboard.

• 180 Gram Vinyl
• Pressed at MPO, France

A truly progressive artist John Martyn never stayed with a tried and trusted sound, preferring to explore, experiment and break new ground. His trademark melodies and lyrics are in a class of their own and his voice which is steeped in pleasure and pain, joy and fear and love and hate, expresses emotion like no other.

Martyn's time spent in Jamaica in 75-76 clearly influenced One World which charted at No. 54 and became a true favorite with critics and fans alike. In the summer of 1977, Island's Chris Blackwell asked producer Phil Brown to work with John and the album was recorded in three weeks in the courtyard of a house in Theale, Berkshire. The house was in the middle of a lake and equipment was set up on each side of the lake so that it picked up the sound of water lapping, and a distant ‘strangled' sound on the guitar which was perfect for lead solos.

Most of the recording was carried out between 3 a.m. and 6 a.m. and these quiet hours before dawn created the most magical atmosphere for recording. It's an album of contrasting music from "Big Muff," which was co-written by dub master Lee ‘Scratch' Perry, to the enchanting "Couldn't Love You More" and the echoplex extravaganza "Small Hours."

Musicians:

John Martyn, guitars and vocals
Jon Field, Tristran Fry, George Lee, Neil Murray, Andy Newmark, Dave Pegg, Morris Pert, Rico, Hansford Rowe, Bruce Rowlands, Kesh Sathie, Jon Stevens, Danny Thompson, Steve Winwood

Track Listing:

1. Couldn't Love You More
2. Certain Surprise
3. Dancing
4. Small Hours
5. Dealer
6. One World
7. Smiling Stranger
8. Big Muff

Click here to listen to samples on YouTube.com ♫