One World

NO MORE BRITISH SHIT I HAVEN'T HEARD OF

a mix between garbage and porn soundtrack

Make. It. Stop. Other than some instrumental work on "Small Hours", I couldn't wait for this album to be over. Anti-groove jazz.

When his voice first came in, I hated it, and was preparing for an excruciating 40 minutes. But that was the only part where I noticed his voice stand out, and then in blended in to an ocean of excellence. This is the most surprising album I have had so far and is going on regular rotation.

This was an inspiration. There are problems with production that at points feels dated, but once I let this go and got past some of the more late 70s/ early 80s sounds, I felt uplifted and held by this album in a way I haven't by many albums. Small Hours blew me away, it's wonderful ambient guitar over a simple pulse beat, eventually leading up to a short song, before returning to guitar and sound was perfect. It's made me want to hear more.

This album was a 4 right up until "Small Hours." I've listened to it probably ten or more times in the last 24 hours. Easily becoming one of my favorite songs of all time. One of the most soothing, cleanest albums I've heard in a long time. Highlights: 1, 2, 5, 6, and 8.

I reviewed John Martyn's Solid Air earlier in this project, and enjoyed it more than I was expecting. Based on that, I thought I knew what to expect with this record. And was pleasantly surprised again. Much of side 2 seems like a fairly natural progression from Solid Air. Similar smooth jazz/soul/funk/folk blend, now with a touch of latin rhythms on Certain Surprise, with Martyn's foggy voice woven beautifully through the arrangements. I love his voice, which he uses like an instrument, although sometimes his slurred diction slides almost into self-parody.Take it easy, John. But side 1 is a revelation. The heavy use of effects, especially delay, and dub production techniques (without being pastiche - this is definitely not reggae) is something quite fresh. Big Muff is co-written by Lee Scratch Perry! I can see the influence, without it sounding like a Lee Scratch Perry record per se. I really loved the songs on side 1. Discretely funky, weird sounding without being abrasive, without any histrionics. I can see how these tracks (especially Big Muff and Small Hours) are cited as influences on trip hop, especially Massive Attack. This album caught me by surprise, and I really enjoyed it. Haven't heard much quite like it, and it really grabbed me (especially side 1)

Forgettable. One World vocals sounded like an old man on quaaluds trying to sing with apple sauce stuffed in his mouth.

An adorable dreamy piece of work. This was my 110th on this, and I loved every moment of it. 5 stars because there aren’t 6.

yacht prog and i’m 1000% here for it.

There are some good sounds on this album, but it feels kinda sleepy to me... I also don’t dig his voice, but there are a couple good songs on this. Favorite Track(s): “Dealer” and “Couldn’t Love You More”

This didn’t feel like a mediocre album of its era chasing the Beatles hype. No, it felt like a mediocre album from the 80s instead, when everyone was fascinated by bad “world music”. But hey, at least it’s ahead of its time I guess?

This album is really not my thing. Small Hours and Couldn't Love You More are pretty good, but I think my appreciation for the most divergent tracks is telling. The production is well-crafted in the sense that it's interesting, but I'm having a hard time figuring out what it adds up to. I feel like there's more artistic merit than the Supertramp record, but it's still a little indulgent and navel gaze-y. 1.5/5

This fucker wrote a song called Big Muff.

No lo vi venir. Parece Nick Drake. Volverlo a escuchar para darle un rating más justo.

Soft and dreamy. Talkative and calm

Sonido por completo etereo, suena como pop experimental. Tiene un problema en un bache a la mitad con dos canciones romanticas muy sosas que hacen que pierda un poco el concepto. Los sonidos de experimentación en guitarra y amplificadores no van a ser para todos pero a mi me encanto. La última canción fue lo mejor del disco. Impresionante pensar que es de 1977, casi se podría notar un atisbo de lo que va a llegar en unos años con new wave y sintetizadores.

not a fan of his voice. a little like brian wilson but not as good. the sounds on smiling stranger are good though

Meh.

In spots, One World hits a funky experimental stride that I’d liken to late 70’s Eno (think Before and after Science, though it does have its ambient moments) or maybe Soon Over Babaluma-era Can. In others, it kind of has a jazzy 70’s soft rock vibe, which is a little less interesting to me, but overall not bad (with the exception of some scatting, which I find to be unacceptable no matter the situation). The previous John Martyn record I was assigned, Solid Air, was more enjoyable as a whole, but One World is very good, even if has a distinct late 70’s island rock vibe. I wouldn’t call this yacht rock, though, it’s way too densely layered, interesting and lacking the superficiality, but it’s adjacent in some ways - like if yacht rock wasn’t the lamest thing on earth you could ever possibly be into.

Big Muff and Certain Surprise gave me the ick. Bad vibes from this album in general.

Album art is interesting. The production is pretty good. The instrumentals are a little manic but often work. Choices were made on the vocals that don't pay off. Small Hours get's an honorable mention for being a nice listen. This album is probably a grower that you would learn to get comfortable with it's imperfections. I don't have the time. 2.5

The description of this album vs how it sounds is a wild contrast. I expected this to be something sweeping and inspired but the vocals don't even give it a chance to go there. Not coming back to this one.

So I found “One World” by John Martyn to be a pretty pedestrian late 70’s R&B effort, that easily could have been the sleazy porn soundtrack to the old SNL skit featuring Tim Meadows called – “Velvet Jones – The Ladies Man”… Gee – I wonder what “Big Muff” could be about… Ugh… Anyways, I had pretty much written it off completely – and then the final song “Small Hours” came on… Primarily an instrumental for all intents-and-purposes, and I found it to be absolutely amazing… Reminded me of a less-raw, way-more melodic “Maggotbrain” by Funkadelic… “Small Hours” is probably a 5-stars out of 7-stars in my little rating system, as it’s that good – and it really came out of absolutely nowhere, as the rest of the album is pretty much shite, but based on that 1 fabulous song, I’ll give it a 2 – but you’ve been warned…

I ended up listening to the Spotify suggestions for a long time after this ended

Very good album, nice combination of rhythms.

Todavía no lo escucho pero con fe me gusta

Brilliant

I'm a big fan of John Martyn, particularly around this point in his career. Such a unique hybrid of influences that is miles ahead of its time. Martyn has such a natural, casual soulfulness to him that it makes his more experimental tendencies go down easy. Love that they recorded parts of the album from across a lake to capture the natural reverb/echo. Yet another example of artists creating their best work while in remote country locations.

In July 1978 I was working for the Migrant Services Section of the Social Security Department, in Clarence St Sydney. One morning I received a phone-call from a mate who was a student at Sydney University, telling me to get my arse up to the Union Theatre (now The Footbridge) on campus, because John Martyn was playing a free concert at 1.00pm. As it turns out, this was part of a world tour to promote the album One World. I got there in time. John Martyn was late, and extremely hung-over, carrying what appeared to be an acoustic guitar with a plethora of wires coming off it (and no doubt a bunch of effects pedals). It was one of the great concerts I’ve ever attended. At the time I was only familiar with the 1970 album Road To Ruin, which he recorded with his wife, Beverley, & which is an all-time favourite of mine, so most of what I saw him play that day was unfamiliar to me, but he was in blistering form. And I imagine a lot of what he played came from this album. How lucky I was, because this is a great record. I can’t think of anything else that sounds like it. About 30 years later, a different mate gave me a dvd titled The Transatlantic Sessions, which features many great artists & includes an enthralling version of Big Muff with Martyn on guitar & Danny Thompson on double bass. Do yourself a favour & google it. This is the song he co-wrote in Jamaica with Lee Scratch Perry the year before he made the album. You also hear the great reggae trombonist Rico Rodriguez on Certain Surprise. I love the fact that Chris Blackwell set up mikes in the middle of a lake on his property(where the lp was recorded) to catch whatever noises nature was providing at the time. This was way ahead of its time. Love it.

Genius. Small Hours is in my all time top ten tracks. The live version (I think I saw him perform it 6 times) of Big Muff was spellbinding, A very, very sad end to possibly the best British unsung hero of contemporary music (along with Roy Harper and Nick Drake).

looooov

Stick your head in the oven and crank it up to 300! We have finally hit the jackpot with this blockbuster of a record which makes me wetter than my auntie's honking, steaming pussy. The hills are alive with the sound of me wanking myself into an incestuous coma and you're all welcome to join me for the ride.

Another album of John Martyn in this list and I thought I knew what I was going to get based on the other one, but nothing could be further from the truth. With a lot more experiment, range, more funk and more introverted songs on just one album, this is an incredible range of songs. I enjoyed this from start to finish.

Surprising album, never heard of this. You can hear an influence on Nigel Godrich's production style, especially on Beck's "Sea Change"

loved it

Really funky Clapton sounds in the first song. Pink Floyd vibes in the second song This singer has a really nice raspy funky voice I like how you can have no idea what type of song is going to come next each song is so unique. Could be funk, rock, jazz, or trippy. They way that Small Hours is the ending just being super peaceful with some nice ambient wave music was the perfect way to cap off the album. This would an excellent drugs album This is exactly what I love about this album of the day thing. I had no idea who John Martyn was going into this but now I feel like I have to learn everything about him. Absolute 5/5

Super excellent background music. Voices worked well with lyrics and music

great deviation from late 1970s sound here.. Whats up with the hate.. Sounds like good music thats what t sounds like guys... not like.. no no no.. guys..

nice

John a surpris son monde en produisant de la très bonne musique avant l'an 2000, chose que seuls Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder et Cat Stevens ont réussi.

super

I thought this was an outstanding piece of work. Really reminiscent, or more correctly influential, on music I've enjoyed in my life but first time I've consciously heard him. I can see from the write up that this isn't necessarily representative of his earlier work, but it's a fine piece of music.

Wow. I had never heard of John Martyn before this. I absolutely loved listening to this, front to back. Can hear the Jamaican influence and feel Steve Winwood's influence here. I've not heard much else quite like this, and it is so, so good.

John Martyn I love when we get an album and artist I am totally unfamiliar with and really dig it. Super cool grooves and textures. I like his voice too even though I can’t make out any words. Cool fusion of styles (ambient pop/ blues). Good the whole way through. Great musicians on this record too - I love all Steve windwoods synth solos. Favorite songs are Dancing, small hours, big muff, dealer. “Couldn’t love you more”reminds me of a Dave Matthews song.

Easy 5 stars! I have a distinct memory of being in my 20’s and being tasked with entertaining a relative who was in his early teens. He was looking through my iPod and commented that I have terrible taste in music. First off… rude. Second… he pointed to the song title “Big Muff” as evidence of my bad taste. He didn’t know shit

Great calm album

Sounds like some kind of Clapton/Winwood hybrid and I’m absolutely here for it. Wow.

I saw John Martyn about the time this was released.

Great, soothing listen, especially the final track.

Ok, so, with John Martyn you've got to be able get over his voice - he has some pretty weird affectations and I guess I can see why some people can't get into it - works for me, though. I've had this album for ages but I've barely played it - I always make a bee line for "Solid Air" instead, which is much more upfront and simplistic with its charms. Re-listening to "One World" as part of this project has actually been a full-on magical experience - I am enchanted! 🧙‍♀️ First play through and it's overall tone is hitting the chill, mellow, occasionally funky vibe I expect from John Martyn, but it also seems kinda busy and I fall back on my '"Solid Air" is the superior album' preconceptions. My copy of this album has a bonus disc full of live versions, demos and outtakes, and listening to those, which often felt a bit more stripped down, I liked them more. Re-listening to the main album again, I tried to dial into that busyness I heard before, and particularly in the first half of the album, the closer you listen the more bonkers things get! There's a bunch of stuff going on that shouldn't work together by rights, but it still somehow adds up to the vibe he wants. I saw another review describe it as "prog yacht" and yeah, that nails it! 😆 Fave tracks - "Dealer", "One World" (feel like Phosphorescent cribbed from this one), "Big Muff" are all awesome. The top accolade, though, goes to "Small Hours" - good lord that is a serene slice of sublime beauty. Amazing stuff.

I like what's going on here. Favorite track: "Dealer."

This sounds like it was recorded in a cardboard box. The album is all the more better for this. Production values aren't at a premium; the songs are allowed to develop and steal the show. The message of the One World title track remains powerful. Couldn't Love You More always leads to a few tears. Big Muff makes me smile. Plus Rico!

Never heard of this chap before, but this album was an excellent surprise.

Carves out a place for itself in my brain. Gorgeous.

reverby!

Pleasant surprise!

Bra album kan tänka mig att lyssna igen.

A fun psychy funky album, need to give it a better listen.

Good album went a bit too 70s funk for my liking for this style. Some instrumentation felt a bit too forced especially earlier on in the album. Some great arrangements though.

Very chill, peaceful, and natural-sounding. Lovely background music.

Este es el tipo de Jazz que si me gusta, no tan experimental, nadie quiere sobresalir y a buen tempo. Solo conocía Dealer que no sabía que se llamaba así.

So good. Lovely to listen to

i really loved it, he has a great voice

false

Pretty good

Really interesting, as ever for John. Worth the price of admission for the final track "Small Hours" alone.

A chill, jazzy, moody album. I like the instrumentation more than the vocals, but the low growly vocals ain't bad either.

I wasn't sure I liked this album at first but it has some really delightful moments and I think that if I listened to it more I would get into it. I can see how this artist might have contributed to the musical styles of artists I listen to regularly today.

Distinctly generic until Small Hours, which hits different from the rest of the album and drags this sucker out of the muck.

I rly fuck w this, hes showed up in music recommendation sites when i enter music i like but ive never rly given him the time, but today i did (funnily enough i was looking at this album specifically before i checked here lmao) yeah pretty poggers pogchamp imo, listened to it twice today and plan to listen more

Love it. Completely new to me. Mixing blues, jazz, reggae, and world beat. And all the sweet guitar riffs and effects. My only criticism is I’m not in love with his voice. Maybe it would grow on me. 4.0

Funky Joe Cocker

Soulful, and funky. Great voice. Nice diversity of songs.

Unusual combo of funk, jazz, blues, and Dr. John. Dude can noodle, too. Dig it.

Funky Af. Small hours. Wow. Excellent.

Very interesting, like early Sade and precursor to elevator music but in a good way.

I hadn't listened to John Martyn before, a really great discovery. Textured sound, many layers and influences, takes you to unexpected places, ahead of his time. Will definitely explore more of his work

Dangerous, psychedelic yacht rock that morphs into early post-rock by the end? I'm a fan.

For the first time in this project, I was very positively surprised by an artist I had never heard of before. This is very intriguing to listen to, with its wild mix of different styles and his very unique voice.

This was really cool to find. I've never heard of this guy. Seems super ahead of its time and influential.

So breezy, smooth, and creative. Loved it!

I like everything going on except the vocals. They sound weak and winded. Like the guy just ran 6 flights of stairs to get to the studio. Big Muff is a good tune. I am really torn on this album, but I think there is enough here to merit me coming back to it.

good at work listen

Rock, pop. Extrañamente interesante.

Wild, interesting album from someone I knew nothing about.

áhugaverð plata

I liked this not as much as the other John Martyn though

good!

Ordagrant cheelin

folk hop, flute bop

Zzzzzzzzvvvvrrrrrr ZzzzzzzzGgggguuuuuuudddd ZZZZaaaallllbbbmmmmmzzzz

Kindoff unique slow rock

Man, I loved hearing this album. I knew and loved the tracks Couldn't Love You More, and Small Hours already, but it was excellent to hear all the album cuts. Dude's voice was a jazz instrument, and his playing acoustic-like-it's-an-electric guitar playing is pioneering and totally cool too. Gonna deep dive his catalogue now. THIS is the reason I'm on this listening journey!

Such a unique album, nothing immediately stood out but I didn't feel the need to skip a single song. I should definitely give it some more listens in the future.

I had never heard of John and didn’t know what to expect. Clearly dated but a cool mix of guitar, funk, psychedelic. Enjoyed it.

Percussion!

Very interesting work. Rare to see someone’s 7th record on here. Also had heard of the song recorded across a lake before but hadn’t heard it

Chill

Some really lovely stuff on here, from early on in his time, an album I definitely wouldn't have heard if it wasn't for this.