1976 Martyn Ford Orchestra – Smoovin’

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Smoovin is the only album released by the Martyn Ford Orchestra. It features Mike Moran, Ann Odell, Simon Phillips, Morris Pert, John Gustafson, and Mel Collins and also spawned a hit single in the UK, “Let Your Body Go Downtown”, which peaked at #38 on the UK Singles Chart in 1977. The song was written by Lynsey de Paul and Moran, who also wrote the follow-up single “Going to a Disco” which failed to reach the UK chart in the summer of 1977.

Tracks

1  I’m A Man (Jimmy Miller; Steve Winwood) 04:54
2  Theme From Gone With The Wind (Max Steiner) 04:00
3  Sneakin’ Up Behind You (David Sanborn; Don Grolnick; Michael Brecker; Randy Brecker; Will Lee) 04:27
4  Icarus (Ralph Towner) 04:54
5  Flight (Arthur Augustin Wood; Colin Cooper; Derek Holt; George Ewart Newsome; Pete Haycock) 04:42
6  Stranger On The Shore (Acker Bilk) 05:02
7  Life Is A Carnival (Levon Helm; Rick Danko; Robbie Robertson) 03:44
8  Hustle With Every Muscle (Ronald Bell; The Kay-Gees) 04:05
9  Theme From A Summer Place (Max Steiner) 03:29
10  Horny (Martyn Ford) 05:23

Musicians

1 I’m A Man

Bass Steve Field
Drums Simon Phillips
Guitar (solo) Hugh Burns
Guitar Robert Ahwai
Clavinet Mike Moran
Moog Ann Odell
Percussion Morris Pert


2 Theme From Gone With The Wind

Bass John Gustafson
Drums Simon Phillips
Guitar (solo) Hugh Burns
Guitar Mark Warner
Clavinet Mike Moran
Percussion Alan Sharp


3 Sneakin’ Up Behind You

Bass Steve Field
Drums Simon Phillips
Guitar (solo) Hugh Burns
Guitar Robert Ahwai
Fender Rhodes Tony Hymas
Moog Ann Odell
Sax Chris Mercer
Percussion Alan Sharp
Percussion Morris Pert


4 Icarus

Bass John Gustafson
Drums Simon Phillips
Guitar Mark Warner
Fender Rhodes Mike Moran
Cello Jane Robertson
Cello Colin Walker
Oboe Roy Carter
Sax Stan Saltzmann
Percussion Morris Pert
Percussion Alan Sharp


5 Flight

Bass John Gustafson
Drums Simon Phillips
Guitar (solo) Mark Warner
Clavinet Mike Moran
Sax Stan Saltzmann
Percussion Alan Sharp
Percussion Morris Pert


6 Stranger On The Shore

Bass Steve Field
Drums Simon Phillips
Guitar (solo) Hugh Burns
Guitar Robert Ahwai
Clavinet Mike Moran
Sax Stan Saltzmann


7 Life Is A Carnival

Bass John Gustafson
Drums Simon Phillips
Guitar (solo) Mark Warner
Clavinet Tony Hymas
Percussion John Punter

 

8 Hustle With Every Muscle

Bass John Gustafson
Drums Simon Phillips
Guitar (solo) Ray Russell
Guitar Robert Ahwai
Clavinet Tony Hymas
Percussion Alan Sharp
Vocals Gus Yeadon


9 Theme From A Summer Place

Bass John Gustafson
Drums Simon Phillips
Guitar (solo) Ray Russell
Guitar Mark Warner
Clavinet Tony Hymas
Oboe Andrew Cauthery
Percussion Morris Pert


10 Horny

Bass John Gustafson
Drums Simon Phillips
Guitar Mark Warner
Clavinet Tony Hymas
Synthesizer Peter Robinson
Sax Mel Collins
Percussion Morris Per

Strings


Cello – Clive Anstee, Colin Walker), Helen Liebmann, Jane Robertson, Kathy Thulborn*, Lynden Cranham, Martin Robinson, Michael Hurwitz, Roger Smith, Susan Shephard
Cello (Electric) – Colin Walker, Jane Robertson (Track 4)
Double Bass – Chris Laurence, Ian Anderson, Nick Worters
Viola – Brian Hawkins, Brian Mack, Donald McVay, Jan Schlapp, Levine Andrade, Pauline Mack, Roger Best, Stephen Tees
Violin – Cathy Weiss, David Woodcock, Dee Partridge, Eddie Roberts, Elisabeht Edward*, Erica Cottrell, Gavyn Wright, Godfrey Salmon, Ian Mackinnon, Irvine Arditti, Josef Frolich, Lennox McKenzie, Marcia Crayford, Monica Huggett, Peter Oxer, Robert Clark, Robin Williams, Rolf Wilson, Wilf Gibson

Liner Notes

Producer – Martyn Ford, John Punter
Arranged By – Martyn Ford
Conductor – Martyn Ford
Engineer – John Punter
Engineer (Assistant) – Dave Hutchins, Steve Prestige

Art Direction, Design – ROC Advertising

Phonographic Copyright Mountain Records (U.K.) Ltd
Copyright Mountain Records (U.K.) Ltd