The charity International Hostage Release had a worthy goal, to do what (little) they could for the three Brits kidnapped by Lebanese militants. A benefit album was the obvious attention getter, with
the Korgis' hit "Everybody's Got to Learn Sometime" hopefully slated for 45. There were just two problems -- the band was no more, and regardless, the group no longer owned the rights to the song. So in 1989 the chain of events that led to the re-forming of
the Korgis began, followed by their recording a new album,
This World's for Everyone. Reunited, the group recut "Learn" for IHR; the following year they went into the studio and recorded another three songs. Happy with the results, work continued apace as the group collaborated on new songs and revived a couple of old ones -- "All the Love in the World" and
Andy Davis' solo "Hunger." The Korgis had always been a sophisticated pop group, but with this set they reached new aural heights of lushness. "Hunger" is positively cinematic as
Andy Davis and John Baker play off concert jazz-styled keyboards against swirling New Romantic organ. At one point on the downbeat "No Love in the World," the pair juxtapose jazzy keys against psychedelic organ, while a blizzard of synths, keyboards, samples, and electric guitar licks rain down on "Wreckage of a Broken Heart." Their sumptuous take on "Learn," the perfect vocal showcase, closes the set, the grandiloquent pop of "This World" opens it; spun off on 45, the latter took its unity message straight into the Japanese Top 20. In contrast, the upbeat "Who Are These Tears for Anyway" and the bouncy world rhythms of "One Life" whirled across the dancefloor, while the uplifting "Hold On" had all the makings of a British Christmas hit, if only
the Korgis had been able to clinch a U.K. deal. Sporting something suitable for every mood, the songs swing from the delicate "All the Love in the World" to the soulful Motown inspired R&B of "Show Me." The production throughout is phenomenal, the sound magnificent, and the arrangements dense, but with close attention to musical details. As always with
the Korgis, the strong melodies and catchy choruses reign supreme, with every song emphasizing the band's exquisite vocals and ferocious musical talent. Fifteen years on, this superb set finally received a British release, an event celebrated by the inclusion of a previously unreleased bonus track, a pair of alternate recordings, "This World"'s original demo, and a rollicking rock & roller recorded live in 1993. A must have for every
Korgis' fan, an old album that in today's climes sounds surprisingly up to date. ~ Jo-Ann Greene