Drivin' Hard, released in May 1981 on the Polydor label, is the first album by English jazz-funk band Shakatak.
Track listing All tracks written by William "Bill" Sharpe except where indicated.
"Livin in the U.K." (Stayton Heyward; Neil Heyward; Bill Sharpe; Wally Badarou) – 5:54 "Into the Night" – 4:36 "Toot the Shoot" (Roger Odell) – 4:00 "Lumiere" 4:14 "Late Night Flight" – 3:58 "Waves" – 1:38 "Steppin' (Live)" – 6:27 * "Covina" – 4:46 "You Never Know" – 5:10 "Brazilian Dawn" – 6:33
As of June 2025, the version of Steppin’ used by streaming services is the incorrect, shorter, studio version instead of the Live version.
Personnel Bill Sharpe – Bösendorfer grand piano, keyboards Shakatak - Drivin' Hard (1981) album releases & credits at Discogs Nigel Wright – Fender Rhodes electric piano, Sennheiser Vocoder, Oberheim OB-X synthesizer, keyboards and synthesizers Wally Badarou – Prophet 5 and inspiration Keith Winter – Yamaha & Fender guitars with Fender amplification, Ovation acoustic guitars Steve Underwood – Fender bass with Fender amplification Roger Odell – Sonor drums, Rototoms, synth drums, Zildjian cymbals Jill Saward – vocals Jackie Rawe – vocals
Formats LP: Polydor POLS 1030 [47'08] (May 1981, red label) LP: Polydor 2383 635 (1981, Netherlands), extra track A1 "Easier Said Than Done" MC: Polydor POLSC 1030 [47'08] (May 1981) CD: Polydor 823 017-2 [47'11] (1984, track 7 is in fact the studio version of "Steppin'" [5'50]) CD: Victor VICP 64131 (2008, Japan), bonus tracks "Feels Like the Right Time" and "Killing Time"
References
External links Shakatak - Drivin' Hard (1981) album credits & releases at AllMusic Shakatak - Drivin' Hard (1981) album releases & credits at Discogs Shakatak - Drivin' Hard (1981) album to be listened as stream on Spotify