Small World (Huey Lewis and the News album)

Huey Lewis stated in a Behind the Music interview that the recording process for Small World had the most favorable working conditions compared to previous albums.^[4] For the album's sessions, the band intentionally branched out from their established pop-rock formula, weaving roots music, reggae, Latin American rhythms, and jazz elements into the tracks.^[5]

The album is notable for its high-profile guest musicians. Legendary jazz saxophonist Stan Getz contributed solos to "Small World (Part One)" and the instrumental track "Slammin'".^[6] Additionally, singer-songwriter Bruce Hornsby played accordion and provided backing vocals on the track "Old Antone's".^[6]

The instrumental track "Slammin'" was specifically written with the intention of being used during television highlight reels for the San Francisco 49ers NFL football team, of which Lewis and the band members were avid fans.^[7] Members of the 49ers roster at the time—including Hall of Famers Joe Montana and Ronnie Lott, alongside Dwight Clark and Riki Ellison—actually attended the studio sessions and are credited with providing backing vocals on the song "Better Be True".^[6]

Huey Lewis and the News

• Huey Lewis – lead vocals, harmonica
• Johnny Colla – guitar, saxophone, backing vocals
• Chris Hayes – guitar, backing vocals
• Mario Cipollina – bass
• Sean Hopper – keyboards, backing vocals
• Bill Gibson – drums, percussion, backing vocals

Additional personnel

Production

Studios

• Recorded at Studio D Recording (Sausalito, California).
• Mixed at Fantasy Studios (Berkeley, California).
• Mastered at Masterdisk (New York, New York).