Level 42
Encyclopedia
Level 42 are an English
pop rock
and jazz-funk
band who had a number of worldwide and UK hits during the 1980s and 1990s.
The band gained fame for their high-calibre musicianship—in particular that of Mark King
, whose percussive slap-bass
guitar technique provided the driving groove of many of the band's hits. The band are also known for the combination of King's lead vocals and keyboard player Mike Lindup
's falsetto backing vocals.
Having been a very successful live and studio band in the 1980s, Level 42's commercial profile diminished during the early 1990s following a series of personnel changes and musical shifts. After disbanding in 1994, the band reformed in 2001.
and played together in various bands during their teenage years. Phil Gould went on to study at London's Guildhall School of Music and Drama
, where he met keyboard player Mike Lindup
in a percussion course. Both musicians found that they shared musical heroes: Miles Davis
, John McLaughlin
, Keith Jarrett
and Jan Hammer
.
By 1979, Phil Gould and Mark King were both based in London and became involved in Robin Scott's pop project M
(Gould played on the US number one single 'Pop Muzik
'). While working with M, they became acquainted with Waliou "Wally" Badarou
, a freelance Afro-French keyboard and synthesiser player. In late 1979, Phil Gould introduced Mark King and Mike Lindup to each other, and all of them began playing together in loose rehearsal sessions, developing their own jazz-funk
fusion
style. The developing band's original guitarist was Dominic Miller
(later to find fame playing with Sting), but he was replaced by Boon Gould on the latter's return from working in the United States.
Initially, instrumental roles were flexible, with Boon Gould also playing bass guitar and saxophone and Lindup doubling on keyboards and drums. Mark King was primarily a drummer (although he also played guitar) but had recently sold his drumkit to pay for transport back to the UK after an ill-fated European venture. With Phil Gould and Boon Gould established (respectively) as the most accomplished drummer and guitarist in the quartet, King opted to learn bass guitar
instead. At the time, King was working in a London music store. A notably flexible musician and quick learner, he had observed visiting American funk players demonstrating the thumb-slap bass guitar technique
and developed his own take on the style in a matter of weeks.
The developing band (at this point, entirely an instrumental act) took the name Level 42 and settled on a working line-up of King (bass guitar, percussion), Lindup (keyboards, percussion), Boon Gould (guitar, saxophone) and Phil Gould (drums). Having maintained their links with Wally Badarou, Phil Gould and Mark King invited him to work with Level 42. Although he never formally joined the band, Badarou would become a fifth member in all but name: co-writing songs, playing keyboards and synthesisers in the studio and co-producing the records.
After they were seen jamming together, the band were invited to sign to Elite Records (a small independent label) in 1980. They were also encouraged to branch out into vocal music. Having considered recruiting a singer, the band eventually settled on giving King and Lindup the vocal role. The two men developed a complementary style, with Lindup's falsetto frequently used for harmonies and choruses while King's deep tenor led the verses (although Lindup would also sing entire songs on his own). Lyrics were generally written by the Gould brothers while King, Badarou and Lindup concentrated on Level 42's music.
, with whom they signed their second recording contract. In 1981 they released their first Polydor single, "Love Games", which became a Top 40 hit. They then cut their critically acclaimed, self-titled debut album, which was an immediate success throughout Europe. The band quickly established themselves as concert favourites, taking advantage of the high performance skills of all four members. Polydor capitalised on the band's success by releasing a second album, The Early Tapes later in the same year. This was a compilation of material from the Elite Records period (and is also known by an alternate name, Strategy
).
In 1982 Level 42 released their third album The Pursuit of Accidents. This was a further development of the Level 42 formula, maintaining their instrumental jazz-funk skills and styling but also experimenting further with pop songs. Both of the singles from the album — "Weave Your Spell" and "The Chinese Way" — charted. The latter in particular rose high in the charts and gained the band a much wider audience than before, ensuring that the parent album went on to become a huge seller.
A fourth album, Standing in the Light, was released in 1983. Produced by Larry Dunn and Verdine White (of Earth, Wind & Fire
), this album began a new era for the band, being less experimental and jazzy than previous releases. It provided them with their first UK Top Ten hit in the shape of The Sun Goes Down (Living It Up). Notably, the album featured no instrumental tracks whatsoever, with the band now focussing heavily on songs. (The band would not release another instrumental on album until 1988 and the Staring at the Sun album.)
The 1984 album True Colours veered stylistically between funk, power pop, mid-tempo rock and moody ballads. It yielded the singles "The Chant Has Begun" and "Hot Water". The latter was a Top 20 hit in Britain
and a Top 5 hit in the Netherlands where the band became very popular (the song reached also #7 in Belgium). During the same year, Mark King released his first solo album Influences on which he played the majority of the instruments (with a guest appearance by Aswad's Drummie Zeb, and with Lindup guesting on additional keyboards).
By this time, Level 42 were known for their power as a live band (as showcased on the 1985 double live album A Physical Presence
). For live gigs the band added Krys Mach, who toured with the group from 1984 to 1988 and contributed to some album recordings.
, was released in 1985. By this time, the band had moved on from their original pure jazz-funk sound towards a much more mainstream pop/R'n'B sound, with King's bass and Lindup and Badarou's chugging keyboards serving as templates for smart pop songs such as "Something About You
" and "Leaving Me Now
" which were both UK Top 20 hits (Top 40 hits in the Netherlands
).
Significantly, "Something About You" was also their first (and only) US Top 10 the following year; also reaching the Top 5 in Canada and the Top 20 in Italy and New Zealand. "Leaving Me Now
" was the second hit from this album, peaking at #15 in the United Kingdom but less successful in Europe. Elements of Level 42's roots could still be found in the funky "Coup d'État" and "Dream Crazy" on the UK version of the album, as well as a long instrumental track named "Hell," which was also recorded during the World Machine sessions (This last track did not see the light of day until the early 2000s as an MP3 download on the original Napster
).
During the recording of World Machine, the first major tensions between Phil Gould and Mark King began to surface over musical direction, production and their personal relationship. This clashing led to Gould leaving the band for a week. Allan Holdsworth
's drummer Gary Husband was lined up as a potential replacement, but Gould and King's dispute was subsequently patched up and the group went on to enjoy their most successful year to date.
The "Lessons in Love" single arrived in early 1986—a song that would soon appear on 1987's Running in the Family
album. The song was a massive international hit and became the band's biggest seller. It gave Level 42 their first number one in Denmark, Germany, Switzerland and South Africa, increasing the band's popularity considerably (it also placed at #2 in Italy, the Netherlands and Sweden, #3 in the UK and in Ireland, #4 in Austria, #10 in Norway, #12 in the US in 1987, #18 in New Zealand and #22 in France). Further singles from Running in the Family continued and built on the band's existing success: "To Be With You Again" (#6 in the Netherlands and in Ireland), the ballad "It's Over" (#3 in Ireland and #7 in the Netherlands) and Running In The Familys title track (#1 in Norway and Denmark, #3 in the Netherlands, #4 in Ireland, #5 in Switzerland, #7 in Norway and #9 in New Zealand). The album itself was a major international success, reaching the Top 10 in numerous countries,.
Keeping up the momentum, the band played at the Prince's Trust concert in July 1987, with Eric Clapton
standing in on lead guitar for a performance of Running in the Family
. King and Lindup—as house band—also performed with artists including Ben E. King
on "Stand By Me
" and The Righteous Brothers
on "You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'
".
During 1987, both Phil Gould and Boon Gould left Level 42. Both were apparently suffering from nervous exhaustion, but other factors played a role in their departure. Boon Gould left the band in late 1987, following a support slot on a Madonna
tour. He had been suffering from nervous exhaustion and also wanted to leave the lifestyle of a constantly touring musician in order to settle down and spend more time with his wife and children. However, his relationship with the band remained amicable, and although he would not return as a performing or recording member he continued to write lyrics for Level 42 following his departure.
Boon Gould was temporarily replaced by Paul Gendler (an experienced session player who'd previously been the guitarist for Modern Romance) for a six-week headlining tour and for further support slots with Tina Turner
. In December 1987, midway through the tour, Phil Gould also left Level 42. In addition to his exhaustion, his relationship with King had broken down and they found it difficult to work together. Phil was also reportedly dissatisfied with the band's direction in terms of their newer "pop" sound (even going as far to call it "shallow pop music, which I'd had as much fun playing as when I played in holiday camps"). To complete the tour dates, the band hired Prefab Sprout
drummer Neil Conti
to fill in.
) as a replacement guitarist. However, Topping and King's personalities clashed and Topping eventually left the band in early 1988 after initial writing and rehearsing sessions in Dublin. Most of the next Level 42 album, Staring at the Sun
, was recorded without a permanent guitarist. Rhythm guitar on the studio recordings was handled either by the band's old friend Dominic Miller
or by an uncredited Mark King. In April 1988, towards the end of the sessions, the band recruited lead guitarist Alan Murphy
(a highly-rated session guitarist who'd worked extensively with Kate Bush
and had also been a member of Go West
). Murphy recorded all of the album's lead lines and guitar solos in a single day.
Staring at the Sun
was released in 1988, reaching number 2 in the UK and the top ten in several European charts. It included the hit-single "Heaven in My Hands
" (number 12 in the UK and also top twenty in the Netherlands, Norway, Switzerland, etc.). Boon Gould co-wrote many of the tracks with King, Lindup and Badarou. Gary Husband was credited with his first co-write with King on "Tracie
," a tribute to King's childhood sweetheart. The band then went out on a four-month European tour, culminating in six sell-out nights at Wembley Arena (recordings from these concerts were released seven years later as the Live At Wembley album.)
During 1989, Alan Murphy contracted pneumonia, which was complicated by the fact that he was already suffering from AIDS
. His decline was rapid, and he died on 19 October 1989. This was a huge shock to the band, who had not known of Murphy's condition and who had grown so fond of him that they stated at the time that they "could not replace Alan." Murphy may have been aware of his condition before joining Level 42. At the time, Go West had been stalled by internal disagreements, and one of Murphy's reasons for joining Level 42 was to ensure that he spent his last days playing the music that he loved.
Devastated, Level 42 took a year off to regroup and rethink. To cover the gap and to fulfil the band's contract with Polydor Records, Level Best (a greatest hits compilation) was released in 1990. During the break, Mike Lindup also recorded and released his debut solo album, Changes (featuring Dominic Miller, Pino Palladino
on bass and Manu Katché
on drums).
) on additional keyboards and backing vocals and the horn section from the Guaranteed album, John Thirkell
and Gary Barnacle
.
The band signed a new contract with RCA Records in 1990, for whom they produced their next album, Guaranteed. Musically, the album demonstrated that Level 42 were trying to blend more of their earlier influences, such as Mahavishnu Orchestra, into their smooth pop sound. Although most of the rhythm guitar work was once again handled by Dominic Miller, Gary Husband asked Holdsworth
to provide some guitar work (notably on "A Kinder Eye
"). As well as drumming, Husband played most of the album's keyboards to the album and increased his songwriting role, co-writing many tracks with King, Lindup and Badarou. (The album features the only track entirely written by Husband – "If You Were Mine" – which also featured on the Guaranteed single release.) Mark King also collaborated with lyricists Drew Barfield and George Green to expand the songwriting.
Guaranteed was well-received by American music critics, who appreciated the group's musicianship and regarded it as Level 42's most musically sophisticated work to date). However, the album did not get good reviews in the UK, and the pop music scene in the UK had simultaneously moved in a different direction. Despite Guaranteed reaching #3 in the UK charts (while the title track, released as a single, reached #17), it was ultimately less commercially successful than previous efforts. Many of the band's jazz-funk-oriented fans, although they had accommodated the shift towards pop, apparently did not appreciate the album's more rock-oriented style.
, a musician with a broad pop, progressive rock and jazz-fusion background who'd previously played with 64 Spoons
, Dizrythmia (with Danny Thompson
), Henry Cow
spin-off The Lodge and Tom Robinson
(as well as on innumerable sessions). Although he didn't play on Guaranteed, Jakszyk did appear on the album's cover photo and took part in promotional duties and the tour for the album. (He would also play on two B-sides from this era: "At The Great Distance" and "As Years Go By.") Despite their lower commercial profile, the band continued to be a potent live draw, with the studio members joined on stage by singer Annie McCaig (who also did backup vocals on the Guaranteed album).
Following the end of promotion for Guaranteed, the King-Lindup-Jakszyk-Husband line-up of Level 42 returned to the studio to record several new tracks. At least two of these ("Fire" and "Free Your Soul") were completed before the band once again changed its line-up. recorded between the Guaranteed and Forever Now albums.
However, some music industry rumours suggested that the record company had put pressure on King and Lindup to work with Phil Gould again, after the disappointing reaction to Guaranteed. Gould's role as co-writer on many of the bands early hits was seen as a recipe for creating a more commercial Level 42 album. Whatever the truth of this rumour, King extended an invitation to Gould, after which both agreed to put their long-running differences aside.
Gould returned as Level 42's drummer and principal lyricist for 1994's Forever Now album, which saw the group move closer to their R&B/jazz roots (especially in the lush ballad "Romance", the acid-jazz-influenced "Sunbed Song" and the dance-pop "Learn to Say No"). Further changes to the band were evident in that all guitars on the album were played by the American session guitarist Danny Blume
(erroneously credited as "Danny Bloom"). Jakko Jakszyk did not play on the album, and has suggested that this too was a result of record company politics – with Husband gone and Phil Gould only formally contributing in the studio, Level 42 were now being marketed as just King and Lindup. This theory was supported by the fact that promo shots and videos for the album's singles (Forever Now, All Over You and Love in a Peaceful World), only featured King and Lindup. (The only other time this had happened was for the promo of 1987's "Children Say", which was the first promotional video shot after the Gould brothers left.) Forever Now was a critical success: and with one further album required as part of the band's three-album deal with RCA, fans saw a bright future for the band.
However, the reunion was short-lived. When Level 42 began to promote the new album (with Jakszyk returning to the live band for concerts and TV appearances) it was without Phil Gould. Dismayed at what he felt was the record company's ineptitude, Gould played only one promotional gig and did not go on the road for the Forever Now tour. He was quickly replaced as live drummer by Gavin Harrison
, a widely regarded session drummer and long-term Jakko Jakszyk associate who'd previously played with Renaissance. (Harrison would later drum for both Porcupine Tree
and King Crimson
.)
In 1996, a second Level 42 live album, Live At Wembley, was released, featuring a 1988 concert from the Staring At The Sun line-up of King, Lindup, Husband and Murphy.
(featuring lyrics by Boon Gould). The album was not a big commercial success. King has subsequently expressed an unwillingness to get involved in record industry politics again after his experience with Virgin Records .
King later toured as a solo act, playing his own new compositions and some Level 42 favourites. In 1999, he played some shows at the Jazz Cafe in London under the name of "The Mark King Group." This was of notable interest to Level 42 fans as the band included former Level 42 members – drummer Gary Husband
and guitarist Jakko Jakszyk
– as well as second guitarist Nathan King
(Mark King's younger brother) and Lyndon Connah on keyboards. Over the next couple of years King toured with his new band (sometimes called "Grupo Mark King"), although Jakszyk left the band after the Jazz Cafe shows and the line-up was augmented by saxophone player Sean Freeman.
In August 1999, three-quarters of the original Level 42 line-up reunited for a private show. Phil Gould invited some musician friends to play at a party, including his brother Boon and Mike Lindup. In 2001, Mark King, Mike Lindup and Phil Gould played together (at Lindup's wedding) for the first time in ten years. This led to a tentative get-together of the original line-up along with Wally Badarou, to work on a new studio album only. However, the reformation was short-lived and the sessions were abandoned.
On 12 July 2002, Mark King, along with Lyndon J Connah (keyboards), Nathan King (guitar), Sean Freeman (saxophone) and Gary Husband (drums), played one of their first proper date, under the name of Level 42, at The Circus Tavern, in Purfleet Essex.
It is believed that, the owner of the venue, Aaron Stone, personally sponsored and set up the gig, due to his own personal love of the band's music.
On 13 February 2005, Level 42 played a historic date at The Forum in London. For the first time since 14 October 1994 at The Royal Albert Hall, Mike Lindup joined the band on stage.
2005 saw a burst of reissue activity. In March, two classic-era Rockpalast shows from 1983 and 1984 were released on DVD, and in April a show from 1983 recorded in Scotland was released on CD as The River Sessions". In June, The Ultimate Collection II was released (including a brand new song called "Genius Of Love" – this was in fact a Level 42 tribute/collaboration by Italian-American dance producer Hardage, featuring Mark King on vocals and incorporating a sample of the Level 42 track "I Want Eyes").
was announced in February 2006. The album was chiefly recorded and produced by King at his home studio, with Gary Husband, Lyndon Connah, Sean Freeman and Nathan King all contributing. (For Husband, this was his first Level 42 studio album since 1991's Guaranteed.) Retroglide also featured input from past Level 42 members. Mike Lindup added keyboards and vocals to many tracks, and Boon Gould co-wrote most of the album with King as well as contributing a guitar solo on the track "Ship." Although Phil Gould
is uncredited on the album, the track "Ship" is the first song since 1986 worked on by all four original members, as Phil originally arranged the track with his brother Boon. However, Retroglide was also the first Level 42 album not to feature any contributions from Wally Badarou
.
The album was promoted via a supporting tour throughout the UK, Netherlands, Germany and some other European countries, scheduled for October 2006. In May 2006, Level 42 announced that Mike Lindup
would return full-time to replace Lyndon Connah on keyboards. (Connah went on to play keyboards with a revived Go West, as well as continuing work with his own band 3 Blind Mice.) On Sunday 26 August 2007, Level 42 played an outdoor gig at the Arundel Festival in West Sussex. Set in the grounds of the ancient Arundel Castle, in the village of the same name, the performance had a number of unexpected changes to the setlist. "Running in the Family," a top 10 hit from 1987, was the second song in the set for the first time ever. The track usually appeared towards the end of the show in a medley of the band's most successful singles, which King affectionately refers to as "a string of knackered old hits." The concert was Level 42's only UK show of 2007.
In 2008, Universal Music was set to reissue Running in the Family in the label's 'Deluxe Edition' format, which takes a single disc album and turns it into a double disc package with previously unreleased bonus material. Extended reissues of the Standing in the Light
, True Colours
and Staring at the Sun
albums were scheduled for release at the same time. As of September 2009, all four have yet to be released. Previously, Universal had reissued World Machine
in the 'Deluxe Edition' format, along with single disc reissues of Level 42, Strategy
, and The Pursuit of Accidents
. A new twenty date Level 42 UK tour was announced by the band on 16 January 2008.
versions of Level 42 songs, following the band's success in performing acoustic shows on various European radio shows in 2006 while promoting Retroglide. Two notable points in these live radio performances were King singing and playing acoustic guitar (along with his brother Nathan), instead of his trademark bass playing, with both Lindup and Husband performing on acoustic pianos. This possible "acoustic" album was also mentioned in syndicated radio interviews. The band is contracted to deliver a further two albums to Universal Music subsidiary W14 Music, as part of a Distribution deal signed prior to the release of Retroglide in 2006.
UPDATE: Mark is quoted in April 2010 Bass Musician Magazine thus:
Level 42 is including some dates in the U.S. in late July 2010 as part of their 30th anniversary tour. See Level42.com for details.
During 2010, Gary Husband did not tour with the band due to prior commitments with John McLaughlin
, and has commented that he is unlikely to play on future Level 42 tours, although he has not formally stated whether or not he has left the band.
1 Boon subsequently wrote lyrics for the albums: Staring at the Sun
(1988) and 2006's Retroglide
. He also played a guitar solo on the track "Ship", which was originally his composition, which was added to by King.
in a very tall building in the US; the top level of the biggest car-park in the world, in Japan; the floor on which Jonathan Pryce
's character resides in the film Brazil
(which was released long after the band gained international recognition); or after Tower 42
(also known as the NatWest Tower) formerly the tallest building in the City of London
.
so their idea was abandoned (although '88' was later used as a song title). King and Gould both claim to have been reading Douglas Adams
' comical science fiction novel, The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy
wherein the Answer to The Ultimate Question of Life, the Universe, and Everything, is '42
'. Therefore '42' was suggested as a name for the band.
It should be noted that their then producer, Andy Sojka (now deceased), similarly claimed to have been reading the book, and claimed to have put forward the number as a suggested band name. It is known therefore, that the use of the number '42' in the band name came from either King, Boon Gould, or Sojka. The appendage of the word 'Level' is claimed to have been from either Sojka's lawyer, or John Gould's (the third brother and band manager) lawyer.
'Kick In The Head' was finally used by the band as a working title for the song "A Floating Life" on their True Colours album. The lyric features in the song.
Three further songs (all instrumentals) were 'numbered' by the band: '43', '88' and the B-side 'Forty-two'.
:
"Love Games
" (1981) – #38
"The Chinese Way
" (1983) – #24
"The Sun Goes Down (Living It Up)
" (1983) – #10
"Micro Kid" (1983) – #37
"Hot Water
" (1984) – #18
"Something About You
" (1985) – #6
"Leaving Me Now
" (1985) – #15
"Lessons in Love" (1986) – #3
"Running in the Family
" (1987) – #6
"To Be With You Again
" (1987) – #10
"It's Over
" (1987) – #10
"Children Say
" (1987) – #22
"Heaven in My Hands
" (1988) – #12
"Take a Look
" (1988) – #32
"Tracie
" (1989) – #25
"Take Care of Yourself
" (1989) – #39
"Guaranteed" (1991) – #17
"Forever Now" (1994) – #19
"All Over You
" (1994) – #26
"Love In A Peaceful World
" (1994) – #31
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
pop rock
Pop rock
Pop rock is a music genre which mixes a catchy pop style and light lyrics in its guitar-based rock songs. There are varying definitions of the term, ranging from a slower and mellower form of rock music to a subgenre of pop music...
and jazz-funk
Jazz-funk
Jazz-funk is a sub-genre of jazz music characterized by a strong back beat , electrified sounds, and often, the presence of the first electronic analog synthesizers...
band who had a number of worldwide and UK hits during the 1980s and 1990s.
The band gained fame for their high-calibre musicianship—in particular that of Mark King
Mark King (musician)
Mark King is an English musician. He is most famous for being the lead singer and bassist of the band, Level 42. In the early 1980s King popularized the 1970s-era slap and pop style for playing the bass guitar by incorporating it into pop music.-Early life:King was brought up on the Isle of Wight,...
, whose percussive slap-bass
Slapping
In music, the term slapping is often used to refer to two different playing techniques used on the double bass and on the bass guitar.-Double bass:...
guitar technique provided the driving groove of many of the band's hits. The band are also known for the combination of King's lead vocals and keyboard player Mike Lindup
Mike Lindup
Mike Lindup is best known as the keyboard player and falsetto voiced singer, who joined with Mark King and brothers Phil and Boon Gould to form the 1980s - 1990s British funk/rock/pop band, Level 42....
's falsetto backing vocals.
Having been a very successful live and studio band in the 1980s, Level 42's commercial profile diminished during the early 1990s following a series of personnel changes and musical shifts. After disbanding in 1994, the band reformed in 2001.
1979–1980: Formation
Mark King and the Gould brothers (Phil and Rowland, the latter generally known by his nickname "Boon") were all brought up on the Isle of WightIsle of Wight
The Isle of Wight is a county and the largest island of England, located in the English Channel, on average about 2–4 miles off the south coast of the county of Hampshire, separated from the mainland by a strait called the Solent...
and played together in various bands during their teenage years. Phil Gould went on to study at London's Guildhall School of Music and Drama
Guildhall School of Music and Drama
Guildhall School of Music and Drama is an independent music and dramatic arts school which was founded in 1880 in London, England. Students can pursue courses in Music, Opera, Drama and Technical Theatre Arts.-History:...
, where he met keyboard player Mike Lindup
Mike Lindup
Mike Lindup is best known as the keyboard player and falsetto voiced singer, who joined with Mark King and brothers Phil and Boon Gould to form the 1980s - 1990s British funk/rock/pop band, Level 42....
in a percussion course. Both musicians found that they shared musical heroes: Miles Davis
Miles Davis
Miles Dewey Davis III was an American jazz musician, trumpeter, bandleader, and composer. Widely considered one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century, Miles Davis was, with his musical groups, at the forefront of several major developments in jazz music, including bebop, cool jazz,...
, John McLaughlin
John McLaughlin (musician)
John McLaughlin , also known as Mahavishnu John McLaughlin, is an English guitarist, bandleader and composer...
, Keith Jarrett
Keith Jarrett
Keith Jarrett is an American pianist and composer who performs both jazz and classical music.Jarrett started his career with Art Blakey, moving on to play with Charles Lloyd and Miles Davis. Since the early 1970s he has enjoyed a great deal of success in jazz, jazz fusion, and classical music; as...
and Jan Hammer
Jan Hammer
Jan Hammer is a composer, pianist and keyboardist. He first gained his most visible audience while playing keyboards with the Mahavishnu Orchestra in the early 1970s, as well as his film scores for television and film including "Miami Vice Theme" and "Crockett's Theme", from the popular 1980s...
.
By 1979, Phil Gould and Mark King were both based in London and became involved in Robin Scott's pop project M
M (band)
M was English musician Robin Scott's brief but very successful new wave/synthpop project in the late 1970s and early 1980s. M is most known for the 1979 hit "Pop Muzik", which reached #2 in the UK Singles Chart in May 1979, and #1 in the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart on 3 November 1979...
(Gould played on the US number one single 'Pop Muzik
Pop Muzik
"Pop Muzik" is a 1979 hit song by M, a project by Robin Scott.-Concept and chart performance:Robin Scott describes the genesis of "Pop Muzik" this way:...
'). While working with M, they became acquainted with Waliou "Wally" Badarou
Wally Badarou
Wally Badarou is a musician from Benin.-Biography:A synthesiser specialist, Badarou was the longtime associate of the British band Level 42, known for its blend of funk, pop, soul and rock...
, a freelance Afro-French keyboard and synthesiser player. In late 1979, Phil Gould introduced Mark King and Mike Lindup to each other, and all of them began playing together in loose rehearsal sessions, developing their own jazz-funk
Jazz-funk
Jazz-funk is a sub-genre of jazz music characterized by a strong back beat , electrified sounds, and often, the presence of the first electronic analog synthesizers...
fusion
Fusion (music)
A fusion genre is music that combines two or more styles. For example, rock and roll originally developed as a fusion of blues, gospel and country music. The main characteristics of fusion genres are variations in tempo, rhythm, i a sometimes the use of long musical "journeys" that can be divided...
style. The developing band's original guitarist was Dominic Miller
Dominic Miller
Dominic Miller is an Argentine-English guitarist who toured and recorded with World Party and King Swamp, worked on Phil Collins' solo album ...But Seriously and played guitar on every Sting album and tour since 1990...
(later to find fame playing with Sting), but he was replaced by Boon Gould on the latter's return from working in the United States.
Initially, instrumental roles were flexible, with Boon Gould also playing bass guitar and saxophone and Lindup doubling on keyboards and drums. Mark King was primarily a drummer (although he also played guitar) but had recently sold his drumkit to pay for transport back to the UK after an ill-fated European venture. With Phil Gould and Boon Gould established (respectively) as the most accomplished drummer and guitarist in the quartet, King opted to learn bass guitar
Bass guitar
The bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
instead. At the time, King was working in a London music store. A notably flexible musician and quick learner, he had observed visiting American funk players demonstrating the thumb-slap bass guitar technique
Slapping
In music, the term slapping is often used to refer to two different playing techniques used on the double bass and on the bass guitar.-Double bass:...
and developed his own take on the style in a matter of weeks.
The developing band (at this point, entirely an instrumental act) took the name Level 42 and settled on a working line-up of King (bass guitar, percussion), Lindup (keyboards, percussion), Boon Gould (guitar, saxophone) and Phil Gould (drums). Having maintained their links with Wally Badarou, Phil Gould and Mark King invited him to work with Level 42. Although he never formally joined the band, Badarou would become a fifth member in all but name: co-writing songs, playing keyboards and synthesisers in the studio and co-producing the records.
After they were seen jamming together, the band were invited to sign to Elite Records (a small independent label) in 1980. They were also encouraged to branch out into vocal music. Having considered recruiting a singer, the band eventually settled on giving King and Lindup the vocal role. The two men developed a complementary style, with Lindup's falsetto frequently used for harmonies and choruses while King's deep tenor led the verses (although Lindup would also sing entire songs on his own). Lyrics were generally written by the Gould brothers while King, Badarou and Lindup concentrated on Level 42's music.
1981–1984: Early years and first four albums
The Elite Records single "Love Meeting Love" brought the band to the attention of Polydor RecordsPolydor Records
Polydor is a record label owned by Universal Music Group, headquartered in the United Kingdom.-Beginnings:Polydor was originally an independent branch of the Deutsche Grammophon Gesellschaft. Its name was first used as an export label in 1924, the British and German branches of the Gramophone...
, with whom they signed their second recording contract. In 1981 they released their first Polydor single, "Love Games", which became a Top 40 hit. They then cut their critically acclaimed, self-titled debut album, which was an immediate success throughout Europe. The band quickly established themselves as concert favourites, taking advantage of the high performance skills of all four members. Polydor capitalised on the band's success by releasing a second album, The Early Tapes later in the same year. This was a compilation of material from the Elite Records period (and is also known by an alternate name, Strategy
Strategy (album)
Originally intended to be released by Elite Records and titled Strategy, The Early Tapes is the second album released, but first to be recorded, by the British group Level 42. The band subsequently signed to Polydor, who bought the masters from Elite and issued it in March 1982...
).
In 1982 Level 42 released their third album The Pursuit of Accidents. This was a further development of the Level 42 formula, maintaining their instrumental jazz-funk skills and styling but also experimenting further with pop songs. Both of the singles from the album — "Weave Your Spell" and "The Chinese Way" — charted. The latter in particular rose high in the charts and gained the band a much wider audience than before, ensuring that the parent album went on to become a huge seller.
A fourth album, Standing in the Light, was released in 1983. Produced by Larry Dunn and Verdine White (of Earth, Wind & Fire
Earth, Wind & Fire
Earth, Wind & Fire is an American soul and R&B band formed in Chicago, Illinois, in 1969 by Verdine and Maurice White. Also known as EWF, the band has won six Grammy Awards and four American Music Awards. They have been inducted into both the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Vocal Group Hall of...
), this album began a new era for the band, being less experimental and jazzy than previous releases. It provided them with their first UK Top Ten hit in the shape of The Sun Goes Down (Living It Up). Notably, the album featured no instrumental tracks whatsoever, with the band now focussing heavily on songs. (The band would not release another instrumental on album until 1988 and the Staring at the Sun album.)
The 1984 album True Colours veered stylistically between funk, power pop, mid-tempo rock and moody ballads. It yielded the singles "The Chant Has Begun" and "Hot Water". The latter was a Top 20 hit in Britain
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
and a Top 5 hit in the Netherlands where the band became very popular (the song reached also #7 in Belgium). During the same year, Mark King released his first solo album Influences on which he played the majority of the instruments (with a guest appearance by Aswad's Drummie Zeb, and with Lindup guesting on additional keyboards).
A Physical Presence
A Physical Presence is a two-disc live album by the British jazz-funk pop group Level 42, released in June 1985 and recorded in England during March 1985 at The Coronet Woolwich, The Hexagon, Reading and Goldiggers, Chippenham, Wiltshire...
). For live gigs the band added Krys Mach, who toured with the group from 1984 to 1988 and contributed to some album recordings.
1985–1987: Worldwide fame (World Machine and Running in the Family) and split of original line-up
The next studio album, World MachineWorld Machine
World Machine is the sixth studio album by the British pop group Level 42, released in 1985. It peaked at #3 on the UK album charts, and it stayed on the chart for 72 weeks. It was the band's first disc to enter the Billboard 200 , and it stayed on the chart for 36 weeks...
, was released in 1985. By this time, the band had moved on from their original pure jazz-funk sound towards a much more mainstream pop/R'n'B sound, with King's bass and Lindup and Badarou's chugging keyboards serving as templates for smart pop songs such as "Something About You
Something About You (Level 42 song)
"Something About You" is a single released by British Jazz funk band Level 42 in 1985, in advance of its inclusion on the album World Machine the same year...
" and "Leaving Me Now
Leaving Me Now
"Leaving Me Now" is a single released in 1985 by the British musical group Level 42. It was the second single taken from their sixth studio album World Machine. The song is written by Mark King, Phil Gould and Wally Badarou. The song contains a piano riff by Wally Badarou.The single's cover art is...
" which were both UK Top 20 hits (Top 40 hits in the Netherlands
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
).
Significantly, "Something About You" was also their first (and only) US Top 10 the following year; also reaching the Top 5 in Canada and the Top 20 in Italy and New Zealand. "Leaving Me Now
Leaving Me Now
"Leaving Me Now" is a single released in 1985 by the British musical group Level 42. It was the second single taken from their sixth studio album World Machine. The song is written by Mark King, Phil Gould and Wally Badarou. The song contains a piano riff by Wally Badarou.The single's cover art is...
" was the second hit from this album, peaking at #15 in the United Kingdom but less successful in Europe. Elements of Level 42's roots could still be found in the funky "Coup d'État" and "Dream Crazy" on the UK version of the album, as well as a long instrumental track named "Hell," which was also recorded during the World Machine sessions (This last track did not see the light of day until the early 2000s as an MP3 download on the original Napster
Napster
Napster is an online music store and a Best Buy company. It was originally founded as a pioneering peer-to-peer file sharing Internet service that emphasized sharing audio files that were typically digitally encoded music as MP3 format files...
).
During the recording of World Machine, the first major tensions between Phil Gould and Mark King began to surface over musical direction, production and their personal relationship. This clashing led to Gould leaving the band for a week. Allan Holdsworth
Allan Holdsworth
Allan Holdsworth is an English guitarist and composer. He has released twelve studio albums as a solo artist and played many different styles of music over a period of four decades, but first drew attention for his work in jazz fusion...
's drummer Gary Husband was lined up as a potential replacement, but Gould and King's dispute was subsequently patched up and the group went on to enjoy their most successful year to date.
The "Lessons in Love" single arrived in early 1986—a song that would soon appear on 1987's Running in the Family
Running in the Family
Running in the Family was the seventh album from Level 42, released in 1987. It featured the UK hit singles: "Lessons in Love" , "Running in the Family" , "To Be With You Again" , "It's Over" and "Children Say"...
album. The song was a massive international hit and became the band's biggest seller. It gave Level 42 their first number one in Denmark, Germany, Switzerland and South Africa, increasing the band's popularity considerably (it also placed at #2 in Italy, the Netherlands and Sweden, #3 in the UK and in Ireland, #4 in Austria, #10 in Norway, #12 in the US in 1987, #18 in New Zealand and #22 in France). Further singles from Running in the Family continued and built on the band's existing success: "To Be With You Again" (#6 in the Netherlands and in Ireland), the ballad "It's Over" (#3 in Ireland and #7 in the Netherlands) and Running In The Familys title track (#1 in Norway and Denmark, #3 in the Netherlands, #4 in Ireland, #5 in Switzerland, #7 in Norway and #9 in New Zealand). The album itself was a major international success, reaching the Top 10 in numerous countries,.
Eric Clapton
Eric Patrick Clapton, CBE, is an English guitarist and singer-songwriter. Clapton is the only three-time inductee to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame: once as a solo artist, and separately as a member of The Yardbirds and Cream. Clapton has been referred to as one of the most important and...
standing in on lead guitar for a performance of Running in the Family
Running in the Family (song)
"Running in the Family" is a single released in 1987 by the UK band Level 42, from the album Running in the Family. The song had different lyrics when sung at the Wembley Arena in 1986. . It was then popped up for the release of the single which had significant success, reaching #6 on the UK...
. King and Lindup—as house band—also performed with artists including Ben E. King
Ben E. King
Benjamin Earl King , better known as Ben E. King, is an American soul singer. He is perhaps best known as the singer and co-composer of "Stand by Me", a U.S...
on "Stand By Me
Stand by Me (song)
"Stand by Me" is the title of a song originally performed by Ben E. King and written by King, Jerry Leiber, and Mike Stoller, based on the spiritual "Lord Stand by Me,", plus two lines rooted in Psalms 46:2-3...
" and The Righteous Brothers
The Righteous Brothers
The Righteous Brothers were the musical duo of Bill Medley and Bobby Hatfield. They recorded from 1963 through 1975, and continued to perform until Hatfield's death in 2003...
on "You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'
You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'
"You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin" is a 1964 song by The Righteous Brothers which became a number-one hit single in the United States and the United Kingdom the following year. In 1999, the performing-rights organization Broadcast Music, Inc. ranked the song as having had more radio and television...
".
During 1987, both Phil Gould and Boon Gould left Level 42. Both were apparently suffering from nervous exhaustion, but other factors played a role in their departure. Boon Gould left the band in late 1987, following a support slot on a Madonna
Madonna (entertainer)
Madonna is an American singer-songwriter, actress and entrepreneur. Born in Bay City, Michigan, she moved to New York City in 1977 to pursue a career in modern dance. After performing in the music groups Breakfast Club and Emmy, she released her debut album in 1983...
tour. He had been suffering from nervous exhaustion and also wanted to leave the lifestyle of a constantly touring musician in order to settle down and spend more time with his wife and children. However, his relationship with the band remained amicable, and although he would not return as a performing or recording member he continued to write lyrics for Level 42 following his departure.
Boon Gould was temporarily replaced by Paul Gendler (an experienced session player who'd previously been the guitarist for Modern Romance) for a six-week headlining tour and for further support slots with Tina Turner
Tina Turner
Tina Turner is an American singer and actress whose career has spanned more than 50 years. She has won numerous awards and her achievements in the rock music genre have led many to call her the "Queen of Rock 'n' Roll".Turner started out her music career with husband Ike Turner as a member of the...
. In December 1987, midway through the tour, Phil Gould also left Level 42. In addition to his exhaustion, his relationship with King had broken down and they found it difficult to work together. Phil was also reportedly dissatisfied with the band's direction in terms of their newer "pop" sound (even going as far to call it "shallow pop music, which I'd had as much fun playing as when I played in holiday camps"). To complete the tour dates, the band hired Prefab Sprout
Prefab Sprout
Prefab Sprout are an alternative English pop rock band from Witton Gilbert, County Durham, England who rose to fame during the 1980s. Eight of their albums have reached the Top 40 in the UK Albums Chart, and one of their singles, "The King of Rock 'n' Roll", peaked at number seven in the UK...
drummer Neil Conti
Neil Conti
Neil Conti is an English drummer and music producer who was an integral member of the pop/rock band Prefab Sprout, while continuing to be in demand as a session drummer for artists and bands such as David Bowie, Mick Jagger, Annie Lennox, Cher, Level 42, Laurie Anderson, Steve Winwood, Paul Young,...
to fill in.
1988–1990: The second line-up (Staring at the Sun)
Following the tour, Level 42 recruited Gary Husband as the band's new full-time drummer. He in turn recommended Steve Topping (ex-Drowning Not Waving, Esquire, John StevensJohn Stevens (drummer)
John William Stevens was an English drummer. He was one of the most significant figures in early free improvisation, and a founding member of the Spontaneous Music Ensemble .-Biography:Stevens was born in Brentford, the son of a tap dancer...
) as a replacement guitarist. However, Topping and King's personalities clashed and Topping eventually left the band in early 1988 after initial writing and rehearsing sessions in Dublin. Most of the next Level 42 album, Staring at the Sun
Staring at the Sun (Level 42 album)
Staring at the Sun is the eighth studio album released by the British pop band Level 42, in 1988. Produced by Level 42, Wally Badarou and Julian Mendelsohn. Recorded at Miraval, France. Engineered and mixed by Julian Mendelsohn. Engineer's assistant - Jean Lamoot. Mastered at The Townhouse by Kevin...
, was recorded without a permanent guitarist. Rhythm guitar on the studio recordings was handled either by the band's old friend Dominic Miller
Dominic Miller
Dominic Miller is an Argentine-English guitarist who toured and recorded with World Party and King Swamp, worked on Phil Collins' solo album ...But Seriously and played guitar on every Sting album and tour since 1990...
or by an uncredited Mark King. In April 1988, towards the end of the sessions, the band recruited lead guitarist Alan Murphy
Alan Murphy
Alan Murphy was an English rock session guitarist, best remembered for his collaborations with Kate Bush and Go West. In 1988 he joined the group Level 42 as a full time band member, and played with them until his death in 1989...
(a highly-rated session guitarist who'd worked extensively with Kate Bush
Kate Bush
Kate Bush is an English singer-songwriter, musician and record producer. Her eclectic musical style and idiosyncratic vocal style have made her one of the United Kingdom's most successful solo female performers of the past 30 years.In 1978, at the age of 19, Bush topped the UK Singles Chart...
and had also been a member of Go West
Go West (band)
Go West is an English pop duo, formed in 1982 by lead vocalist and drummer Peter Cox ; and guitarist and vocalist Richard Drummie...
). Murphy recorded all of the album's lead lines and guitar solos in a single day.
Staring at the Sun
Staring at the Sun (Level 42 album)
Staring at the Sun is the eighth studio album released by the British pop band Level 42, in 1988. Produced by Level 42, Wally Badarou and Julian Mendelsohn. Recorded at Miraval, France. Engineered and mixed by Julian Mendelsohn. Engineer's assistant - Jean Lamoot. Mastered at The Townhouse by Kevin...
was released in 1988, reaching number 2 in the UK and the top ten in several European charts. It included the hit-single "Heaven in My Hands
Heaven in My Hands
"Heaven in My Hands" is a song by the British group Level 42. It was released as a single in 1988, from the album Staring at the Sun.It reached number 12 in the UK charts upon release in 1988, and was the first single not to feature the Gould brothers, Boon and Phil, following their departure the...
" (number 12 in the UK and also top twenty in the Netherlands, Norway, Switzerland, etc.). Boon Gould co-wrote many of the tracks with King, Lindup and Badarou. Gary Husband was credited with his first co-write with King on "Tracie
Tracie (song)
"Tracie" is a song by British band Level 42, written by then-current bandmembers Gary Husband and Mark King. It appeared on the band's 1988 studio album Staring at the Sun. The song features great work from frontman Mark King on bass, and it also features keyboardist Mike Lindup playing harmonica...
," a tribute to King's childhood sweetheart. The band then went out on a four-month European tour, culminating in six sell-out nights at Wembley Arena (recordings from these concerts were released seven years later as the Live At Wembley album.)
During 1989, Alan Murphy contracted pneumonia, which was complicated by the fact that he was already suffering from AIDS
AIDS
Acquired immune deficiency syndrome or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome is a disease of the human immune system caused by the human immunodeficiency virus...
. His decline was rapid, and he died on 19 October 1989. This was a huge shock to the band, who had not known of Murphy's condition and who had grown so fond of him that they stated at the time that they "could not replace Alan." Murphy may have been aware of his condition before joining Level 42. At the time, Go West had been stalled by internal disagreements, and one of Murphy's reasons for joining Level 42 was to ensure that he spent his last days playing the music that he loved.
Devastated, Level 42 took a year off to regroup and rethink. To cover the gap and to fulfil the band's contract with Polydor Records, Level Best (a greatest hits compilation) was released in 1990. During the break, Mike Lindup also recorded and released his debut solo album, Changes (featuring Dominic Miller, Pino Palladino
Pino Palladino
Pino Palladino is a Welsh bass guitarist who gained fame playing primarily rock and roll, blues rock, and rhythm and blues music, although he has been lauded for his ability to play most genres of popular music, including jazz, neo soul, and funk...
on bass and Manu Katché
Manu Katché
Manu Katché is a French musician of Ivorian origin, born in Saint-Maur-des-Fossés on 27 October 1958. He is a drummer and songwriter.-Career:Session musician...
on drums).
1990: The third line-up (Guaranteed)
In December 1990, Level 42 returned to play a record run of concerts at Hammersmith Odeon, London (in part, fulfilling booking obligations preceding the band's recent hiatus). Guesting on guitar was Allan Holdsworth (a hero of the late Alan Murphy), whom Husband had asked to play as a favour while the band searched for a permanent guitarist. These concerts also marked the arrival of Lyndon Connah (ex-64 Spoons64 Spoons
64 Spoons were a British rock/pop band active in the late 1970s and early 1980s, who utilised strong elements of progressive rock, jazz-fusion, punk energy and performance comedy...
) on additional keyboards and backing vocals and the horn section from the Guaranteed album, John Thirkell
John Thirkell
John Thirkell is a British trumpet and flugelhorn player, who has appeared on hundreds of pop, rock, and jazz recordings. Through the 1980s and early 1990s he was on at least one album in the UK Charts continuously, without a break, for over 13 years...
and Gary Barnacle
Gary Barnacle
Gary Barnacle is a saxophonist/flautist, brass instrument arranger, composer and producer, primarily noted for session work, live work Gary Barnacle (born 1959, Dover, England) is a saxophonist/flautist, brass instrument arranger, composer and producer, primarily noted for session work, live work...
.
The band signed a new contract with RCA Records in 1990, for whom they produced their next album, Guaranteed. Musically, the album demonstrated that Level 42 were trying to blend more of their earlier influences, such as Mahavishnu Orchestra, into their smooth pop sound. Although most of the rhythm guitar work was once again handled by Dominic Miller, Gary Husband asked Holdsworth
Allan Holdsworth
Allan Holdsworth is an English guitarist and composer. He has released twelve studio albums as a solo artist and played many different styles of music over a period of four decades, but first drew attention for his work in jazz fusion...
to provide some guitar work (notably on "A Kinder Eye
A Kinder Eye
"A Kinder Eye" is a song written by Mark King and George M. Green dedicated to the memory of Frances Robblee, George Green's mother-in-law.The song was launched in 1991, in the album Guaranteed, album of studio of the British musical group Level 42. The Music speaks about a painter widow, that...
"). As well as drumming, Husband played most of the album's keyboards to the album and increased his songwriting role, co-writing many tracks with King, Lindup and Badarou. (The album features the only track entirely written by Husband – "If You Were Mine" – which also featured on the Guaranteed single release.) Mark King also collaborated with lyricists Drew Barfield and George Green to expand the songwriting.
Guaranteed was well-received by American music critics, who appreciated the group's musicianship and regarded it as Level 42's most musically sophisticated work to date). However, the album did not get good reviews in the UK, and the pop music scene in the UK had simultaneously moved in a different direction. Despite Guaranteed reaching #3 in the UK charts (while the title track, released as a single, reached #17), it was ultimately less commercially successful than previous efforts. Many of the band's jazz-funk-oriented fans, although they had accommodated the shift towards pop, apparently did not appreciate the album's more rock-oriented style.
1991–1992: The fourth line-up
After the recording of Guaranteed (and a week-long promotional tour), Level 42 found themselves in need of a permanent guitarist. Mark King assumed (apparently incorrectly) that Allan Holdsworth would not be interested in taking the position and hired Jakko JakszykJakko Jakszyk
Jakko M. Jakszyk is an English guitarist, singer-songwriter , multi-instrumentalist and producer...
, a musician with a broad pop, progressive rock and jazz-fusion background who'd previously played with 64 Spoons
64 Spoons
64 Spoons were a British rock/pop band active in the late 1970s and early 1980s, who utilised strong elements of progressive rock, jazz-fusion, punk energy and performance comedy...
, Dizrythmia (with Danny Thompson
Danny Thompson
Daniel Henry Edward 'Danny' Thompson is an English multi-instrumentalist best known as a double bassist and businessman...
), Henry Cow
Henry Cow
Henry Cow were an English avant-rock group, founded at Cambridge University in 1968 by multi-instrumentalists Fred Frith and Tim Hodgkinson. Henry Cow's personnel fluctuated over their decade together, but drummer Chris Cutler and bassoonist/oboist Lindsay Cooper were important long-term members...
spin-off The Lodge and Tom Robinson
Tom Robinson
Tom Robinson is an English singer-songwriter, bassist and radio presenter, better known for the hits "Glad to Be Gay", "2-4-6-8 Motorway", and "Don't Take No for an Answer", with his Tom Robinson Band...
(as well as on innumerable sessions). Although he didn't play on Guaranteed, Jakszyk did appear on the album's cover photo and took part in promotional duties and the tour for the album. (He would also play on two B-sides from this era: "At The Great Distance" and "As Years Go By.") Despite their lower commercial profile, the band continued to be a potent live draw, with the studio members joined on stage by singer Annie McCaig (who also did backup vocals on the Guaranteed album).
Following the end of promotion for Guaranteed, the King-Lindup-Jakszyk-Husband line-up of Level 42 returned to the studio to record several new tracks. At least two of these ("Fire" and "Free Your Soul") were completed before the band once again changed its line-up. recorded between the Guaranteed and Forever Now albums.
1993: The fifth line-up (Forever Now)
In early 1993, Gary Husband left Level 42. Various reasons for this were cited at the time—some stated that Husband did not like to play with a sequencer or click track and that the band were increasingly using more of these in their performances. Husband was also keen to continue his ongoing work with Allan Holdsworth and to develop his other career as jazz composer and bandleader (both as drummer and keyboard player/pianist).However, some music industry rumours suggested that the record company had put pressure on King and Lindup to work with Phil Gould again, after the disappointing reaction to Guaranteed. Gould's role as co-writer on many of the bands early hits was seen as a recipe for creating a more commercial Level 42 album. Whatever the truth of this rumour, King extended an invitation to Gould, after which both agreed to put their long-running differences aside.
Gould returned as Level 42's drummer and principal lyricist for 1994's Forever Now album, which saw the group move closer to their R&B/jazz roots (especially in the lush ballad "Romance", the acid-jazz-influenced "Sunbed Song" and the dance-pop "Learn to Say No"). Further changes to the band were evident in that all guitars on the album were played by the American session guitarist Danny Blume
Danny Blume
Danny Blume is an American music producer, musician, and composer. He is a Grammy Award winner, multiple Grammy nominee, and co-founder/owner of the production team GoodandEvil with Christian Castagno, with studios operating in Brooklyn and Woodstock New York...
(erroneously credited as "Danny Bloom"). Jakko Jakszyk did not play on the album, and has suggested that this too was a result of record company politics – with Husband gone and Phil Gould only formally contributing in the studio, Level 42 were now being marketed as just King and Lindup. This theory was supported by the fact that promo shots and videos for the album's singles (Forever Now, All Over You and Love in a Peaceful World), only featured King and Lindup. (The only other time this had happened was for the promo of 1987's "Children Say", which was the first promotional video shot after the Gould brothers left.) Forever Now was a critical success: and with one further album required as part of the band's three-album deal with RCA, fans saw a bright future for the band.
However, the reunion was short-lived. When Level 42 began to promote the new album (with Jakszyk returning to the live band for concerts and TV appearances) it was without Phil Gould. Dismayed at what he felt was the record company's ineptitude, Gould played only one promotional gig and did not go on the road for the Forever Now tour. He was quickly replaced as live drummer by Gavin Harrison
Gavin Harrison
Gavin Harrison is a British drummer and percussionist. He is best known for playing with the British progressive rock band Porcupine Tree which he joined in 2002. As of 2008, he also plays with the band King Crimson....
, a widely regarded session drummer and long-term Jakko Jakszyk associate who'd previously played with Renaissance. (Harrison would later drum for both Porcupine Tree
Porcupine Tree
Porcupine Tree is a progressive rock band formed by Steven Wilson in 1987 in Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, England. Their music is difficult to categorise, being associated with both psychedelic rock and progressive rock, yet having been influenced by trance, krautrock and ambient due to Steven...
and King Crimson
King Crimson
King Crimson are a rock band founded in London, England in 1969. Often categorised as a foundational progressive rock group, the band have incorporated diverse influences and instrumentation during their history...
.)
1994: Level 42 disbands
The years of personnel upheaval and hard gigging had taken their toll, and it was announced halfway through the Forever Now tour (on the day of the Manchester Apollo gig) that Level 42 would be disbanding permanently following their concert commitments.In 1996, a second Level 42 live album, Live At Wembley, was released, featuring a 1988 concert from the Staring At The Sun line-up of King, Lindup, Husband and Murphy.
1996–2000: Mark King's solo years
In 1996, Mark King signed to Virgin Records and released a solo single "Bitter Moon" (Lyndon Connah, who played with Level 42 at the Hammersmith Odeon live shows in 1990, played keyboards on the track). This was followed up by his second solo album One ManOne Man (album)
One Man is a studio album released in 1996 by the singer and song-writer Mark King, bassist and vocalist of the British musical group Level 42...
(featuring lyrics by Boon Gould). The album was not a big commercial success. King has subsequently expressed an unwillingness to get involved in record industry politics again after his experience with Virgin Records .
King later toured as a solo act, playing his own new compositions and some Level 42 favourites. In 1999, he played some shows at the Jazz Cafe in London under the name of "The Mark King Group." This was of notable interest to Level 42 fans as the band included former Level 42 members – drummer Gary Husband
Gary Husband
Gary Husband is a British jazz and rock drummer, pianist and composer.- Short biography:Gary Husband is an English jazz and rock drummer, pianist and composer...
and guitarist Jakko Jakszyk
Jakko Jakszyk
Jakko M. Jakszyk is an English guitarist, singer-songwriter , multi-instrumentalist and producer...
– as well as second guitarist Nathan King
Nathan King (musician)
Nathan King is a guitarist, bass player and singer, and has been a member of Level 42 since 1998. He is also currently working with Frost* and It Bites.-References:...
(Mark King's younger brother) and Lyndon Connah on keyboards. Over the next couple of years King toured with his new band (sometimes called "Grupo Mark King"), although Jakszyk left the band after the Jazz Cafe shows and the line-up was augmented by saxophone player Sean Freeman.
In August 1999, three-quarters of the original Level 42 line-up reunited for a private show. Phil Gould invited some musician friends to play at a party, including his brother Boon and Mike Lindup. In 2001, Mark King, Mike Lindup and Phil Gould played together (at Lindup's wedding) for the first time in ten years. This led to a tentative get-together of the original line-up along with Wally Badarou, to work on a new studio album only. However, the reformation was short-lived and the sessions were abandoned.
2001–2005: Reunion (sixth line-up)
Increasingly, Mark King and his band were playing more and more Level 42 tracks at their live shows. In late 2001, King came to a business agreement with Mike Lindup and bought the rights to the name Level 42. Although Lindup agreed to play on future albums, he did not want to tour. King announced the new line-up of Level 42 as himself, Gary Husband on drums, Nathan King on guitar, Lyndon Connah on keyboards and Sean Freeman on saxophone. (In effect, King was relaunching his solo band under his old band's name.)On 12 July 2002, Mark King, along with Lyndon J Connah (keyboards), Nathan King (guitar), Sean Freeman (saxophone) and Gary Husband (drums), played one of their first proper date, under the name of Level 42, at The Circus Tavern, in Purfleet Essex.
It is believed that, the owner of the venue, Aaron Stone, personally sponsored and set up the gig, due to his own personal love of the band's music.
On 13 February 2005, Level 42 played a historic date at The Forum in London. For the first time since 14 October 1994 at The Royal Albert Hall, Mike Lindup joined the band on stage.
2005 saw a burst of reissue activity. In March, two classic-era Rockpalast shows from 1983 and 1984 were released on DVD, and in April a show from 1983 recorded in Scotland was released on CD as The River Sessions". In June, The Ultimate Collection II was released (including a brand new song called "Genius Of Love" – this was in fact a Level 42 tribute/collaboration by Italian-American dance producer Hardage, featuring Mark King on vocals and incorporating a sample of the Level 42 track "I Want Eyes").
2006–present day: Retroglide and return of Mike Lindup
A new album, RetroglideRetroglide (album)
Retroglide is a studio album by the British rock/pop/fusion group Level 42. It was released 12 years after their previous album and reached the UK Top 80. It is a mix of electronica with Level 42's traditional blend of funk and pop...
was announced in February 2006. The album was chiefly recorded and produced by King at his home studio, with Gary Husband, Lyndon Connah, Sean Freeman and Nathan King all contributing. (For Husband, this was his first Level 42 studio album since 1991's Guaranteed.) Retroglide also featured input from past Level 42 members. Mike Lindup added keyboards and vocals to many tracks, and Boon Gould co-wrote most of the album with King as well as contributing a guitar solo on the track "Ship." Although Phil Gould
Phil Gould (musician)
Philip Gabriel Gould, also known as Phil Gould is a British professional drummer, song writer, and singer from the Isle of Wight in southern England...
is uncredited on the album, the track "Ship" is the first song since 1986 worked on by all four original members, as Phil originally arranged the track with his brother Boon. However, Retroglide was also the first Level 42 album not to feature any contributions from Wally Badarou
Wally Badarou
Wally Badarou is a musician from Benin.-Biography:A synthesiser specialist, Badarou was the longtime associate of the British band Level 42, known for its blend of funk, pop, soul and rock...
.
The album was promoted via a supporting tour throughout the UK, Netherlands, Germany and some other European countries, scheduled for October 2006. In May 2006, Level 42 announced that Mike Lindup
Mike Lindup
Mike Lindup is best known as the keyboard player and falsetto voiced singer, who joined with Mark King and brothers Phil and Boon Gould to form the 1980s - 1990s British funk/rock/pop band, Level 42....
would return full-time to replace Lyndon Connah on keyboards. (Connah went on to play keyboards with a revived Go West, as well as continuing work with his own band 3 Blind Mice.) On Sunday 26 August 2007, Level 42 played an outdoor gig at the Arundel Festival in West Sussex. Set in the grounds of the ancient Arundel Castle, in the village of the same name, the performance had a number of unexpected changes to the setlist. "Running in the Family," a top 10 hit from 1987, was the second song in the set for the first time ever. The track usually appeared towards the end of the show in a medley of the band's most successful singles, which King affectionately refers to as "a string of knackered old hits." The concert was Level 42's only UK show of 2007.
In 2008, Universal Music was set to reissue Running in the Family in the label's 'Deluxe Edition' format, which takes a single disc album and turns it into a double disc package with previously unreleased bonus material. Extended reissues of the Standing in the Light
Standing in the Light
Standing in the Light is the fourth studio album released by the British jazz-funk band Level 42. The album, released in 1983, generated the group's first top 10 in the UK album charts, peaking in #9...
, True Colours
True Colours (Level 42 album)
True Colours is the fifth studio album by the British musical group Level 42, released in 1984. Beyond the band's native United Kingdom, the album was released 10-plus other countries, including Japan, Germany and United States of America...
and Staring at the Sun
Staring at the Sun (Level 42 album)
Staring at the Sun is the eighth studio album released by the British pop band Level 42, in 1988. Produced by Level 42, Wally Badarou and Julian Mendelsohn. Recorded at Miraval, France. Engineered and mixed by Julian Mendelsohn. Engineer's assistant - Jean Lamoot. Mastered at The Townhouse by Kevin...
albums were scheduled for release at the same time. As of September 2009, all four have yet to be released. Previously, Universal had reissued World Machine
World Machine
World Machine is the sixth studio album by the British pop group Level 42, released in 1985. It peaked at #3 on the UK album charts, and it stayed on the chart for 72 weeks. It was the band's first disc to enter the Billboard 200 , and it stayed on the chart for 36 weeks...
in the 'Deluxe Edition' format, along with single disc reissues of Level 42, Strategy
Strategy (album)
Originally intended to be released by Elite Records and titled Strategy, The Early Tapes is the second album released, but first to be recorded, by the British group Level 42. The band subsequently signed to Polydor, who bought the masters from Elite and issued it in March 1982...
, and The Pursuit of Accidents
The Pursuit of Accidents
The Pursuit of Accidents is the third studio album released by the jazz/funk British musical group Level 42, in 1982. It was issued on CD in 1985. It was re-issued on CD in 2000 as part of a two disc set with the album "Standing In The Light", and again in 2007 as a stand alone disc. The album...
. A new twenty date Level 42 UK tour was announced by the band on 16 January 2008.
Future plans
Both King and Lindup have been quoted (King in the magazine Record Collector, Lindup at level42.com) saying they are considering releasing a new studio album. This would possibly consist of new acousticAcoustic music
Acoustic music comprises music that solely or primarily uses instruments which produce sound through entirely acoustic means, as opposed to electric or electronic means...
versions of Level 42 songs, following the band's success in performing acoustic shows on various European radio shows in 2006 while promoting Retroglide. Two notable points in these live radio performances were King singing and playing acoustic guitar (along with his brother Nathan), instead of his trademark bass playing, with both Lindup and Husband performing on acoustic pianos. This possible "acoustic" album was also mentioned in syndicated radio interviews. The band is contracted to deliver a further two albums to Universal Music subsidiary W14 Music, as part of a Distribution deal signed prior to the release of Retroglide in 2006.
UPDATE: Mark is quoted in April 2010 Bass Musician Magazine thus:
"...There should be five brand new songs on an EP that will be packaged with a "Running In The Family" Deluxe edition in time for our October tour in Europe. So a September release would be my guess and it's all good funk. But in the meantime, I'm working on some acoustic interpretations of a few of our songs from over the years that will be included in the 30th Anniversary 4-CD set that Universal Music are putting together right now for a summer release."
Level 42 is including some dates in the U.S. in late July 2010 as part of their 30th anniversary tour. See Level42.com for details.
Current members
The Level 42 line-up has stayed consistent since 2006, when Mike Lindup returned to the position of full-time keyboard player.- Mark KingMark King (musician)Mark King is an English musician. He is most famous for being the lead singer and bassist of the band, Level 42. In the early 1980s King popularized the 1970s-era slap and pop style for playing the bass guitar by incorporating it into pop music.-Early life:King was brought up on the Isle of Wight,...
: Bass, Vocals (1980–1994, 2001–present) - Mike LindupMike LindupMike Lindup is best known as the keyboard player and falsetto voiced singer, who joined with Mark King and brothers Phil and Boon Gould to form the 1980s - 1990s British funk/rock/pop band, Level 42....
: Keyboards,Vocals (1980–1994; 2006–present) - Gary HusbandGary HusbandGary Husband is a British jazz and rock drummer, pianist and composer.- Short biography:Gary Husband is an English jazz and rock drummer, pianist and composer...
: Drums (1987–1993; 2001–present) - Nathan KingNathan King (musician)Nathan King is a guitarist, bass player and singer, and has been a member of Level 42 since 1998. He is also currently working with Frost* and It Bites.-References:...
: Guitars (2001–present) - Sean Freeman: Saxophone (2001–present)
- Pete Ray Biggin: Drums (2010 – depping for Gary Husband)
During 2010, Gary Husband did not tour with the band due to prior commitments with John McLaughlin
John McLaughlin (musician)
John McLaughlin , also known as Mahavishnu John McLaughlin, is an English guitarist, bandleader and composer...
, and has commented that he is unlikely to play on future Level 42 tours, although he has not formally stated whether or not he has left the band.
Former members
- Boon GouldRowland Charles GouldRowland Charles Gould known as Boon Gould, is an English musician and one of the four founding members of Level 42. He is known for his high-calibre musicianship and "throw away" guitar playing technique. Boon is often cited as one of the most underrated guitarists of all time...
: Guitars (1980–1987)1 — left due to ill health,and being unhappy with the musical direction but continues to write with Mark King - Phil GouldPhil Gould (musician)Philip Gabriel Gould, also known as Phil Gould is a British professional drummer, song writer, and singer from the Isle of Wight in southern England...
: Drums (1980–1987; 1994) — left due to ill health and being unhappy with the musical direction, but returned in the studio for one final album, 1994's Forever Now - Alan MurphyAlan MurphyAlan Murphy was an English rock session guitarist, best remembered for his collaborations with Kate Bush and Go West. In 1988 he joined the group Level 42 as a full time band member, and played with them until his death in 1989...
: Guitars (1988–1989) — replaced Boon Gould, but became ill and died of AIDS-related pneumonia a year after joining.
Former touring members
- Krys Mach: Saxophone (1984–1988) – toured and recorded with the band until 1988.
- Gary BarnacleGary BarnacleGary Barnacle is a saxophonist/flautist, brass instrument arranger, composer and producer, primarily noted for session work, live work Gary Barnacle (born 1959, Dover, England) is a saxophonist/flautist, brass instrument arranger, composer and producer, primarily noted for session work, live work...
: Saxophone (1981 and 1990–1994) — toured and recorded with the band until 1994. - Johnny Thirkell: Trumpet (1990–1994) — toured and recorded with the band until 1994.
- Allan HoldsworthAllan HoldsworthAllan Holdsworth is an English guitarist and composer. He has released twelve studio albums as a solo artist and played many different styles of music over a period of four decades, but first drew attention for his work in jazz fusion...
: Guitars (1990) — filled in for the deceased Alan Murphy at The 1990 Hammersmith Odeon Shows (Holdsworth was Murphy's hero) - Jakko JakszykJakko JakszykJakko M. Jakszyk is an English guitarist, singer-songwriter , multi-instrumentalist and producer...
: Guitars (1991–1993; 1994) — toured with the band until they originally stopped working together in 1994 - Gavin HarrisonGavin HarrisonGavin Harrison is a British drummer and percussionist. He is best known for playing with the British progressive rock band Porcupine Tree which he joined in 2002. As of 2008, he also plays with the band King Crimson....
: Drums ( 1994) — toured with the band until they originally stopped working together in 1994 - Lyndon Connah: Keyboards (1990 and 2001–2005) — toured with the band at The Hammersmith Odeon Shows in 1990 and filled in for Mike Lindup from 2001 until he returned to the band in 2006.
1 Boon subsequently wrote lyrics for the albums: Staring at the Sun
Staring at the Sun (Level 42 album)
Staring at the Sun is the eighth studio album released by the British pop band Level 42, in 1988. Produced by Level 42, Wally Badarou and Julian Mendelsohn. Recorded at Miraval, France. Engineered and mixed by Julian Mendelsohn. Engineer's assistant - Jean Lamoot. Mastered at The Townhouse by Kevin...
(1988) and 2006's Retroglide
Retroglide (album)
Retroglide is a studio album by the British rock/pop/fusion group Level 42. It was released 12 years after their previous album and reached the UK Top 80. It is a mix of electronica with Level 42's traditional blend of funk and pop...
. He also played a guitar solo on the track "Ship", which was originally his composition, which was added to by King.
Original formation
The original formation stayed intact during the period of 1980 up to 1987.- Mark KingMark King (musician)Mark King is an English musician. He is most famous for being the lead singer and bassist of the band, Level 42. In the early 1980s King popularized the 1970s-era slap and pop style for playing the bass guitar by incorporating it into pop music.-Early life:King was brought up on the Isle of Wight,...
: Bass, Vocals - Mike LindupMike LindupMike Lindup is best known as the keyboard player and falsetto voiced singer, who joined with Mark King and brothers Phil and Boon Gould to form the 1980s - 1990s British funk/rock/pop band, Level 42....
: Keyboards, Vocals - Rowland "Boon" GouldRowland Charles GouldRowland Charles Gould known as Boon Gould, is an English musician and one of the four founding members of Level 42. He is known for his high-calibre musicianship and "throw away" guitar playing technique. Boon is often cited as one of the most underrated guitarists of all time...
: Guitars - Phil GouldPhil Gould (musician)Philip Gabriel Gould, also known as Phil Gould is a British professional drummer, song writer, and singer from the Isle of Wight in southern England...
: Drums
Origins of the name
The origin of the band's name has been variously described as being inspired by a sign in a liftElevator
An elevator is a type of vertical transport equipment that efficiently moves people or goods between floors of a building, vessel or other structures...
in a very tall building in the US; the top level of the biggest car-park in the world, in Japan; the floor on which Jonathan Pryce
Jonathan Pryce
Jonathan Pryce, CBE is a Welsh stage and film actor and singer. After studying at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art and meeting his longtime partner English actress Kate Fahy in 1974, he began his career as a stage actor in the 1970s...
's character resides in the film Brazil
Brazil (film)
Brazil is a 1985 British science fiction fantasy/black comedy film directed by Terry Gilliam. It was written by Gilliam, Charles McKeown, and Tom Stoppard and stars Jonathan Pryce. The film also features Robert De Niro, Kim Greist, Michael Palin, Katherine Helmond, Bob Hoskins, and Ian Holm...
(which was released long after the band gained international recognition); or after Tower 42
Tower 42
Tower 42 is the second tallest skyscraper in the City of London and the fifth tallest in London overall. The original name was the National Westminster Tower, having been built to house the National Westminster Bank's International Division. Seen from above, the tower closely resembles the NatWest...
(also known as the NatWest Tower) formerly the tallest building in the City of London
City of London
The City of London is a small area within Greater London, England. It is the historic core of London around which the modern conurbation grew and has held city status since time immemorial. The City’s boundaries have remained almost unchanged since the Middle Ages, and it is now only a tiny part of...
.
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy explanation
King and Boon Gould decided the band should be called simply by a number, and they both favoured '88' – the number of the bus they used to catch to the recording studio. However, Lindup and Phil Gould saw a poster for a band called Rocket 88Rocket 88 (band)
Rocket 88 is the name of a United Kingdom-based boogie-woogie band formed in the late 1970s by Ian "Stu" Stewart, Charlie Watts, Alexis Korner and Dick Morrissey....
so their idea was abandoned (although '88' was later used as a song title). King and Gould both claim to have been reading Douglas Adams
Douglas Adams
Douglas Noel Adams was an English writer and dramatist. He is best known as the author of The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, which started life in 1978 as a BBC radio comedy before developing into a "trilogy" of five books that sold over 15 million copies in his lifetime, a television...
' comical science fiction novel, The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy is a science fiction comedy series created by Douglas Adams. Originally a radio comedy broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 1978, it was later adapted to other formats, and over several years it gradually became an international multi-media phenomenon...
wherein the Answer to The Ultimate Question of Life, the Universe, and Everything, is '42
42 (disambiguation)
42 or forty-two may mean:*42 , a number, numeral, and glyph*42 , a trick-taking game played with a standard set of double six dominoes*The year AD 42*The year 42 BC-Popular culture:...
'. Therefore '42' was suggested as a name for the band.
It should be noted that their then producer, Andy Sojka (now deceased), similarly claimed to have been reading the book, and claimed to have put forward the number as a suggested band name. It is known therefore, that the use of the number '42' in the band name came from either King, Boon Gould, or Sojka. The appendage of the word 'Level' is claimed to have been from either Sojka's lawyer, or John Gould's (the third brother and band manager) lawyer.
Other names discussed
Other names considered for the band were 'Powerline' and 'Kick in the Head'. 'Powerline' was rejected and given to another of Sojka's groups, and it was on a white label promotional record numbered 'DAZZ 4' that the words 'Level 42' first appeared. The band providing the B-side—a track called "Sandstorm" (a track which they also wanted to call "Kick in the Head"). The A side was provided by 'Powerline'.'Kick In The Head' was finally used by the band as a working title for the song "A Floating Life" on their True Colours album. The lyric features in the song.
Three further songs (all instrumentals) were 'numbered' by the band: '43', '88' and the B-side 'Forty-two'.
Studio albums
- Level 42 (1981)
- Strategy – The Early TapesStrategy (album)Originally intended to be released by Elite Records and titled Strategy, The Early Tapes is the second album released, but first to be recorded, by the British group Level 42. The band subsequently signed to Polydor, who bought the masters from Elite and issued it in March 1982...
(1982) - The Pursuit of AccidentsThe Pursuit of AccidentsThe Pursuit of Accidents is the third studio album released by the jazz/funk British musical group Level 42, in 1982. It was issued on CD in 1985. It was re-issued on CD in 2000 as part of a two disc set with the album "Standing In The Light", and again in 2007 as a stand alone disc. The album...
(1982) - Standing in the LightStanding in the LightStanding in the Light is the fourth studio album released by the British jazz-funk band Level 42. The album, released in 1983, generated the group's first top 10 in the UK album charts, peaking in #9...
(1983) - True ColoursTrue Colours (Level 42 album)True Colours is the fifth studio album by the British musical group Level 42, released in 1984. Beyond the band's native United Kingdom, the album was released 10-plus other countries, including Japan, Germany and United States of America...
(1984) - World MachineWorld MachineWorld Machine is the sixth studio album by the British pop group Level 42, released in 1985. It peaked at #3 on the UK album charts, and it stayed on the chart for 72 weeks. It was the band's first disc to enter the Billboard 200 , and it stayed on the chart for 36 weeks...
(1985) - Running in the FamilyRunning in the FamilyRunning in the Family was the seventh album from Level 42, released in 1987. It featured the UK hit singles: "Lessons in Love" , "Running in the Family" , "To Be With You Again" , "It's Over" and "Children Say"...
(1987) - Staring at the SunStaring at the Sun (Level 42 album)Staring at the Sun is the eighth studio album released by the British pop band Level 42, in 1988. Produced by Level 42, Wally Badarou and Julian Mendelsohn. Recorded at Miraval, France. Engineered and mixed by Julian Mendelsohn. Engineer's assistant - Jean Lamoot. Mastered at The Townhouse by Kevin...
(1988) - GuaranteedGuaranteed (Level 42 album)Guaranteed is the ninth studio album by the British musical group Level 42, released in 1991, their first album of the 1990s. The album was released by RCA records and it was the first Level 42 studio album released by a label other than Polydor....
(1991) - Forever Now (1994)
- Retroglide (2006)
Top 40 singles
Between 1980 and 1994, Level 42 had a total of 30 Singles in the UK charts. The following 20 singles reached the Top 40 of the UK Singles ChartUK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
:
"Love Games
Love Games
Love Games is the first single from the first album of the English musical group Level 42. It was also their first single to enter the UK charts and marked their first appearance on Top of the Pops.-Tracks:*Original Release:...
" (1981) – #38
"The Chinese Way
The Chinese Way
The Chinese Way is a single by the UK band Level 42. It was the second single from their album, The Pursuit of Accidents, which was the band's most successful album up to that time...
" (1983) – #24
"The Sun Goes Down (Living It Up)
The Sun Goes Down (Living It Up)
"The Sun Goes Down " is a single released in 1983 by the musical group Level 42. It is one of the few songs by the group which featured Mike Lindup on lead vocals...
" (1983) – #10
"Micro Kid" (1983) – #37
"Hot Water
Hot Water (song)
"Hot Water" is a single released in 1984 by the United Kingdom musical group Level 42. It was released a couple of weeks before the album True Colours. The single reached #18 on the UK Singles Chart and was a top ten hit in the Netherlands and Norway...
" (1984) – #18
"Something About You
Something About You (Level 42 song)
"Something About You" is a single released by British Jazz funk band Level 42 in 1985, in advance of its inclusion on the album World Machine the same year...
" (1985) – #6
"Leaving Me Now
Leaving Me Now
"Leaving Me Now" is a single released in 1985 by the British musical group Level 42. It was the second single taken from their sixth studio album World Machine. The song is written by Mark King, Phil Gould and Wally Badarou. The song contains a piano riff by Wally Badarou.The single's cover art is...
" (1985) – #15
"Lessons in Love" (1986) – #3
"Running in the Family
Running in the Family (song)
"Running in the Family" is a single released in 1987 by the UK band Level 42, from the album Running in the Family. The song had different lyrics when sung at the Wembley Arena in 1986. . It was then popped up for the release of the single which had significant success, reaching #6 on the UK...
" (1987) – #6
"To Be With You Again
To Be With You Again
"To Be With You Again" is a United Kingdom top 10 song written by Mark King and Boon Gould, and released in 1987 in the seventh Level 42's studio album Running in the Family...
" (1987) – #10
"It's Over
It's Over (Level 42 song)
"It's Over" is one of five singles from band Level 42's 1987 album Running in the Family. Reaching #10 in the UK music charts the same year, it is one of the band's more popular singles and remains one of the songs they perform live.-Music video:...
" (1987) – #10
"Children Say
Children Say
"Children Say" is a song written by Mark King, Mike Lindup and Phil Gould. It was recorded in 1987 for the studio album Running in the Family by the British musical group Level 42. After a series of successes "Lessons in Love", "Running in the Family", "To be With You Again" and "It's Over", the...
" (1987) – #22
"Heaven in My Hands
Heaven in My Hands
"Heaven in My Hands" is a song by the British group Level 42. It was released as a single in 1988, from the album Staring at the Sun.It reached number 12 in the UK charts upon release in 1988, and was the first single not to feature the Gould brothers, Boon and Phil, following their departure the...
" (1988) – #12
"Take a Look
Take a Look (song)
Take a Look, is a single released in 1988 by British band Level 42 from the album Staring at the Sun. It reached #32 on the UK Singles Chart.-Personnel:Mark King - Bass/VocalsMike Lindup - Keyboards/VocalsGary Husband - DrumsAlan Murphy - Guitars...
" (1988) – #32
"Tracie
Tracie (song)
"Tracie" is a song by British band Level 42, written by then-current bandmembers Gary Husband and Mark King. It appeared on the band's 1988 studio album Staring at the Sun. The song features great work from frontman Mark King on bass, and it also features keyboardist Mike Lindup playing harmonica...
" (1989) – #25
"Take Care of Yourself
Take Care of Yourself
"Take Care Of Yourself" is a song released by the British pop/jazz-funk group Level 42 in 1989. The song was released on the compilation Level Best. It was the last song recorded with guitarist Alan Murphy in the band, who died on October 19, 1989 of AIDS...
" (1989) – #39
"Guaranteed" (1991) – #17
"Forever Now" (1994) – #19
"All Over You
All Over You
All Over You is a song written by Mark King, Mike Lindup, Phil Gould and released in 1994 by the British musical group Level 42, in the last studio album of the decade Forever Now...
" (1994) – #26
"Love In A Peaceful World
Love in a Peaceful World
"Love in a Peaceful World" is an United Kingdom hit, released in 1994 in the final decade studio album "Forever Now" by the British musical group Level 42....
" (1994) – #31