Level 42

The Early Tapes

The Pursuit Of Accidents

Standing In The Light

True Colours

A Physical Presence

World Machine

Running In The Family

Platinum Edition

Staring At The Sun

Level Best

Guaranteed

Forever Now

Forever Now (Resurgence)

Live At Wembley

The Very Best Of Level 42

Level 42 & The Early Tapes Re-issues

The Pursuit Of Accidents & Standing In The Light Re-issues

A Physical Presence Re-issue

True Colours & World Machine Re-issues

Running In The Family & Staring At The Sun Re-issues


" Level 42" (Polydor Records)
Level 42
Release Date: August 1981
Format: Catelog #
LP: POLS 1036
Cassette: POLSC 1036
Compact Disc: 821 935-2 (Released in July 1984)

More Detailed info:

Credits/Notes
© 1981 Polydor Limited (London)

Album Notes:
Mark King - Bass, Vocals, Percussion
Mike Lindup - Minimoog, Acoustic and Electric Pianos, Vocals, Percussion
Philip Gould - Drums, Glockenspiel, Timbales, Backing Vocals, Percussion
Boon Gould - Guitars
Also featuring:
Wally Badarou - Prophet 5, Korg Polyphonic, Minimoog, Vocalising (Courtesy Barclay Records)
With Guest Musicians:
Leroy Williams - Congas, Bongos, Percussion (Courtesy EMI Records)
Gary Barnacle - Electric Sax Solo on "Heathrow"
Dave Chambers - Tenor Sax Solo on "Why Are You Leaving"

Level 42 would like to thank Mike Vernon and Dick Plant for their good humour and expertise, Paul Barry for the fruit salad! Gregg Jackman, John Rule and Richard Lengyel, Joy Barling for the illustration, Pip Williams for the "Supermouse," JG., Ms Smithers and Absolute Music, our families for their love and support, and finally many thanks to all the people who helped us on our way and made this all possible.

Produced by Mike Vernon for Handle Artists. A Brand New Production. Recorded at Vineyard and Chipping Norton Studios. Recording Engineer: Dick Plant. Additional Overdubs at RAK Studios. Mixed at Red Bus Studios.

Chart Performance

UK US Japan
#20 (18 weeks on chart) Not released Not known
Track Song Title Version Writers Length
1 Turn It On* (W.Badarou/M.King/P.Gould/R.Gould) 4:40
2 "43" (M.King) 7:02
3 Why Are You Leaving? (M.Lindup/P.Gould) 4:34
4 Almost There (M.King/P.Gould/R.Gould) 5:42
5 Heathrow (W.Badarou) 4:43
6 Love Games* (M.King/P.Gould) 5:13
7 Dune Tune (M.King) 4:50
8 Starchild* (W.Badarou/M.King/P.Gould) 5:57

* These tracks were replaced with the following versions on the CD release:

1 Turn It On Extended Version (W.Badarou/M.King/P.Gould/R.Gould) 5:36
6 Love Games Extended Version (M.King/P.Gould) 7:25
8 Starchild Extended Version (W.Badarou/M.King/P.Gould) 6:52
Reviews

  • That half of Level 42 have had formal musical training is hardly a bad thing. It's just that their conformity is at times rather stringent, with the result that spontaneity suffers. 'Love Games' is by far the most endearing track on the album - warm and infectious, it was out as a single last March - something that you might recognise without being able to put a name to it. Within the losse jazz-funk context, Level 42 often replace the more common use of saxophone with various keyboards. Although successful on 'Love Games', it otherwise adds to the overall unimposing 'background' quality of their music.

    The three instrumental tracks indicate that the group's real talent lies in composing incidental music and theme tunes. '43' and 'Heathrow' are exactly the kind of thing to introduce, say, a holiday programme; jet taking off, a heat haze on the runway; switch to blue skies and tanned bodies on sun-kissed beaches... 'Dune Tune' would be perfect on countless TV movies.

    From their name (number '42' is so completely unsignificant and uninteresting) to the sleeve artwork (gradual shades of blue and yellow with an unknown figure in the foreground) - it's all vague, without being intriguing; there's a total lack of demand. And that is precisely where the music fails in an orthodox L.P. form: it's just not suitably captivating - there's no vital spark. A dull, quiet music for contentment. Kirsty McNeil - NME August 29th 1981.


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