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

" The Pursuit Of Accidents" (Polydor Records)
The Pursuit Of Accidents
Release Date: September 1982
Format: Catelog #
LP: POLD 5067
Cassette: POLDC 5067
Compact Disc: 810 015-2 (Released in June 1985)

More Detailed info:
Credits/Notes
© 1982 Polydor Limited (London)

Album Notes:
Mark King - Vocals, Bass Guitar, Keyboard Additions, Percussion
Mike Lindup - Vocals, Prophet 5, Minimoog, Acoustic and Electric Pianos, Percussion
Phil Gould - Drums, Percussion, Roland Rhythm Composer, Backing Vocals
Boon Gould - Guitars
Special Guest:
Wally Badarou - Prophet 5, Solina String Ensemble (Courtesy of Island Records)
Pete Wingfield - Clarinet on "Are You Hearing (What I Hear)?"
Pete Jacobson - Jupiter 4 on "Last Chance"

All arrangements by Level 42 except Shapeshifter by M.King/P.Gould
Recorded at Eden, Battery, Vineyard, Basing Street, Chipping Norton, Red Bus and Maison Rouge Studios
Mixed at Red Bus, Maison Rouge and Livingston Studios
Engineer: Jerry Boys
"Last Chance", "Are You Hearing (What I Hear)?" recorded by Dick Plant
Rhythm track to "The Pursuit Of Accidents" recorded by Nick Laurnay
Produced by Mike Vernon for Handle Artists
Photography by Jay Myrdal
Cover by Alwyn Clayden/Bruce Gill

Level 42 would like to thank Mike Vernon and Jerry Boys for presevering, Dick Plant, Nick Laurnay, Dave Bascombe and Gordon Milne for their skills. Pip Williams for the fabulous Supermouse, Joy Barling for the beautiful watercolour, J.D. for his great basses, Pia and Joy, our manager John and Sarah for believing, everybody at Polydor for their unwavering support, all our friends who made this past year a special time - thank you for the thrill of it all!
A very special thanks to Wally for his brilliant contribution to this recording.

Chart Performance

UK US Japan
#17 (16 weeks on chart) Not known Not known
Track Song Title Version Writers Length
1 Weave Your Spell (M.Lindup/M.King/P.Gould) 5:30
2 The Pursuit Of Accidents (W.Badarou/M.King/M.Lindup/P.Gould) 7:44
3 Last Chance (P.Gould/M.King/M.Lindup) 4:30
4 Are You Hearing (What I Hear)? (M.King/P.Gould/R.Gould) 4:58
5 You Can't Blame Louis (M.King/P.Gould/W.Badarou) 5:05
6 Eyes Waterfalling (M.King/P.Gould/M.Lindup/R.Gould) 5:58
7 Shapeshifter (M.King) 5:09
8 The Chinese Way (M.King/P.Gould/W.Badarou) 5:53
9 The Chinese Way* (Extended John Luongo Remix) (M.King/P.Gould/W.Badarou) 7:23
10 You Can't Blame Louis* (Extended Remix) (M.King/P.Gould/W.Badarou) 6:14

* Only available on the CD release:

Reviews

  • How things progress in this unpredictable world of ours! Many would have assumed in days gone by that the release of a Level 42 album would never stand the chance of going straight into the pop LP charts. This band have not only broken that barrier, they have now surpassed all predictability. "The Pursuit Of Accidents" entered our national popularity tables at the stunning 21 position, heading upwards the very next week.

    Taking into account the nature of the music they produce, it's even more surprising. The band have matured through success conquering a major part of Europe, they now look set to impress the USA.

    With "The Pursuit Of Accidents" they even look good - a petty beef I have had for some time. The set contains both dancefloor and headphone material and a small plot of land in between called 'gas yourself avenue'.

    "You Can't Blame Louis" and "Weave Your Spell" both stomp their way through catchy chorus and intelligent verse, but the 'piece de resistance' has to be the title track, an ingenious execution of the bands own roots and influences - it's Herbie Hancock in the early seventies. It's modern electric fusion pushed to the extremes of feasibility. The bass line, now a trade mark (terrible puns!) of the band, lays down a solid foundation whilst the attack of the drum kit is quite extraordinary. Session man Badarou and keyboardist Lindup exchange a parry of keyboards that would put Jimmy Connors to shame.

    There is really very little point adding anything else - it's all there on record! If you want to find out how young people in Britain are expressing jazz-fusion, you must buy " The Pursuit Of Accidents". It's a tremendously enjoyable forty minutes. (Rating:8 by PT) Blues & Soul No.366 - October 5th 1982. (Rating:7 by MW) Blues & Soul No.355 - May 1982.



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