Level 42 - The Early Years - The Jazz Funk or Brit Funk Years.

Mark King and The brothers known as the Gould brothers (Phil and Rowland), were all brought up on the Isle of Wight and all 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 and tastes with artists like Miles Davis, John McLaughlin, Keith Jarrett, and Jan Hammer.

Mark King, eventually became the band's lead singer and bass player and took up the slap and pop style created by artists like Larry Graham and  Stanley Clarke and developed his own sound.

The band's self-titled album and bought fourth tracks like  'Turn it on and 'Love Games' were unique. They produced three albums that were associated with the Brit Funk/Jazz Funk movement that was: 'Level 42', 'The Early Tapes' (released a few years later following their rising success), and 'The Pursuit of Accidents.

I will always remember the single called “Love Games” by Level 42 and seeing them for the first time on the British Music show called  "Top Of The Pops, and just falling in love with them. (23/04/1981)

The very first time I heard the single as a whole was when I heard the single on the radio show called   “Boogie Down with Dave Brown” Radio show during April 1981

The Dave Brown Radio show could be heard on Saturday evenings from 18:00 to 20:00 and was the best show to listen to if you were based in the county area of England called Suffolk.

The Dave Brown Radio show  that was presented played the latest soul, funk, jazz, Brit funk, and disco hits from that period of time (1979 to 1985)

However, if you missed that show on the same day you were spoiled for choice as you could listen to the ROBBIE VINCENT SHOWthat played the latest soul, funk, Brit-funk, import Japanese Jazz, and Brazil Jazz Funk tunes as well.

However, if you were based in the city of London, you spoiled even further due to the huge net of  Pirate Radio stations playing this music as well.

Level 42 I am sure would have been played on that show. I am sure of it.

That single went down well with the Jazz-Funk / Soul Fans at the time wherever you were based in the UK.

For me It was their 2^nd single release from the group that finally got me to buy material, or should I say vinyl from the band. At first, I bought the single called “Turn it On” as a 12-inch single.

I loved the single so much that I bought the debut album from the group. I also loved the track called “Why are you leaving as Well”. And finally Star Child. A lot of people seem to like "

One person that I need to mention and I nearly forgot was the inclusion of the musician known as Wally Badarou. He is/was just an important member of the band who helped to develop its  Jazz/Funk and Brit Funk sound.

Wally himself is asynthesizer specialist and was a long-time associate of  Level 42 He has co-written and performed on a number of the band's tracks since their recording début in 1980, and go on to later co-producing them.

On listening to the album I just fell in love with the single from the album called “43”. It is an instrument track but I loved the wonderful musicianship that created that single.

The group's last and official release from that album was  “Star Child" - which a lot of musicians at the time loved from where I was based here in Ipswich Town, England.

News that Level 42 was to play at the Regent Theatre here in Ipswich Town, England during October 1981 was just the ticket. This was because of the Jazz-Funk/Brit Funk craze that was happening within England at the time. And Level 42 fitted right into that craze.

I managed to eventually get a ticket for the show. I have to say it was a brilliant show I have to say. All the group pulled out the stops providing a really entertaining show.

Mark King and the rest of the group cracked a few jokes during the concert to the Ipswich Crowd that endeared them even more.

Here below are the details of the album that was released in July 1981.

Level 42 debut album (called Level 42)  was released in July 1981 by the British group Level 42

1. "Turn It On" (Badarou, Gould, King) – 4:42
2. "43" (King) – 7:04
3. "Why Are You Leaving?" (Gould, Lindup) – 4:36
4. "Almost There" (Gould, Gould, King) – 5:45
5. "Heathrow" (Badarou) – 4:43
6. "Love Games" (Gould, King) – 5:20
7. "Dune Tune" (King) – 4:52
8. "Starchild" (Badarou, Gould, King) – 5:58

The album is still best known for the track "Love Games", which became a successful jazz–funk, and dancefloor hit for the band (reaching number 38 on the UK pop charts). 

The second single, "Turn it On", was released in the United Kingdom, Spain, France, and Canada. This single peaked at 47 in the UK singles charts.

The third single, "Starchild", has been released in six countries beyond the United Kingdom (peak position: 57), including the United States of America, where it entered the Club Play Singles at 60. 

I couldn’t believe it as we were being told that the group was to bring out another album within (1982). This time this album was to be released on the Polydor label to whom they were signed.

Polydor capitalized on the band's success by releasing a second album, called The Early Tapes. Which they had released originally on the label called  Elite Records. Polydor bought the masters from  Polydor.

 

1. "Sandstorm" (Badarou, King) – 4:41
2. "Love Meeting Love" (Gould, King) – 6:24
3. "Theme to Margaret" (King) – 3:59
4. "Autumn (Paradise Is Free)" (King) – 4:45
5. "Wings of Love" (Badarou, Gould, Gould, King) – 6:58
6. "Woman" (Lindup) – 4:38
7. "Mr. Pink" (Badarou, King) – 5:08
8. "88" (King) – 5:11

I still have these albums at home with me via the loft area of my home. I know that I haven’t played them in years from start to finish.

But that will change in a couple of days I am hoping to pull them out of the loft area and play them on my record player.

Just as we thought that would be it in regards to other releases from the band. We were treated with another release that came out in the year of 1982.

And this album was up to scratch with the other two releases mentioned above. The album was to be called  The Pursuit of Accidents (1982) release!)

1. "Weave Your Spell"(Lindup, King, P. Gould)– 5:30
2. "The Pursuit Of Accidents"(Badarou, King, Lindup, P. Gould)– 7:44
3. "Last Chance"(P.Gould, King, Lindup)– 4:30
4. "Are You Hearing (What I Hear)?"(King, P. Gould, R. Gould)– 4:58
5. "You Can't Blame Louis"(King, P. Gould, Badarou)– 5:05
6. "Eyes Waterfalling"(King, P. Gould, Lindup, R. Gould)– 5:58
7. "Shapeshifter"(King)– 5:09
8. "The Chinese Way"(King, P. Gould, Badarou)– 5:53

My favorite from this release has got to be the title track that is called - "The Pursuit of Accidents". A wonderful slice of Funk with lovely touches of Jazz; and a great deal of musicianship added to boot! I just love that single.

The album added further acclaim to the band that they were not just a studio band. They were one to go and see live. As they always put on a very good set wherever they played within the world.

Level 42 was to produce their 4^th studio album called Standing in the Light.

 

It was released in the UK, during October 1983. The album was produced by Larry Dunn (keyboardist) and Verdine White (bassist) of Earth, Wind, and Fire. These two men from Earth, Wind, and Fire had a similar musical relationship as did Mark King and Mike Lindup of Level 42, being a similar instrumental combination

However, the only single from the album that was not produced by them was called – “Out of Sight, Out of Mind” which was produced by Wally Badarou (keyboardist).

This album produced the group's first top-ten hits.

However, the first pop single release from the album was called – “Out of Sight, Out of Mind" which reached number 41 on the UK charts.

The record label of whom they were with at the time (Polydor Records), decided to push their 2^nd second around the world. The single in question was  – "Sun Goes Down (Living It Up)”.

The gamble had paid off as it reached number 9 in the UK Pop Charts.

And finally, the 3^rd and last single to be released from the same album was called “Micro-Kid”, which reached number 37 on the UK pop charts.

1. "Micro-kid" (Wally Badarou, Mark King, Phil Gould, Brian Taylor, Allee Willis) – 4:44
2. "The Sun Goes Down (Living It Up)" (Badarou, King, Mike Lindup, P. Gould) – 4:15
3. "Out of Sight, Out of Mind" (P. Gould, King, Lindup, Boon Gould) – 5:12
4. "Dance On Heavy Weather" (King, P. Gould, Lindup, Taylor, Larry Dunn, Verdine White) – 4:27
5. "A Pharaoh's Dream (Of Endless Time)" (King, P. Gould, Lindup) – 4:21
6. "Standing in the Light" (King, P. Gould, Badarou) – 3:42
7. "I Want Eyes" (King, P. Gould) 4:59
8. "People" (Lindup) – 4:55
9. "The Machine Stops" (King, P. Gould, Badarou) – 4:15

I will be honest and confess to you, that in my opinion, the singles that I like best from this their 4^th studio album release would be –  “I want eyes” and “Standing in the Light”.

“I want eyes” is a dreamy but beautiful composition that to me does get enough praise.

Here is the single called – “I want eyes” – from the same album

And here is the song called – “Standing in the Light” from the same album.

A more groovalicious release from the group on the same album.

 Level 42, will always be fondly remembered as one of the leading figures of the Brit-Funk or Jazz Funk scene that came out of the UK during the early 1980s.

However, as they progressively became more famous for their music and their sound, in my opinion, they became more Pop and rock-orientated.

This to me was a great shame. The sound from these  4 Album releases mentioned above alone made everyone around the world sit up and take notice. And I mean that.

They were Loved just as much in England as in Europe. And many in the USA were increasingly asking about this band called Level 42 at that particular period - 1982 to 1984!

Their stage shows always looked fun to be a part of and their musicianship was extremely good.

I am glad that I got to see them during their Jazz Funk and Brit Funk years. They are still touring and playing around the world mind you.

Check out the group's website for future dates - http://www.level42.com/

However, the era from 1981 to 1984 was their best year musically.

Please have a look at this last video that features  Mark King below explaining how they nearly destroyed the band after all the hard work that they had all put in !!

Level 42 was not the only band to indulge in that musical sound from the UK.

But that is another article I need to write!

Well, that's all folks for me now anyway.

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Dj Mistri and the Electric Soul Show © www.electricsoulshow.com