Level 42

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Level 42 Band

The roots of Britain's Level 42 can be traced back to the late 1970's, when founding Level 42 members Phil Gould and Mark King began working together with the band "M" (you may remember the song "Pop Muzik").  After adding members Mike Lindup and Boon Gould, the instrumental band Level 42 was created.

After landing a record deal on a small label in 1980, Level 42 was encouraged to bring vocals into the mix, and the duty was split between King and Lindup.  The group's first single, "Love Meeting Love", landed them a new record deal with Polydor Records, and they were quickly on their way.  Their first UK top 40 hit under Polydor was "Love Games", featured on their first studio album, Level 42, in 1981.  Prior to their mid 1980's worldwide success, other UK top 40 hits included "The Chinese Way", "The Sun Goes Down (Living It Up)", "Micro Kid", "Leaving Me Now", and "Hot Water".

In 1985, after clearly moving away from a jazz-funk sound to more mainstream pop, Level 42 released World Machine, which put them on the international stage with the song "Something About You" (charted in the top 10 in both the UK and USA).  Their 1987 release, Running in the Family, continued the trend with the international hit "Lessons in Love".  Other songs from this album that charted in the UK were "Running the Family", "To Be With You Again", "It's Over", and "Children Say".  Although after this release their US chart success was over, other 80's UK charting songs in the late 80's included "Heaven in My Hands", "Take a Look", "Tracie", and "Take Care of Yourself".

Around 1987, band tensions were a bit high, and the Gould brothers left the band.  After replacing these founding members of the band, Level 42 continued on, releasing a few more studio albums in the 1990's. Phil Gould did return for their 1994 release, but only for a short time.  The band split in 1994.  In 2006, most of the original members collaborated on a new album, and at the time of this writing in late 2013, they were still known to be active in one form or another.  The Level 42 Discography is as follows:

Listen for free or download any Level 42 track for just 12 cents per song!

  • 1981: Level 42
  • 1982: Strategy / The Early Tapes
  • 1982: The Pursuit of Accidents
  • 1983: Standing in the Light
  • 1983: The River Sessions
  • 1984: True Colours
  • 1985: World Machine
  • 1985: A Physical Presence
  • 1987: Running in the Family
  • 1988: Staring at the Sun
  • 1989: Level Best
  • 1991: Guaranteed
  • 1994: Forever Now
  • 1996: Live At Wembley
  • 1998: The Very Best of Level 42
  • 2002: Live At Reading
  • 2003: The Ultimate Collection
  • 2004: Live At The Apollo, London
  • 2005: Greatest Hits Live Tour
  • 2006: Retroglide
  • 2006: The Definitive Collection
  • 2007: Past Lives - The Best Of The RCA Years
  • 2007: Retroglide Live
  • 2009: Live in Holland 2009
  • 2010: Living it up - Level 42 30th Anniversary 4CD Box Set