Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular Music

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

LEVEL 42

UK disco-pop group formed '80: Mark King, bass and lead vocals (b 20 Oct. '58); Phil Gould, drums (b 28 Feb. '57); Boon Gould, guitar (b 4 March '55), Mike Lindup, keyboards (b 17 March '59). Began as mainly instrumental jazz-funk band playing for London fans; multi-instrumentalist King had contributed to debut LP by M of "Pop Muzik' fame '79 with Phil Gould and Grace Jones sideman, keyboardist Wally Badarou; now concentrated on bass with solid driving style infl. by Stanley Clarke (he endorsed his own Jaydee bass). First LPs The Early Tapes '82, Level 42 '81 showed pop sensibilities creeping in as singles flirted with lower end of UK pop chart; The Pursuit Of Accidents '82 yielded "The Chinese Way' (no. 24, sounding Earth Wind & Fire-ish), Standing In The Light '83 brought Kool-style chanter "The Sun Goes Down (Living It Up)', first top 10 hit. King's solo LP Influences '84 was panned as self-indulgent but showed off many skills, '60s grounding in cover of Cream's "I Feel Free'. True Colours '84 had hard funk of "Hot Water' (no. 18); live A Physical Presence followed by World Machine '85, showing marked swing towards pop, with Badarou arranging, co-writing and co-producing much material for commercial sheen, high chart placings of "Something About You' and balladic "Leaving Me Now'. Faceless in the tradition of jazz-funk bands Freeez, Incognito, Beggar and Co. etc they raised their profile somewhat and used video well; like labelmates Shakatak they were the darlings of compact disc fans. Running In The Family and Staring At The Sun '87-8 were more of the same followed by Standing In The Light '90, all on Polygram labels; Forever Now and Guaranted were on RCA.