Level 42 was formed in 1980 as a jazz-funk fusion band. The founding band members were Mark King (Vocals / Bass), Mike Lindup (Keyboards/Vocals), Rowland 'Boon' Gould (Guitar) and Phil Gould (Drums). Initially the band was signed to a small independent record label, Elite Records being runned by Andy Soyka, after being seen jamming together. Mark King and Boon both claim to have been reading Douglas Adams' comical science-fiction novel, The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy wherein the Answer to Life, the Universe, and Everything, is '42'. Therefore '42' was suggested as a name for the band. It should be noted that their then producer, Andy Sojka, similarly claimed to have been reading the book, and claimed to have put forward the number as a suggested band name. It is known therefore, that the use of the number '42' in the band name came from either Mark King, Boon, or Andy Sojka. The appendange of the word 'Level' is claimed to have been from either Andy Sojka's lawyer, or John Gould's (the third Gould brother and band manager) lawyer.
Other names considered for the band were 'Powerline' and 'Kick in the head'. 'Powerline' was rejected and given to another of Andy Sojka's groups, and it was on a white label promotional record numbered 'DAZZ 4' that the words 'Level 42' first appeared. The band provided the B-side - a track called 'Sandstorm' (a track which they also wanted to call 'Kick in the head'). The A side was provided by 'Powerline'.
Shortly after they released the single "Love Meeting Love" on Elite, they came to the attention of Polydor Records and signed to them. One of the performers on that track, keyboardist Wally Badarou, would later become Level 42's longtime co-producer and what Mark King calls the band's "fifth member," though his other commitments prevented him from touring. This never was Wally Badarou's intention at all, so he was fine with it.
In 1981 they released "Love Games", a top-40 hit. They then cut their critically acclaimed, self-titled debut album. This became an immediate success throughout Europe, starting with the Netherlands, which would become Level 42's 2nd home.
The following year, a second album The Pursuit of Accidents was made, and singles from the album, first "Weave Your Spell" and then "The Chinese Way" were released, both charting, the latter in particular rising high in the charts and gaining the band a much wider audience than hitherto. Their album went on to become a huge seller. In between, Polydor released The Early Tapes, recorded in the early days of the band when they were signed to the Elite label. A fourth album Standing in the Light generated their first top ten hit in the UK in 1983, "The Sun Goes Down (Living It Up)".
The quartet followed that with the album True Colours in 1984, which veered between funk, power pop, midtempo rock and moody ballads. It yielded the singles "The Chant Has Begun" and "Hot Water." That same year, Mark King pursued a solo project Influences. By this time, Level 42 had also gained acclaim for its power as a live band (as showcased on the Physical Presence album.)
The next studio album, World Machine, was released in 1985. Singles from this, "Something About You", and "Leaving Me Now" were also top ten hits, followed by another, "Lessons in Love" in early 1986. By this time, the band was heading away from its original jazz-funk sound and towards a much more mainstream pop sound. Elements of Level 42's roots can still be found in the funky "Coup d'Etat" and "Dream Crazy" on the UK version of the album, as well as a long instrumental track named "Hell", which was also recorded during the World Machine sessions. This last track did not see the light of day until the early 2000s as an MP3 download on internet.
The band's 1987 album Running in the Family became their biggest seller, and cemented this poppy musical direction, with King's bass and Lindup and Badarou's chugging keyboards serving as templates for smart pop songs like "Lessons in Love," the ballad "It's Over" and the title track.
Both Phil and Boon left the group, unhappy with the increasing direction towards pop music, and exhausted from touring. As a result, King recruited Gary Husband and Steve Topping to replace them. Husband recommended Topping, but he did not work out due to personality differences with King. Rated session guitarist Alan Murphy joined, formerly of Go West. He had also been Kate Bush's studio guitarist and continued in this capacity. A new Level 42 album Staring at the Sun, was released in 1988. The following year, Alan died from an AIDS-related illness, and the band took some time off. At this time Level Best, a greatest hits compilation, was released. In December 1990, the band played a record run at Hammersmith Odeon, London which had been booked almost two years before. These concerts featured Lyndon Connah on keyboards and vocals, and Allan Holdsworth on guitar. In this year, Mike Lindup also released his debut solo album, Changes.
During the early 1990s, the group tried to blend more of their earlier influences, such as Mahavishnu Orchestra, into their sound by asking master musician Allan Holdsworth to provide some stunning guitar work for the album Guaranteed (notably on "A Kinder Eye") . Though well-received, especially by US music critics who appreciated the group's musicianship, many of their jazz-funk fans did not like the set's mostly rock-oriented style, and the pop music scene in the UK had moved in a different direction. The album did not sell well despite being regarded by some as Level 42's most musically sophisticated work to date.
Through it all, the band continued to be a potent live draw, with the studio members joined on stage by singer Annie McCaig, who also did backup vocals on the Guaranteed album; and the brass duo of sax player Gary Barnacle and trumpeter John Thirkell, aka The Hen Pecked Horns. Barnacle played on several Level 42 studio albums, dating back to the self-titled 1981 debut. Barnacle had been preceded as L42 tour saxophonist by Krys Mach, who also recorded with Level 42 and toured with the group from 1984 to 1988.
After the recording of Guaranteed, and a week long promotional tour, Holdsworth, apparently unwilling to play rhythm guitar, left the band, replaced by Jakko M. Jakszyk. Although not on the record, Jakszyk features on the album's cover photo; he also took part in promotional duties and the tour for the album. He does play to great effect on two b-sides from this era: "At the Great Distance" and "As Years Go by". Jakszyk's other studio input with Level 42 came in the form of two unreleased tracks (Fire and Free Your Soul) between the Guaranteed and Forever now albums.
1994's Forever Now album, marked the return of Phil Gould as studio drummer and principal lyricist. The album saw the group move closer to its R&B-jazz roots, especially in the lush ballad "Romance", the acid-jazz-influenced "Sunbed Song" and the dance-pop "Learn to Say No."
With one further album required as part of the band's three album deal with RCA, fans saw a bright future for the band, especially with Phil Gould back in the fold and the critical success of Forever Now, however, the fruitful (part) reunion was short-lived. Phil Gould, dismayed at what he felt was the record company's ineptitude, did not go on the road with the band on their Forever Now tour (being replaced by Gavin Harrison), and it was announced halfway through the tour (on the day of their Manchester Apollo gig) that Level 42 would be disbanding in October '94.
In 1998, Mark King released his second solo album One Man with lyrics by Boon Gould. In 1999, King went back on the road playing his own new compositions and some Level 42 favorites. In late 2001 he came to a business agreement with Mike Lindup and therafter re-named his solo band 'Level 42'. Its current lineup consists of bassist Mark King, drummer Gary Husband, Nathan King on guitars and vocals, Lyndon Connah on keyboards and vocals and Sean Freeman on saxophone and vocals. Lindup has been known to appear as a guest keyboardist at the now famous Forum-gig.
Although the group decided not to reform, Boon Gould and Mike Lindup have both contributed to a new album which the 2002 touring group has been recording during 2005. The new album, Retroglide was announced in February 2006 with a supporting tour throughout the UK in October 2006 with Mike Lindup appearing as special guest.
In 2006 the new album Retroglide was released, on which Mike Lindup can be heard too. During the summer they played live at some festivals and in October/November they toured to promote their new album.
On July 9th the 30th Anniversary Album was released, featuring all their hits on 2CD's, a bonus CD with rarities and the long awaited Acoustic Album of which you can hear 3 tracks above.
The 4CD set is available on www.level42.com
