I have been a fan of Level 42 since the mid-80s. Many people would only recognise them from a few of the more mainstream hits they had between about 1986 and 1990. They actually put out releases between 1980 and 1994, when the band broke up.
In around 1999, Mark King (bass player and vocalist) decided to put out a solo record (his second), and at about the same time I was in contact with the record company he was working with. I was lucky enough to be allowed to develop Mark's website for the single and album launch, and I have worked on both that site and www.level42.com ever since.
The CD, "One Man", was a departure from the usual Level 42 style people had come to expect - there were no funky bass lines, very few falsetto harmonies, and subdued drumming. That didn't stop the album being fantastic, just different. Mark took the album on the road with a band that consisted of his brother Nathan playing guitar and Lyndon Connah on keys. At first he was using an old friend of mine on drums, Trevor Smith, but when Trevor's commitments prevented him from playing with the band, Mark asked Gary Husband to take over. Sean Freeman was added to the line up on sax and vocals a few years later. The band played a great blend of new material and the old Level 42 classics.
Mark released a third solo effort himself via the website, called Trash. A return to funky form, Mark played every instrument on the CD himself. He is quite a drummer, it has to be said! This added some great tracks to the repertoire for the live shows.
Throughout all of this time, one of the biggest complaints I heard from the die-hard fans was that it "really wasn't Level 42", that "Mike's absence leaves a big hole", especially in reference to the live gigs. Personally I felt that the shows were great fun, and as always a true demonstration of Mark and his band's fabulous musicianship.
Mark acquired the rights to the name Level 42 from Mike Lindup (keyboard player) a few years ago and has been touring as Level 42 ever since with the same band. This fueled the "it's not Level 42" cries further!
Two weeks ago, a brand new Level 42 CD was released by W14 records. Called Retroglide, it features the same band described above, with some extra work by Mike Lindup on keyboards and vocals. All the lyrics were written by original guitarist for the band Boon Gould. There are some great funky tracks and some fabulous ballads and more laid back tracks, displaying a mix of the styles Mark has been working with the past few years. It is an excellent CD and well worth a listen.
Through my work on level42.com, I was fortunate enough to get tickets to a small gig at the Cafe de Paris in Leicester Square last night that was part of the "Legends Live" series Capital Gold radio station is running. The band consisted of Mark, Nathan, Sean, Gary - and Mike Lindup on keyboards! What can I say? It was like welcoming back a long lost friend - every keyboard part, every vocal line sounded just like I had come to expect through my many years of listening to them prior to the split. Whilst the band for the past few years has sounded "great", last night was the first time in years it has sounded like "Level 42 Proper". Long may it continue, welcome back Mike!
The gig marked the beginning of a UK and European tour - take a look at the Level 42 tour page for the full list of dates. Check them out live if you can, I promise that you will NOT be disappointed.