Level 42

Level 42

Level 42 are an English jazz-funk band from the Isle of Wight, United Kingdom, formed in 1979 and active since 1980. Their work develops from jazz-funk into pop, funk, new wave, dance-rock and jazz fusion. The core line-up forms around Mark King on bass and vocals, Mike Lindup on keyboards and vocals, and the Gould brothers, Phil on drums and Boon on guitar, with Wally Badarou becoming a key studio collaborator without formally joining the group.

Formation and early records

Mark King and the Gould brothers play together on the Isle of Wight before King and Phil Gould are based in London and work on Robin Scott’s M project. Phil Gould introduces King to Mike Lindup in 1979, and the group begins rehearsing in a loose instrumental format. Dominic Miller is the first guitarist, but Boon Gould replaces him after returning from the United States. King switches from drums to bass and develops a slap technique influenced by visiting American funk players. The band takes its name from Douglas Adams’s The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, where 42 is the answer to the ultimate question of life, the universe and everything.

After being seen jamming, Level 42 sign to Elite Records in 1980 and are then encouraged to add vocals. King and Lindup share singing duties, with Lindup often handling harmonies and chorus parts while King sings lead verses. The band’s early recordings include the Elite single “Love Meeting Love”, which leads to a deal with Polydor Records. Their Polydor debut single “Love Games” becomes a Top 40 hit in 1981, followed by the debut album Level 42 and the compilation The Early Tapes, also known as Strategy. In 1982, The Pursuit of Accidents continues their jazz-funk approach while moving further towards pop, and the singles “Weave Your Spell” and “The Chinese Way” both chart.

Move towards pop success

Standing in the Light appears in 1983 and marks a shift towards a less experimental, less jazzy sound. Produced by Larry Dunn and Verdine White of Earth, Wind & Fire, it gives the band their first UK Top Ten hit with “The Sun Goes Down (Living It Up)”. The 1984 album True Colours broadens their style further across funk, power pop, mid-tempo rock and ballads. Its singles include “The Chant Has Begun” and “Hot Water”, the latter becoming a Top 20 hit in Britain and reaching the top five in the Netherlands and the top ten in Belgium.

The live double album A Physical Presence in 1985 reflects their reputation as a live band. Saxophonist Krys Mach tours with the group from 1984 to 1988 and contributes to some recordings. World Machine, released later in 1985, establishes their mainstream pop-rock sound and includes “Something About You” and “Leaving Me Now”, both UK Top 20 hits. “Something About You” becomes their most successful single in the United States and their only US Top 10 hit. It reaches number 7 on the Billboard Hot 100, while “Leaving Me Now” peaks at number 15 in the UK.

Peak commercial period

“Lessons in Love”, released in 1986, becomes the band’s biggest-selling single and their highest-charting UK hit, reaching number 3 in the UK and number 12 in the United States. It also tops the charts in several other countries. The song leads Running in the Family in 1987, an album that continues their polished pop sound and produces further singles including “To Be With You Again”, “It’s Over” and the title track. During this period they play the Prince’s Trust concert, with Eric Clapton standing in on guitar for “Running in the Family”, and King and Lindup also appear with artists including Ben E. King, George Harrison and Ringo Starr.

Despite their success, the original line-up begins to break apart. Boon Gould leaves in late 1987 after touring with Madonna, though he continues to write lyrics for the band. Paul Gendler temporarily replaces him. Phil Gould leaves permanently in December 1987, and Neil Conti fills in to complete the tour.

Line-up changes in the late 1980s and early 1990s

Gary Husband becomes the new full-time drummer in 1988. Steve Topping briefly joins on guitar, then leaves, and most of Staring at the Sun is recorded without a permanent guitarist. Alan Murphy joins late in the sessions and the album reaches number 2 in the UK. Its single “Heaven in My Hands” becomes another hit. Murphy, who has worked extensively with Kate Bush and been a member of Go West, dies in 1989 after contracting pneumonia. The band takes time off and releases the compilation Level Best. Mike Lindup also issues his first solo album, Changes.

Level 42 sign to RCA Records in 1990 for Guaranteed. Dominic Miller handles most rhythm guitar parts, while Allan Holdsworth contributes guitar, especially on “A Kinder Eye”. Gary Husband expands his role to keyboards and songwriting, and the album also includes work from lyricists Drew Barfield and George Green. Guaranteed reaches number 3 in the UK, and its title track reaches number 17 as a single. The band plays a long run of dates at Hammersmith Odeon in London and then brings in Jakko Jakszyk as guitarist. Jakszyk appears on the album artwork, plays promotion and touring dates, and performs on the B-sides “At This Great Distance” and “As Years Go By”, though he does not become a legal member. Material written by the King-Lindup-Husband-Jakszyk line remains unreleased.

Gary Husband leaves in 1993 and Phil Gould returns for the 1994 album Forever Now, with Danny Blume playing guitars. The album is a critical success, but the reunion is short-lived. Gould plays only one promotional gig, and Gavin Harrison later replaces him on the tour. Level 42 announce that they disband after their concert commitments and play their final show at the Albert Hall in London on 14 October 1994. Live recordings from those final shows are made but not released.

Solo work, reunion and later activity

Mark King’s solo period begins in 1996 with the single “Bitter Moon” and the album One Man, which features lyrics by Boon Gould. He later performs as a solo act and forms live groups including The Mark King Group and Grupo Mark King. These line-ups include Gary Husband, Jakko Jakszyk, Lyndon Connah, Nathan King and Sean Freeman. Nathan King replaces Jakszyk on guitar and Sean Freeman later adds saxophone.

King, Mike Lindup and Phil Gould play together again at Lindup’s wedding in 2001. Later that year King buys the rights to the Level 42 name and announces a new line-up with Husband, Connah, Freeman and Nathan King, while Lindup agrees to contribute to future recordings. The group returns to live work in 2002 and mainly tours its back catalogue. In 2005, a one-night reunion with Lindup takes place, and the band also releases archival live material and compilations. A collaboration called “Genius Of Love” appears on The Ultimate Collection II, featuring Mark King on vocals and a sample of “I Want Eyes”.

Retroglide follows in 2006, chiefly recorded and produced by King at home. Husband, Connah, Freeman and Nathan King contribute, while Boon Gould writes lyrics and plays a guitar solo on “Ship”. Mike Lindup adds keyboards and vocals, effectively expanding the line-up for the project. The album is the first Level 42 release without any contribution from Wally Badarou. Lindup returns full-time on keyboards later in 2006. Husband leaves again in 2010 and is replaced by Pete Ray Biggin.

Recent work and release series

In 2012 the band tours the UK and mainland Europe, playing Running in the Family in full alongside other songs. Mike Lindup also plays accordion in an acoustic set, and Boon Gould appears onstage during a Bristol show.

Level 42 release the six-song Sirens EP in 2013 on their own label, Level 42 Records. It includes “Where’s Yo’ Head At”, “Too Much Time”, “Sirens”, “Mind on You”, “My Independence Day” and “Build Myself a Rocket”, with Mark King’s daughter Marlee on backing vocals on the last of these. The EP is mixed by John Morales and draws on contemporary R&B and dance electronic production ideas. The band then tours Europe and appears at festivals including Let’s Rock Bristol, Rochester Castle, Rewind, Let’s Rock the Moor, Carfest and others. At some shows the brass section is expanded, and Gary Husband returns for one Bournemouth date when Biggin is unavailable. A follow-up EP, Sirens II, is later promoted with further touring.

Boon Gould dies in Dorset in 2019. Later that year Level 42 perform at the opening concert of the Festival d’été de Québec, marking a rare appearance in North America.