Customer Reviews

Level Best

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

As far as greatest hits compilations go, this one by Level 42 is exceptional. 18 tracks covering most of their career including the American hits "Something About You" and "Lessons In Love" from 1986 and 1987 respectively. Level 42 were much more than those two songs however. They brilliantly combined rock and jazz the way no other band has been able to do except for Steely Dan. Most Americans probably don't remember Level 42 by now, but they were a great band. Since most of their cds are out of print in America this greatest hits package is all you need. If you can find 1985's World Machine or 1987's Running In The Family, both of those are very good. Level Best is a must have for any rock collector.

This 1989 compilation spans 9 years of Level 42's career, from their music school jazz funk roots to their attainment of mainstream popularity in the pantheon of 80s Britpop stars.

Earlier hits (such as Starchild, and Love Games from their self-titled album) features strong jazz-fusion influences, especially in the Stanley Clarke influenced slap sound of virtuoso bassist Mark King. The jazz influence is still strong in "Chinese Way" - from the album entitled "The Pursuit of Accidents" - which is reminiscent of Jaco Pastorius' work.

The World Machine album (featuring songs such as the anthemic "Something about you", "Leaving me now", and the brassy "Hot Water" for the US release) represented a commercial turning point. Gone are the jazz fusion instrumentals within the albums, replaced by catchy pop driven by King's ever prominent basslines. Its still good stuff though.

Noticably absent from the Running in the family album ("Running in the family". "Children Say", "To be with you again") are the brothers Boon (guitars)and Phil Gould (drums) who subsequently left the band following a dispute regarding the group's distancing themselves from their jazz-funk roots.

Nonetheless, the band's basic musical success formula stays the same throughout. Bass heavy grooves, and the tight vocal interplay between Mark King's baritone and Mike Lindup's falsetto.

Sadly missing, for fans who recall the band's earlier work, is a minor hit from their earlier work entitled "Love Meeting Love", and the once popular "Turn it on". Otherwise, its a good collection of every hit they've had up to 1989. Diehard fans who already have the albums might want to give this a miss. Casual listeners won't go wrong picking it up.

This is a very satisfying collection from one of the best bands of the 1980's, but why is the version of Something About You (which I consider too be the pinnacle of their career) the 45 version? Unfortunately this cuts down the opening & the ending enough to where if you're a humongous fan of the song like I am it's drastic!

Otherwise this a great collection, but if you NEED the long version like I do you'll have to get World Machine, which is a good album as well.

Combine melodic pop gems with some awe-inspiring musicianship, and you come up with what was easily one of the greatest bands to come from England in the 80's. Despite a couple of major U.S. hits ("Lessons in Love" and "Something About You," both included here), Level 42 never achieved the superstar status in America as they did overseas, which is a shame. This collection is a nice overview of their major U.K. hits, compiling material from seven albums....most of which are out of print, so many of these tracks cannot be found on any other currently available U.S. release. Mark King is an amazing bass player (his thumb-slapping technique is similar to jazz player Stanley Clarke's), and his reputation earned him the nickname "Thunderthumbs." Over the years he became an increasingly confident and soulful singer as well, with keyboardist extraordinaire Mike Lindup providing contrasting falsetto vocals....a nice mix that works well with tunes like "Children Say" and their only U.S. top ten, "Something About You." The quality of the band's work suffered a bit after the departure of founding members Boon and Phil Gould, and the one new track recorded specifically for this collection (the obnoxious "Take Care Of Yourself") isn't very good. But almost every track is a classic....from the jazzy early recordings "Love Games" and "Starchild" to the catchy pop nuggets "Running in the Family" and "Heaven in my Hands." Any fan of soulful pop music should definitely add this CD to their collection.

You'd be best served purchasing "World Machine," "Running in the Family," and "Staring at the Sun," as they are the parts of Level 42's body of work that really stand out. Their early tunes, such as "Starchild" and "The Chinese Way" sound like poor attempts at mimicing early Prince. Later stuff like "Take Care of Yourself" is just too lite-rock. The essence of the band is in their mid-80's work, and "World Machine" in particular.

One of the best groups of the 80's in my opinion. This collection is superb, with the exception of "Leaving Me Now" which is disappointingly whittled down to 3:31 from the original 5:00 album version. A minor flaw but notable considering this is one of their finest songs.

Level 42 is one of those bands that over all will probaley fall through the cracks of rock history. If for no other reason this CD is worth it for songs like "Running in the Family" "Lessons In Love" and "Something about you." Three great hits that still today I'm not tired of. Lets face it, with some of the '80's music you still hear it like 40 million times a week. Level 42 has that quality you just don't get tired of.

...I remember this band during the 80s having a couple of hits. These guys are actually accomplished musicians and on each track the detailed chords shows it. Unfortunately, they were playing what every other 80s band was playing at the time, so it's not anything unique. Sticking with their jazz/rock fusion beginnings might have produced some interesting compositions. However, the one song that has stuck in my mind all these years was "It's Over". This ballad is highly intriguing because of it's unique chord transitions and Wally Badarou's ethereal keyboard textures. The lyrics are bittersweet and fit nicely in the song's rhytmn. The final bridge is the hook of the song and the fadeout is natural; most fadeouts aren't.

Level 42 fans may not agree with my selection of this song; people like the band for their power-pop ditties, not their ballads. But "It's Over", "Leaving Me Now", and "Starchild" seem to stand out most for their fine craftsmanship.

Combine melodic pop gems with some awe-inspiring musicianship, and you come up with what was easily one of the greatest bands to come from England in the 80's. Despite a couple of major U.S. hits ("Lessons in Love" and "Something About You," both included here), Level 42 never achieved the superstar status in America as they did overseas, which is a shame. This collection is a nice overview of their major U.K. hits, compiling material from seven albums....most of which are out of print, so many of these tracks cannot be found on any other currently available U.S. release.

Mark King is an amazing bass player (his thumb-slapping technique is similar to jazz player Stanley Clarke's), and his reputation earned him the nickname "Thunderthumbs." Over the years he became an increasingly confident and soulful singer as well, with keyboardist extraordinaire Mike Lindup providing contrasting falsetto vocals....a nice mix that works well with tunes like "Children Say" and their only U.S. top ten, "Something About You." The quality of the band's work suffered a bit after the departure of founding members Boon and Phil Gould, and the one new track recorded specifically for this collection (the obnoxious "Take Care Of Yourself") isn't very good. But almost every track is a classic....from the jazzy early recordings "Love Games" and "Starchild" to the catchy pop nuggets "Running in the Family" and "Heaven in my Hands." Any fan of soulful pop music should definitely add this CD to their collection.

The only song I heard prior to buying this album was Something about you. I loved this song so much as a child, I decided to buy their greatest hits. I wasn't disappointed! Every song is perfect with great lyrics. If you love 80's pop\New Wave, you will also love Level 42. I can't pick a favorite... they are all good!