One Man

Mark King | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (June 1, 1999)
• Original Release Date: June 1, 1999
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Rhino / Wea
• ASIN: B00000IQ1B
• Also Available in: Audio CD
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #373,790 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Bitter Moon

2. Swimming with Sky

3. One Man

4. Half Written Songs

5. Pamela

6. Take My Hand

7. Love Wars

8. Resupply

9. If I Had Something...

10. Changing the Guard

Editorial Reviews

Debut solo album by Level 42's former leader & bassist, apowerful influence on the British jazz and soul scenes sincethe '80s. 10 tracks, including the single 'Bitter Moon'.1998 Eagle Records release. --This text refers to an alternate Audio CD edition.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Another Level To Mark King's Talent!, June 21, 2001

By 

Paul A. Fucito "fabfriday" (Washington, DC) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: One Man (Audio CD)

Mark King, former frontman and bass player for Britfunk masters, Level 42, steps in a new direction with his second solo album. Some may feel the album was a little too "AC," but I disagree. The single "Bitter Moon" is fantastic and should have seen more airplay. The album is a great collage of styles and sounds, but you never forget this is Mark King. Unlike his first solo album, which contained nearly all of the members of Level 42, this truly is a glimpse into King's diversity. While considered one of the World's greatest bass players (nicknamed Thunderthumbs) his bass is more subdued and the vocals take center stage. King has always had a great voice and the songs give you an opportunity to enjoy it. A perfect addition to this album is Trash, which King released himself. A must for the Level 42 fan, and a great sleeper album for the masses.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Shiny, wonderful, beautiful, perfect music, September 14, 1999

By 

[e-mail] (Ireland) - See all my reviews

This review is from: One Man (Audio CD)

I have been a Level 42 fan since I was 15. Nine years later, and having gone through several different musical phases (goth, metal, alternative, drum & bass - you name it), for some reason there has never been anything better than Level 42's music. Even when I was really trying to be cool (!), I still found myself going back to Level 42 long after I tired of everything else. I am still playing their music and over the last couple of months have practically worn `One Man' out.

For me, the high points of Level 42's discography are not just their greatest hits, but songs like `Two Solitudes', `Out of sight, out of mind', and `Floating life.' `One Man' has the best of all these songs - the harmonies, melodies, keyboards, guitars, everything - and much more. Among the best songs are `Bitter Moon', `Resupply', and `Swimming with the sky.' `Love Wars' far outshines anything I have ever heard. However, there is one absolutely terrible track: `Pamela'. Mark King, where did that come from?!

Well, just skip that one and play the rest to death. I can't wait to hear Mark King's next album and wish he would do a tour... I have never had the opportunity to see him live and would just love to.

PS Does anybody know where Mike Lindup is?

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The ghost of Level 42..., May 5, 2000

By 

Diarmaid "Diarmaid" (Bethesda, MD USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: One Man (Audio CD)

...or more accurately, the ghost of Mike Lindup. This is a new-style Level 42 without Mike in the background. However his voice still seems to drift in at times where Mark has obviously made an effort to retain the Level 42 style. I'm not saying it's bad - hell, I still wish Level 42 were pumping out the hits - but it would be nice to concentrate on Mark alone. Not once in the album does he show off his bassist skills; Nothing like the start of "Love Games", etc. In fact, the bass seems to be subordinate to the keyboards, and most of the time sounds like a sequenced bass track played by a keyboard. In saying that, he sure knows how to write and produce catchy songs. This album is otherwise brilliant, and any of you who like me were skeptical of a solo being good need not worry about it. Mark is as brilliant as ever in this album. And of course, if you're a keyboard freak like me, the arrangements will grab your attention as always.