Customer Reviews

Retroglide

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

After a 12 year absence, Level 42 return with "Retroglide". Right now it's an import only in the United States, but the import has 11 tracks and is 56 minutes in length. Mark King is the principal band member this time out, with augmentation by his son, Nathan King, Lyndon Connah, Sean Freeman and Gary Husband on drums from 1991's "Guaranteed" and 1988's "Staring At The Sun". Original members Mike Lindup and Boon Gould also make appearances, mainly Lindup on keys and backing vocals on four tracks and Boon sharing song writing duties with King on all 11 tracks, plus a guitar solo on the song "Ship".

That said, if you are a Level 42 fan thinking about what this album sounds like, then I can tell you that it's a mixture of stuff dating back to their debut 1981 album, "Level 42" and blending in some "Running In The Family"/"Staring At The Sun" elements with a new, improved, contemporary sound for today's listeners.

In fact, "Retroglide" goes a long way to make up for the lackluster 1994 album "Forever Now" and even "Guaranteed". This is a stronger, wiser, refreshed Level 42, custom made for their fans who've stuck around these 26 years. The musicianship is top notch, of course, but what about the songs?

Well, that's where I give "Retroglide" three stars. Although the band is back on track, and definitely making a move in the right musical direction, there are only a handful of classics here. By far, the best track is "The Way Back Home" at nearly seven minutes, it has some of the best lyrics and the most memorable melody of the 11 tracks. After that, there are several other good songs like "Dive Into The Sun", "Rooted", "Just For You" and "Sleep Talking" (which I'd pick as another single). The back half of the album isn't nearly as sharp. "Retroglide" and "All Around" aren't too bad, but "Clouds", "Hell Town Story", "Ship" and the bonus track "All I Need" are just average in my not so humble opinion.

So, if like me, you own all of Level 42's work, "Retroglide" will make a nice addition to your collection. If you are new to Level 42 I'd start with "Gold" and decide from there if you are a hardcore fan. After that, check out "Level 42", "World Machine" and "Running In The Family".

I'm amazed at how vital and well-crafted this project is. The recording is excellent and the performances, wow! This album flows beautifully. There are many creative things going on; some are subtle so the careful listener is well-rewarded. The songs ebb and flow and the dynamics are incredible. Dive into the Sun rocks! "I'm sensing my saving grace is rooted deep in you". Stunning. The Way Back Home starts sparsely and builds to perfection. There are two (too brief) guitar solos (Boon lights it up on Ship) and even, can I believe my ears? A sweet melodic bass solo on Hell Town Story. Plus, some scorching sax playing, something for everyone.
Gary Husband's drumming deserves special mention. The drums are recorded immaculately and Gary plays precisely and creatively, a master. There are many excellent bits, simply outstanding. Thanks to the guys for paying attention and capturing Gary's fine work so superbly.
The bonus track, All I Need, has some wild keyboard and acoustic guitar lines. They are mixed down, so you have to pay attention to catch the extremely cool riffing.
This project, though different, is right up there with the UK version of World Machine. Bravo, guys, bravo!

Level 42's last album was released in 1995 (Forever Now), and they'd strayed so far from their trademark Eurofunk sound by that time that I didn't even notice. This is saying a lot since I was always a huge Level 42 fan, almost from the beginning. I loved their early sound, which rode the fine line between pop and really smoking fusion jazz. Mark King's bass was the signature foundation for this band, along with some really wonderful keyboard work by Mike Lindup. Their music was consistently good through most of the 80's, and reached a fine balance between pop and jazz in 1985's "World Machine" album. 1987's follow-up "Running in the Family" was almost as good, but they were clearly losing their way by 1988's "Staring at the Sun". Most of the stuff they put out after this was a mere shadow of their former work. Their last album was 1995's "Forever Now", which didn't even find release in the U.S and hardly got any airplay in the UK.

So, imagine my surprise when I took a flyer on Level 42's first new album in over 10 years. . . . What a pleasant surprise! No, it's not "World Machine", but it is definitely the original band back in form again. The first cut, "Dive Into the Sun" lets you know that the band is back in the form that made them popular to begin with. We haven't heard Mark King's burning bass guitar at this level since "Running in the Family." Almost all the songs are keepers, with the possible exceptions of "The Way Back Home", "Just For You", and "Ship" (all of which are just a little too cheesy ballad for my taste). "Sleep Talking" positively cooks and "All Around" is a little more mellow with a fantastic bassline. The GOOD ballads include "Rooted", "Clouds", and the absolutely gorgeous sounding title cut "Retroglide". "Hell Town Story" is very reminiscent of their earlier stuff with their signature funk sound that makes you just want to levitate to the dance floor and "All I Need" presents a more grown up jazz sounding tune that serves as a very nice closer. Mark King's vocals just truly soar here.

Every band that has really hit it big has one or two albums that are so amazingly good you have to buy them. Level 42's was "World Machine" (although I personally loved their earlier stuff as well). This one is NOT one of those albums. But it IS worth owning if you love the Level 42 sound and crave to hear something fresh from them. Easliy their best since "Running in the Family." Check it out. . .

This is a truly good album, almost great by most standards but it is missing something. It almost feels "overproduced", canned in other words. The songwriting is outstanding, both lyrically and musically but it lacks the soul of the previous Level 42 albums. Listen carefully and you can almost hear Mark King laying down each track himself, layer upon layer. Don't get me wrong, I am thrilled that my favorite band of all time is back at it. I've listened to the cd over and over again. "Dive into the Sun" (not "DRIVE into the Sun" as listed on Amazon) is a great pop/jazz fusion song that should be playing on American radio right now. My favorite track on the album is "Just for You", great lyrics and a beautiful melody. So, would I recommend Retroglide to fans and would-be fans alike? Absolutely. Maybe the cure for what ails me is a live version of this cd to hear the inspiring individual musicianship that constitutes a great Level 42 effort. One can hope.

I do like this CD but, where is the band?

On all eleven tracks Mark King is credited with Vocals, Bass, Percussion, Guitars and Keyboards. What?

Level 42 was a GREAT BAND. Each individual musician had their strengths and each had the ability to stand on their own as solo artists. You could listen to any of the old CDs and marvel at the chops these guys have. It would be madness for one man (even the great Mark King) to attempt to do it all by himself. Even with the assistance of Lyndon Connah, Nathan King, and Gary Husband.

To his credit, Mark King ALMOST pulls it off.

Yes, Mike Lindup provides "backing vocals" on four tracks but, the fantastic funk keyboard playing and solos we all loved from the old CDs aren't on Retroglide (sorry Lyndon). Gary Husband does return on drums and Boon is back for songwriting and a guitar solo but, the production and synth wizardry of Wally Badarou is nowhere to be heard. Mark and Nathan King do an admirable job on guitars but, compared to Boon, Alan Murphy, Dominic Miller or Alan Holdsworth they disappear in the mix.

Still... the eleven songs on RetroGlide by King and Boon are good. REALLY good. This is the best material Mark King has ever released outside of the original Level 42 discography.

I have to recommend this CD, even though the musical interplay that made the original Level 42 band so fantastic is sadly absent from it. Mark King is known for his melodic bass playing and it is good to hear him no matter what title he records under.

Let's just hope for the next CD Mark King can get some worthy replacements or coerce the original lineup back together. Level 42 was a great band. Let's hope it returns to that in the future.

I rarely take the time to write a comment about anything on Amazon, especially when it comes to today's music. I have been a lover of Level 42 for many years, and I had never taken a chance on being disappointed by their new stuff (Mark King solo, particularly). No disrespect intended, but I have heard so many flops by other artists in the past... As a casual surfer of their website, I was blasted by the sounds of "Dive into the Sun," as I searched for their latest concert schedule. Curiosity struck me, and I decided to try out this new work by Mark King and Co. People, this truly is a great work. "Retroglide," "The Way Back Home" (great tune, didn't I tell you?) ---all these songs possess that Level 42 flavor we know and love, but also a newness about them that makes you glad that good music still exists. King and co.'s classic musicianship is present in every note and will give you those great vibes you first had when you fell in love with Level 42. Beware, this great work was meant for those who do not settle for mediocrity in their Mp3 players. Thank you, Mark, now come throw down that slap bass here in the States!

Let there be rejoicing! Level 42 is oh so back. I've loved them for years and was only a little hesitant to purchase this CD. I usually like to at least sample the music, but I finally decided to trust the talent, and I'm glad I did. I think the group sound is immediately recognizable, but the songs don't sound like rehashes of anything they've done before. And it's definitely improving with each repetition. I believe that if you like Level 42, you will enjoy this CD. Now, if they'd only tour the U.S.....

I discovered these guys at an HMV record store in London back in the late 80's and ended up buying everything they did. This one is pretty good; not up to the standards of World Machine and Guaranteed but not bad. If you are a serious Level 42 collector then by all means go for it.

Don't expect "classic" Level 42 sound. It's not. What it is, is great songwriting and excellent production. It will make a cheap soundsystem sound good ! It took me a while to warm up to it, but once i "got it", I really like it. I listen to it in the car many times a week.

I've been listening to this CD non-stop now for weeks! As a long-time Level 42 fan, discovering this album of new material has been fantastic. Mark King sings and sounds like he always has, full of energy and with that character only he possesses. If you're considering whether to buy this album, don't hesitate. It rivals any previous album. I didn't give it 5 stars since not every song is amazing, but there many that I hit the repeat button on, and several have grown on me. Top songs in my opinion are Rooted, All Around & Hell Town Story. So glad to have these guys back!