Level Best

Level 42

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 26, 1999)
• Original Release Date: December 5, 1989
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Fontana Polydor
• ASIN: B000001FRC
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (25 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #66,584 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Sun Goes Down., March 21, 2000

By	Jason Stein (San Diego, CA United States) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

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.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A comprehensive collection of their popular career., October 18, 2000

By	Kelvin S. Yew (Singapore Singapore) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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.

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent collection from a great band, but one major flaw -, May 20, 2004

By	Brian Campbell (Chicago, Illinois) - See all my reviews

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.