Level 42 - Running In The Family (1987) - €7,99

 

Running in the Family is the seventh studio album by British band Level 42, released in 1987. It features the UK hit singles: "Lessons in Love", "Running in the Family", "To Be with You Again", "It's Over" and "Children Say" 

By Running in the Family, Level 42 had almost completely thinned out their early jazz-funk and soul roots in favor of a radio-friendly keyboard pop with a light R&B vibe. The sound lies somewhere between Kool and the Gang and early Tears for Fears. 

But if early fans might have felt betrayed by the new direction, the band's newfound aptitude for attention-grabbing hooks and airtight instrumental polish attracted more than enough new fans to replace them. Running in the Family included the band's sole number one hit in the U.K. charts, "Lessons in Love." 

It also featured a handful of other respectable pop nuggets including "Children Say" and "Fashion Fever." The record is a little uneven, faltering especially when the band indulges its taste for sappy ballads like "It's Over." 

But for the most part, Level 42 was extremely successful in its attempt to create something that would strike a chord with mainstream pop audiences. And they manage to do it without being obnoxiously derivative. Of course, the whole project reeks of 1987. 

But the solid craftsmanship of the writing as well as the group's ability to adapt to the popular tastes of the time helped them survive the '80s and become one of the more durable bands to have arisen in that era. 

Side A

A1.  Lessons In Love - 4:04

A2.  Children Say - 4:53

A3.  Running In The Family - 6:12

A4.  It’s Over - 6:02

Side B

B1.  To Be With You Again - 5:19

B2.  Two Solitudes - 5:17

B3.  Fashion Fever - 4:35

B4.  The Sleepwalkers - 6:02

Notes

Released: 1987

Format:  LP

Genre:  Jazz-Funk, Synth-pop

Label:  Polydor  

Catalog#  831 593-1

Vinyl:  Goed

Cover:  Lichte Gebruikerssporen

Prijs: €7,99

Level 42 - Standing In The Light (1983) - €10,00

Standing in the Light is the fourth studio album released by the British jazz-funk band Level 42. The album, released in 1983.
Standing in the Light was Level 42's first major success in the U.K., hitting the top ten in 1983 and beginning a string of successful recordings that would continue throughout the band's career. The band's previous releases were pleasant but somewhat tepid exercises in jazz-lite; Standing in the Light not only marked a significant change of direction, but proved Level 42 could truly be an ace pop band.

Level 42's first three releases Level 42 (1981), The Pursuit of Accidents (1982), and The Early Tapes (a compilation of material recorded in 1980, prior to the band's signing to Polydor) revealed a promising young band with undeniable talent and melodic instincts. Despite modest success with strong singles such as "Turn it On" and "The Chinese Way," pointless instrumentals and slick production added unnecessary weight to these albums.
Standing in the Light was different for two main reasons : the songs were shorter and more accessible, and for the first time, all the songs included vocals. The group began as an all-instrumental jazz outfit; in order for Level 42 to become more commercially viable, bassist Mark King and keyboardist Mike Lindup eventually began to open their mouths and sing.
Never a strong vocalist, King nevertheless was an engaging frontman, becoming more relaxed and self assured as the band's career progressed, while Lindup's falsetto backing vocals added a distinctive touch. "Micro Kid," the opening cut here, is a good example of their approach; the synth-heavy track also prominently features Lindup's brilliant keyboard work.
Produced by Larry Dunn and Verdine White of Earth, Wind and Fire (one of Level 42's obvious influences), Standing in the Light contains a number of strong tracks; the funky British top-ten hit "The Sun Goes Down" and the midtempo ballad "People" are highlights, and the band's amazing musicianship is always a pleasure to hear. Only the goofy "A Pharaoh's Dream (of Endless Time)" bogs down the album, and Mark King's trademark thumb-slapping bass playing technique makes even that tune worth hearing.
Like most early-to-mid 80's albums, Standing in the Light also suffers from a somewhat dated sound, but it is one of the most impressive offerings in Level 42's strong body of work.


Side A
A1. Micro-kid - 4:44
A2. The Sun Goes Down (Living It Up) - 4:15
A3. Out Of Sight, Out Of Mind - 5:12
A4. Dance On Heavy Weather - 4:27

Side B
B1. A Pharaoh’s Dream (Of Endless Time) - 4:21
B2. Standing In The Light - 3:42
B3. I Want Eyes - 4:59
B4. People - 4:55
B5. The Machine Stops - 4:15


Notes
Release:  1983
Format:  LP
Genre:  Jazz-Funk
Label:  Polydor Records
Catalog#  813865-1

Vinyl:   VG+
Cover:  VG+

Prijs: €10,00

Level 42 - The Pursuit Of Accidents (1982)

Side A
A1.  Weave Your Spell  (5:27)  
A2.  The Pursuit Of Accidents  (7:42)  
A3.  Last Chance  (4:29)  
A4.  Are You Hearing (What I Hear)?  (4:56) 

Side B
B1.  You Can't Blame Louis  (5:04)  
B2.  Eyes Waterfalling (The Prodigy)  (5:56)  
B3.  Shapeshifter  (5:05)  
B4.  The Chinese Way  (5:51)

Release: 1982
Label:  Polydor Records
Catalog#  2383649

order / bestellen € 10,00