LEVEL HEADED

One of the most successful British bands of the Eighties, Level 42 are also arguably the ultimate fusion unit, streamlining their energetic early jazz-funk sound into slick, effortlessly soulful pop music. Encompassing 11 studio albums, including 20 UK top 40 hits and two US top 20 singles, their catalogue in many ways defines the decade, but also reflects their musical virtuosity and vibrant eclecticism, peppering tracks with influences from Herbie Hancock, Return To Forever, Jimi Hendrix and the Mahavishnu Orchestra.

1985’s ‘plan’ had worked superbly. The album had been a solid magazine about some of the pressures involved: “There was a time when I’ve had to sink a lot of drink to be able to drop off to sleep on a Monday night. And then on Tuesday morning you get a call at 10 o’clock to say that the single’s stayed where it was. And that’s it. The world hates us...”