Level 42 Vinyl Records

Level 42 began as a UK jazz-funk band on Polydor before becoming one of the biggest British pop acts of the mid-1980s. The shift was helped along by Mark King's slap-bass playing — one of the most-imitated bass styles of the decade — and Mike Lindup's keyboard work. Their commercial peak with World Machine and Running in the Family produced singles that remain radio staples four decades later.

The records have a particularly bass-forward mix that vinyl handles much better than digital compression — Mark King's playing in particular benefits.

Best Level 42 Albums on Vinyl

World Machine (1985)
— Their commercial breakthrough. "Something About You", "Leaving Me Now", "Coup d'Etat".

Running in the Family (1987)
— The follow-up and their biggest album. The title track, "Lessons in Love", "It's Over".

Standing in the Light (1983)
— The jazz-funk-to-pop pivot. Produced by Wally Badarou and Larry Dunn. "The Sun Goes Down (Living It Up)".

Level 42 (1981)
— The self-titled debut. Pure jazz-funk; the foundation of everything that followed.

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Browse Level 42 by genre:

PopRockSoul, Funk & R&B