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Nothing to do with Elvis. This is bass thumping Mark King of jazz funk pioneering Level 42.
They were the band that made fluffy car dice almost cool again. Having started out playing mainly jazz funk instrumentals Level 42 eventually found a greater audience with pop friendly hits like Chinese Way, Running in the Family and Lessons In Love.
During Thatcher’s Britain in the 80s Level 42 became a soundtrack of the yuppie and blossoming mobile phone generation.
They also gained a reputation as a live band, mainly because of front man Mark King’s slapping bass style.
But by the mid-90s band line-up changes and falling record sales saw the group disband with Mark King and Mike Lindup heading on solo careers.
It seems, however, you can’t keep a good band down and Level 42 are back. A new greatest hits album will be followed by a brand new studio CD, Retroglide, due in September.
And the group’s taking to the road again later in the year with a gig at the Royal Concert Hall in Nottingham on 22nd October 2006.
Nigel Bell’s been talking to Mark King about:-
- Going back on the road
- Is there still a place for Level 42 in 2006?
- The sound remains the same twenty years on
- New product / old product
- Writing as a 40something
- Favourite songs
- Thumb exercises
Level 42 play Nottingham’s Royal Concert Hall on 22nd October 2006. Ticket details on 0115 989 5555.