Hmmm... apparently Me'shell was influenced by him as well. I'm in two minds
about Level 42...
Firstly if it wasn't for them, along with Light Of The World, I may never
have really gotten into the music I have. When I was 15, I used to dig Rush
(the bass playing again, huh?) When I was 16, I was starting to check out
some of the jazzier tracks on my Dad's Santana records, and my Mum's copy
of "Songs In The Key Of Life". Then (via the soul-boy crew at my school) I
heard two records - "London Town" by LOTW, and Level 42's first LP - and I
knew I could never go back. My jazz-funk epiphany, if you like.
But Level 42 disappointed so quickly. 1st album - wonderful. Early Tapes -
likewise. Oh, and live... amazing. But then... 2nd album - some great
tracks, but... uh-oh... "The Chinese Way"? "Weave Your Spell"?
Getouttahere! The 3rd LP killed the remaining Level 42 fan in me, but by
then I was listening to so much other stuff that I didn't care that much.
Bought some later stuff, out of curiousity, and they've had their moments -
but not many.
There's a lot of stuff I first got into around that time for which my
appreciation has steadily grown over the years - but not Level 42. I still
listen to their early stuff, and I still like it, but... well.. it's not
"Headhunters" exactly, is it?
..Mark..
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Mark Allerton Mark@warmspot.compulink.co.uk
http://www.compulink.co.uk/~warmspot/