Evergreen pop/jazz/funk group Level 42 release The Later Years – 2001-2020. It boasts all of the studio albums from that time period and a selection of versions of some of their popular chart hits.

LEVEL 42

The Isle of Wight’s greatest export since the hovercraft, and possibly even greater than a Vectis shaped glass jar full of layers of coloured sand, evergreen pop/jazz/funk group Level 42 have released a new boxed set of musical delights, entitled “The Later Years – 2001-2020”. It boasts all of the studio albums from that time period and a selection of versions of some of their popular chart hits.

If the title sounds familiar then you might know that the band released another similar set in 2023 entitled “The Later Years 1991–1998”.

So, what’s in the box? The aforementioned delights are as follows…

Retroglide

I should point out that it is the accompanying press release which states all of the Level 42 albums from 2000 – 2021 in their original glory. A cursory glance at the band’s discography will reveal that all of their albums are actually one album, Retroglide, unless you count an EP as an album in which case Sirens makes all two albums released since 1994. Still, not to split hairs, Retroglide will delight any fans of Mark King’s bass slapping and Mike Lindup’s silky harmonies.

The first track, Dive into the Sun, does sound remarkably similar to Thomas Dolby’s Hyperactive. The single from the album, The Way Back Home, released in 2006, sadly failed to make it into the official charts but, hell, what does that prove? It’s still a good song, showing Level 42 at a more mature level of songwriting.

Sleep Talking is squarely in the centre of Level 42 territory with its bouncing funky bass line and jazz chord progressions. All I Need is a lilting waltz reminiscent of Leaving Me Now. All in all, a worthy listen.

Acoustic

Ask anyone who has heard of Level 42 what defines their sound and they’ll probably refer to Mark King’s funky, frenetic, twanging bass rhythms. Take those away and what do you have? Well, you have King and Lindup’s harmonies and the essence of songs ranging from the most successful single release Lessons in Love to the interesting adaptation of To Be With You Again.

That particular song has transformed from a late 80s glamorously produced upbeat power ballad to something more… folky? It certainly changes the tone of the lyrics and wouldn’t sound out of place when played on a lute to a medieval royal court. It shows an understanding of the compositions which is interesting and at times surprising.

Without the familiar Level 42 instrumental backup, the heart-wrenching melodies and sentiments of songs such as Two Solitudes and It’s Over hit a little harder. It turns out that there’s a lot of angst hiding behind that energetic, funky front.

THE Sirens EP

First released in 2013, Sirens is a six track set of traditional Level 42 fayre, jumping bass notes, synth slides, sparkling production and punchy jazz stabs from the brass section. It’s everything that you could want from the band, apart from maybe another four tracks or so.

It all makes you wonder what happened to such a fabulous band with such a distinctive sound? Well, the first split-up came in 1987 with founding brothers Phil and Boon Gould walking away due to the toll taken by the pressure of recording and touring along with the change of direction to a more chart friendly sound which made money but perhaps didn’t quite match the original artistic vision. Level 42 went through numerous iterations of members with Phil Gould rejoining and then leaving again.

The band announced their permanent dissolution in 1994 and King went solo for a while, getting the band back together as he found himself playing more and more of the ‘old stuff’ anyway. 2001 saw the return of Level 42 who meandered onwards both in the studio and on international tours. Lindup didn’t want to play live, then he did, and then in 2025 they thrilled the nation with a 40th anniversary tour of World Machine, covered previously by At The Barrier.

12” Singles & Remixes

Discs 4/5/6 are made up of various versions, singles and remixes from the period. On disc four are housed nine different versions of Starchild and two versions of Lessons In Love. I didn’t know that there were that many variations of bass beats and hand claps but there it is, a rich source of material for any DJ who wants to fill the dancefloor with something a bit retro, a bit housey, a bit funky and a lot good.

The thirteen versions of Lessons in Love which didn’t fit on to disc four adorn the fifth disc. The likes of Mischa Daniels, Sidechain and Shuttle Cox have run the essence of Level 42’s most popular hit through their drum machines and the result would keep you dancing all night. Well, for an hour and eight minutes anyway.

A bit more variety is in play on disc six with It’s Over and The Sun Goes Down. and another three versions of Starchild. These mixes would be perfect backgrounds to stylish cocktails in a glamorous bar overlooking an exotic city. Laid back, smooth, modern jazz, lounge lizard soundscapes.

RADIO EDITS

The final disc (7) is a set of radio edits, mainly of songs which can be found on Retroglide and Sirens. The penultimate track is an oddity, a cover for Need You Tonight by INXS. It seems strangely incongruous, following on from an overwhelming indulgence in pure Level 42.

A SOURCE OF INSIGHT

In all, 13 versions of Starchild and 16 versions of Lessons in Love could be said to be a bit much. Think of this more as a collector’s set, a source of insight for the serious student of the band’s creative story. It’s not a greatest hits compilation for the average listener. If you’re properly into Level 42 then you’ll definitely add this to your collection.

Level 42’s path hasn’t been a straight line. To read through it in detail, it’s all a very typical rock’n’ roll story of creative differences and the pressures of recording and touring. What’s notable is that the band’s roots go back to 1979 – a run of 47 years. Something must have kept them going, there must be something about the band’s music which motivates both them and their lifelong fans.

As the band themselves said, “There must be something about you, baby, so right.”

Level 42: Website

At The Barrier: Facebook / X / Instagram