Level 42 took the 80s by storm with their brand of bass driven jazz funk that came from the underground soul scene of wedge hair cuts, pegged trousers, sharp shoes and soul patrols. They led a band of UK 'funksters' and soul acts that for a time changed the face of the street scene in Britain, dovetailing with the start of the commercial New Romantic movement, Two Tone and the dying embers of punk.
Level 42 clearly became the most influential of all the British acts but the likes of Incognito, Light of the World, Lynx, and Beggar and Co to name just four, made their indelible mark and gave the scene an identity which allowed mainstream radio to embrace more easily the infectious bass lines that were the hallmark of Mark King and Level 42 for a decade and beyond.
The band's Stanley Clarke influenced riffs became synonymous with the 80s as much a part of the decade's culture as shoulder pads, puffed hair, red braces and the rubiks cube, but the revolution started in the Isle of Wight when Mark King, Phil and Roland Gould and the all important keyboard electricity of Mike Lindup joined forces and were soon spotted by inde label Elite then subsequently by label giants Polydor.
1981 saw them breakthrough into the hearts and minds of all soul- funk lovers with Turn it on, Love Games and Starchild, these underground hits cemented their arrival as a true musical force and paved the way for a period of sustained hits that marked them down as one of the decades most revered live acts.
Their success in record and ticket sales, chart positions and awards is only half the story, the band left a legacy amongst a generation of 70s teenagers who had been bought up on US funk and disco that their was life on the UK scene with home grown acts ; their music has been regularly remixed and they continue to have their bass lines and keyboard melodies interpreted by present day acts.
Mark King is an amazing bassist with an amazingly good heart! His response to Heather's videos was touching to many people including myself. Merry Christmas to Level 42!
This is a promotion run by microsoft and reverb nation which is paying artists directly so you can download free tracks each week. Dead Radio is one of those tracks THIS week so please download. Each download counts as a 'vote' to get that song featured on next week's update so even if you have it already please download if you can, and let anyone else know who may be interested (point them to http://www.reverbnation.com/playlist7?artist_id=273134 )
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All of Robert's and my best wishes to all of you for a Wonderful Christmas and a Fantastic New Year!!! 
ciao .
