True Colours (1984)
Level 42 was steadily perfecting and evolving their dance/pop, funk, and rock mix during the ’80s, and when they hit the big time, the label began reissuing their earlier, less successful material. It’s hard to understand why this didn’t do as well as later albums like World Machine, Running in the Family, and Staring at the Sun, although the obvious reason would be that no singles ever broke that compared with the ones from those releases. But it was just as well produced, the songs were almost as cutely performed, and the arrangements are very similar. (AMG)
Tracks:
1. The Chant Has Begun
2. Kansas City Milkman
3. Seven Days
4. Hot Water
5. A Floating Life
6. True Believers
7. My Hero
8. Kouyaté
9. Hours By The Window
**Listen**
Level 42 – True Colours (1984)
Diciembre 1, 2008 a 11:50 pm (Funk, Pop)
Level 42 – World Machine (1985)
Diciembre 1, 2008 a 11:46 pm (Funk, Pop)
World Machine (1985)
Level 42 was one of Britain’s most successful bands by the time World Machine was released in 1986, but U.S. success was elusive. But that changed with the engaging single “Something About You,” which became a Top Ten hit in America and sent this album soaring into the Top 20. World Machine pushes their newfound radio-friendly sound into the forefront, and the result is one of the finest pop albums of the mid-’80s. “Something About You” exemplifies Level 42’s sound at the peak of its success. Bassist Mark King’s vocals, while limited in range, are soulful and yearning, while keyboardist Mike Lindup’s complimentary falsetto backing vocals add just the right ingredient to the mix. Given the group’s original guise as an all-instrumental jazz combo, the musicianship is brilliant, and “Something About You” proves how good a song can sound coming from the radio. Unlike most albums that contain one strong single surrounded by duds, World Machine has more than its share of fine tunes. The jazzy, upbeat title track is one of the band’s finest moments, the should’ve-been-a-hit “Leaving Me Now” is an effective ballad, and the midtempo “Good Man in a Storm” is catchy and thought-provoking. While not perfect — “Physical Presence” drags, and “It’s Not the Same for Us” is a bit too cutesy for its own good — World Machine is the most successful album in Level 42’s career, both in terms of sales and quality.
Tracks:
1. World Machine
2. Physical Presence
3. Something About You
4. Leaving Me Now
5. I Sleep On My Heart
6. It’s Not the Same for Us
7. Dream Crazy
8. Good Man in a Storm
9. Coup D’Etat
10. Lying Still
**Listen**
Instant Funk – The Funk Is On (1980)
Diciembre 1, 2008 a 12:30 am (Funk)
The Funk Is On (1980)
Instant Funk came out of New Jersey consisting of Raymond Earl, Scotty Miller and guitarist Kim Miller. The group was then called The Music Machine and they were very successful as a back-up band for The Manhattans, Bunny Sigler and also the TNJs. Throughout their careers, Instant Funk would be the back-up band for many stars, including Lou Rawls, Loleatta Holloway, The O’Jays, MFSB, Curtis Mayfield and Evelyn Champagne King (they are the backing band on the hit single, “Shame”). The group relocated to Philadelphia in 1976 to release its first album, Get Down With the Philly Jump, as they started to formulate their own sound. The group followed this album up with a release for former MFSB guitarist Norman Harris’ new record label Gold Mind, with front man Bunny Sigler entitled “Let Me Party With You”.
The Gold Mind label folded, and Instant Funk’s new cut “I Got My Mind Made Up” was transferred to the Salsoul label, which pushed the record heavily to all of the disco clubs. The remix of this song by club DJ Larry Levan and engineer Bob Blank quickly became the talk of Manhattan. “I Got My Mind Made Up” hit #1 on both the R&B and disco charts and #20 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the spring of 1979. The group’s eponymous first album on Salsoul was also a hit, reaching #1 R&B and being certified gold disc status. Instant Funk initially stayed together to tour ahen Salsoul folded. They eventually disbanded, and Bunny Sigler went on to perform as part of The Trammps.
On their third Salsoul album, The Funk Is On, Philly soul band Instant Funk shows an acute pop music sensibility. But funk fans need not worry, this album lives up to its title; the band still funks. The title track single, written by Brass Construction’s Randy Muller, is pure, unadulterated funk. The same could be said for the gritty “You Want My Love.” The second single, “Everybody,” has a serious bounce groove along the lines of Zapp’s “More Bounce to the Ounce” or Vaughn Mason’s “Bounce, Skate, Rock, Roll.” The Larry Levan 12″ extended remix clocked in at 8:47 and features Jack Faith’s dynamic arrangement and James Carmichael’s arousing guttural groans towards the track’s climax. The funny, plucky “Funk-n-Roll” has yodels. The snappy “It’s Cool” is a skater’s favorite and shows off some deft guitar and bass. The third single was the sweet, simmering ballad “What Can I Do for You” that should have given the band its first hit ballad. Producer Bunny Sigler shows the band’s lighter side on the melodic, swing jazz-flavored “Can You See Where I’m Coming From” and the upbeat “You’re Not Getting Older.” The Funk Is On gives Instant Funk fans what they want and a little bit more.
Tracks:
1. It’s Cool
2. Funk Is On
3. Funk ‘n’ Roll
4. You Want My Love
5. What Can I Do For You
6. Everybody
7. Can You See Where I’m Coming From
8. You’re Not Getting Older
Bonus
9. Everybody (12″ Mix Salsoul by Larry Levan)
**Listen**
