For the first time ever, here are photos of all 6 copies of the Level 42 holy grail. ‘Strategy’ is the album Andy Sojka recorded for his Elite Records label which was intended to be the first LP. Unfortunately he only had a 6 month contract with the band and Polydor snapped them up, recording and releasing the eponymous debut record in 1981 (that was nearly called ‘Love Meeting Love’ by the way!). When the Polydor record hit the top 20 in the U.K. album charts, Sojka threatened to release the earlier recordings on Elite, as ‘Strategy’. He got as far as the test pressing stage. Only six were made before Polydor paid him £25,000 to cease and desist. Consequently the test pressings became highly sought after and, during my years following the band and writing my book, I tracked down all six copies. And here they are! I suspect there may be at least a seventh! #level42 #britfunk #jazzfunk
Mark King told us the Level 42 instrumental ‘Sandstorm’ was originally named ‘Shot In The Cringe’, which was a reference to a sketch on The Goon Show, a comedy show that was broadcast by the BBC. Before becoming ‘Sandstorm’ it was also known as ‘Shot In The Head’. #britfunk #level42 #level42band #jazzfunk Thanks winman42 for the video.
‘Woman’ is a Mike Lindup composition. Earlier this month he told us “I remember composing ‘Woman’ on the piano at home whilst I was still a student at Guildhall School of Music, and that tune along with ‘Wings of Love’ being my first complete compositional offerings to the group when we started looking for tunes for the first album (Early Tapes).” The track was recorded live in the studio at Hillside in 1980, with Andy Sojka, originally for an Elite Records release. It was played live at The Central pub in Gillingham in 1981 and has not been performed since. It has a lovely Latin-jazz feel to it and you can hear Mike’s influences clearly.
Thanks for the support and enthusiasm for our project @gillespeterson and @wally_badarou_official . It means everything. #britfunk #prophet5 #korg #level42band #level42
Originally named ‘Dr. Sphincter Funk’, Level 42’s ‘Mr. Pink’ was not deemed good enough by Elite Records boss, Andy Sojka, Mark King told Daryl Easlea (who wrote the sleevenotes for the recent Level 42 box sets. So much so, he was thinking of drafting in session musicians to beef the sound up! The clip and its audio are from 2018, when I had the ‘Strategy’ mastertapes digitally transferred. They sounded incredible! #britfunk #jazzfunk #level42 #level42band
When I was working on ‘The Polydor Years 1980-1984’ CD box set by @level42official , Phil Gould spoke to Daryl Easlea about how ‘Dune Tune’ is arguably the best example of the original Level 42 sound on record. He explained “when you listen to the outro, it’s so tight and we were so hot. These oiks from the Isle of Wight’ had world class! Mark’s playing is beautiful—just the feel—and Mike’s playing in the groove section; the chords’. It was regularly played live before performances of ‘Love Games’, with one song segueing into the other. Musically it owes a debt to bassist Stanley Clarke and particularly the tracks ‘Desert Song’ (Dune Tune?) and ‘Jamaican Boy’. #britfunk #level42 #level42band #jazzfunk
“Level 42 are so excited to be playing the Isle of Wight Festival 2026 and look forward to bringing their music home at last.” – Mark King (Caulkhead)
Find out more and get your tickets here:
isleofwightfestival.com
#SkyxIOW #IOW2026
Released in March on Cherry Red Records, The Later Years – 2001-2020. A new 7CD box set featuring the albums from 2000-2021, including a plethora of remixes, B-Sides and rare tracks.
Pre-order here: https://cherryred.co/L42LaterYears
🎸 LEVEL 42 – LIVE at Discovery Festival 2026! 🎉
📍 Dundee, Slessor Gardens, Scotland
📅 Saturday 25 July 2026
LEVEL 42 are heading to Dundee to performant at the Discovery Festival, taking place 24–26 July 2026!
The 80s are calling… and we’re ready to answer 🔥
🎟 Ticket link: https://bit.ly/4nNLbP4
#Level42 #DiscoveryFestival #Dundee #LiveMusic #80sCalling #ConcertAnnouncement
🎶 Beauty of the Bassline 🎶
Join Mark King (Level 42) and Omar for a special evening of musical insight at V&A South Kensington on Friday, 12 December 2025 (18:30–19:30). They’ll explore the power and charm of the bassline — its role in driving rhythm, shaping anticipation, and anchoring popular music.
This talk is part of the lead-up to the opening of V&A East (spring 2026), where the exhibition The Music Is Black: A British Story will be featured.
🎟 Tickets: £12–£15
📍 Location: Lydia & Manfred Gorvy Lecture Theatre, V&A, London
✅ Members’ priority booking from 1 October; general booking opens 6 October
🔥 Book now: vam.ac.uk/event/VjB8ZEezYZ/beauty-of-the-bassline
Don’t miss this rare chance to hear two music icons reflect on the heartbeat of songs.
