Level 42 - Lessons In Love: The Essential Level 42 (2017)

UK Import

A 3 disc, 48 track budget compilation of the band's work on the Polydor label (1981-88). We're missing the group's '90s work on the RCA label but no matter. There's some pop, some dance tunes, some jazz-funk cuts, and some instrumentals. While certainly some tracks are better than others and I prefer the earlier stuff, there's really no stinkers here, making it a very enjoyable listen and a great deal - I paid $8.99 for this set; your mileage may vary.

Like many Americans, I first heard of Level 42 in 1986 when their fantastic single Something About You hit the charts and airwaves. I immediately went out and bought the World Machine album on which it appeared. I later picked up their debut album and that eventually led me to this compilation, which is highly recommended, especially at the previously mentioned price point.

The group's eight studio albums released during the group's Polydor era are well-represented here. To wit:

• Level 42 (1981): 7 of 8 tracks
• The Early Tapes/Strategy (1982): 4/8
• The Pursuit Of Accidents (1982): 4/8
• Standing In The Light (1983): 5/9
• True Colours (1984): 6/9
• World Machine (1985): 5/10
• Running In The Family (1987): 6/8
• Staring At The Sun (1988): 5/10

Peak on the US Billboard Top 200 chart: Did not chart

Tracks:

CD One (74:47)
Song	Album	Year	UK chart
Lessons In Love	Running In The Family	1986	3
Running In The Family	Running In The Family	1987	6
The Chinese Way	The Pursuit Of Accidents	1983	24
Turn It On	Level 42	1981	57
Love Meeting Love	The Early Tapes/Strategy	1980	61
True Believers	True Colours	1984	-
Two Hearts Collide	Staring At The Sun	1988	-
Leaving Me Now	World Machine	1985	15
Forty Two	single b-side	1981	-
Weave Your Spell	The Pursuit Of Accidents	1982	43
Why Are You Leaving?	Level 42	1981	-
Mr. Pink	The Early Tapes/Strategy	1980	-
I Sleep On My Heart	World Machine	1985	-
Starchild (Remix)	Level 42	1981	47
The Chant Has Begun	True Colours	1984	41
Seven Days	True Colours	1984	-

CD Two (78:10)
Song	Album	Year	UK chart
Something About You	World Machine	1985	6
The Sun Goes Down (Living It Up)	Standing In The Light	1983	10
(Flying On The) Wings Of Love	The Early Tapes/Strategy	1980	-
It's Over (Remix)	Running In the Family	1987	10
Are You Hearing (What I Hear)?	The Pursuit Of Accidents	1982	49
Tracie	Staring At The Sun	1989	25
To Be With You Again	Running In The Family	1987	10
"43"	Level 42	1981	-
Out Of Sight Out Of Mind	Standing In The Light	1983	41
World Machine	World Machine	1985	-
Dance On Heavy Weather	Standing In The Light	1983	-
Take Care Of Yourself	Level Best	1989	39
Heathrow	Level 42	1981	-
A Floating Life	True Colours	1984	-
Take A Look	Staring At The Sun	1988	32
Foundation And Empire	single b-side	1981	-

CD Three (78:03)
Song	Album	Year	UK chart
Hot Water	True Colours	1984	18
Micro Kid	Standing In The Light	1983	37
Children Say	Running In The Family	1987	22
Love Games	Level 42	1981	38
Standing In The Light	Standing In The Light	1983	-
Heaven In My Hands	Staring At The Sun	1988	12
You Can't Blame Louis	The Pursuit Of Accidents	1982	-
Sandstorm	The Early Tapes/Strategy	1980	-
Kansas City Milkman (Live)	A Physical Presence	1985	-
Can't Walk You Home	single b-side	1983	-
Dune Tune	Level 42	1981	-
Hours By The Window	True Colours	1984	-
Good Man In A Storm	World Machine	1985	-
The Sleepwalkers	Running In The Family	1987	-
The Return Of The Handsome Rugged Man	single b-side	1982	-
Staring At The Sun	Staring At The Sun	1988	-

The group only managed two Top 40 hits in the US: Something About You (#7) and Lessons In Love (#12).

Personal Memory Associated with this CD: None

Previously revisited for the blog:
Level 42 (1981)