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MUSIC: Level 42, Opera House, Saturday
1/10/2008
At the height of Level 42’s popularity, back in the Eighties, it was reported that their bass player Mark King had signed an unprecedented insurance policy – he’d insured his thumb for an incredible one million pounds.
Such stories underline exactly how much Level 42 were regarded as phenomenal world-class musicians. For much of the decade, the London-based band were the undisputed champions of super-cool funk pop, selling 40 million records worldwide.
Singer/bassist Mark King, in particular, has become something of a god for geeky bass guitar fanatics, his unique and inventive slap-and-pop bass technique defining the group’s smooth funk sound.
But they also had the songs to match the dazzling musicality. First formed in 1980, Level 42 married good pop tunes to the minority interest of jazz-funk and became unexpected pop stars. They managed a 14-year run of chart hits and established a solid worldwide fan base to this very day, despite the continual sniffiness of music critics.
After disbanding in 1994 – with Mark King enjoying a successful solo career – Level 42 reformed in 2001 much to the delight of funk fanatics across the globe.
Currently touring the world before they record their 12th studio album, don’t be surprised if these funk gods take out another insurance policy on those magical fingers.
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