What makes The Early Tapes – July/Aug 1980 by Level 42 notable?

This album is significant as it captures the band’s early experimentation with genres like jazz-funk and new wave, paving the way for their later mainstream success. It also features tracks that would become staples in their live performances, influencing the burgeoning sophisti-pop scene of the early 1980s. Released in 1982, 'The Early Tapes – July/Aug 1980' came during Level 42's formative years, shortly before their breakthrough album 'Standing in the Light'. This compilation showcases their early sound, blending dance-rock and jazz influences, while marking a pivotal evolution in their musical style as they began to develop a dedicated fanbase.