Top tracks — play these first
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Lessons in Love — This track epitomizes Level 42's signature sound with its infectious chorus and blend of jazz-funk elements, making it a staple of their live performances.
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Something About You — With its memorable melody and sophisticated production, this song showcases the band's knack for combining catchy hooks with intricate musical textures.
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Running in the Family — This track reflects the band's exploration of personal themes set against a backdrop of rhythmic grooves, highlighting their lyrical depth and musical finesse.
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Hot Water — Featuring an upbeat tempo and engaging instrumentation, this song demonstrates Level 42's ability to create danceable tracks without sacrificing lyrical substance.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
This compilation captures Level 42's stylistic range but lacks the cohesive flow of a studio album.
What we noticed
- Several tracks incorporate complex bass lines and syncopated rhythms, characteristic of the jazz-funk genre.
- The final track is a remixed version of an earlier song, which adds a modern touch to the compilation.
- Composition 25% of the score
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6/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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7/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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5/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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4/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- steady grooves for upbeat moods
- dance-friendly tracks with flow
- nostalgic vibes from the 80s
- sing-along moments with friends
- for joyful gatherings
Maybe skip if you
- prefer heavy, intense sound
- seek immediate musical impact
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in 1998, this compilation album represents a retrospective of Level 42's career during their peak years in the 1980s and early 1990s. At this point, the band had already established themselves as prominent figures in the UK music scene with hits like Lessons in Love and Something About You. The album serves as a summary of their evolution, showcasing their unique ability to merge genres.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Jamiroquai· Earth, Wind & Fire· Chic
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Love Games 4:14
- 2 The Chinese Way 4:03
- 3 The Sun Goes Down (Living It Up) 3:46
- 4 Micro Kid 3:49
- 5 Hot Water 3:37
- 6 The Chant Has Begun 4:19
- 7 Something About You 3:45
- 8 Leaving Me Now 3:35
- 9 Lessons in Love 4:02
- 10 Running in the Family 3:58
- 11 To Be With You Again 3:56
- 12 It’s Over 4:41
- 13 Children Say 4:28
- 14 Heaven in My Hands 4:08
- 15 Take a Look 4:43
- 16 Tracie 3:25
- 17 Guaranteed 3:51
- 18 Forever Now 4:16
- 19 The Sun Goes Down (Living It Up) (’98 mix) 4:00
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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