PRE-ORDER: This item will be shipped with the aim to deliver on release day.
Format Details:
Release Date: 25 April 2025
Label: Proper Records
Packaging Type: Slip Sleeve (CD or Vinyl)
No of Units: 1
Barcode: 805520240987
Description
Level 42's 1987 "Running In The Family" album is being re-issued by Proper / UMC and is presented with scrupulous attention to the detail of the original UK first pressings and available in audiophile 180g red vinyl.
If 1985's World Machine captured Level 42 on the brink of stardom, then Running In The Family turned them into arena-filling superstars, amazing for a group who, at their core, were far more Mahavishnu Orchestra than Dire Straits. Its success is amazing for an album that started by accident: At the beginning of 1986, "Something About You" had gone Top 10 in the States and Level 42 were spending a great deal of time there. Polydor requested that the group come up with some new singles to promote in the UK, so Mark King went to his home studio and came up with "Lessons In Love"; a song that began the process of the album.
It was quickly apparent that "Lessons In Love" was a hit. And it was proved to be, becoming the group's biggest international success. As recording then began formally, with new song "Running In The Family", it was clear they had a follow up and title track for their next album. Released in March 1987, Running In The Family entered the UK chart at No 2 and spent over a year on the listings as subsequent singles "To Be With You Again", touching ballad "It's Over" and "Children Say" kept the album's profile high. The group's populist jazz-funk-pop was at its peak; the electric dance track "Fashion Fever" and the swaying "Two Solitudes" added to this commercial sound.
Description
This 2CD set celebrates Level 42's 1987 third Top 10 album "Running In The Family", produced with Wally Badarou. The Album entered the chart at #2, in a race with U2's "The Joshua Tree".
"Running In The Family" features five hit singles, with four of them reaching the UK Top 10, led by 'Lessons In Love' which was their highest charting UK single and their biggest hit, reached #1 in five countries including Germany and Spain, 'Running In The Family', 'To Be With You Again', 'It's Over' and 'Children Say'.
CD1 contains the original album, while CD2 features a selection of 7" edits, 12" extended versions, remixes and B-sides,
A Foreword has been written by Simon Carson and Paul Waller, with the latter being the author of the book "LEVEL 42: a Worldwide Visual Discography".
The booklet contains album lyrics, as well as photos of the singles released from the album.
Level 42 remain one of the greatest draws on the live circuit and continue to perform worldwide, 45 years after forming.
Founded in late-1979, Level 42 rose from the burgeoning UK Jazz-Funk scene, to international stardom.
Signed by the small independent label, Elite Records in 1980, whilst still a mainly instrumental group, Level 42 were encouraged to widen their appeal with their songwriting and quickly established themselves as a powerful live band on the budding British and European jazz-funk scene.
Their single 'Love Meeting Love' attracted the attention of Polydor Records, with whom they signed their second recording contract, which launched their chart success with twenty UK Top 40 Singles and twelve Top 40 Albums.
Tracklisting
Level 42
Level 42
You Me At Six
Lighthouse Family
John Cale
John Cale
John Cale
Shed Seven
Level 42
Level 42
Level 42
Level 42
Level 42
Level 42
Level 42
