Level 42 - True Colours (1984)

You can see there are plenty of genres. This is because Level 42 evolved from Fusion / Jazz-rock into more pop orientated group. Some traces are still present though in later periods they were orientated more to mainstream. Giving you pretty similar review as with previous Level 42 album I hope you don't mind much. Their style was brought to the top and polished, they enjoyed their peak at that time.

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Wikipedia: Level 42 are an English pop rock and jazz-funk band. The group had a number of worldwide and UK hits during the 1980s and 1990s. The origin of the band's name has been variously described as being inspired by a sign in a lift in a very tall building in the US; the top level of the biggest car-park in the world, in Japan; the floor on which Jonathan Pryce's character resides in the film Brazil (which was released long after the band gained international recognition); or after Tower 42 (also known as the NatWest Tower) the tallest building in the City of London. King and Boon Gould decided the band should be called simply by a number, and they both favoured '88' - the number of the bus they used to catch to the recording studio. However, Lindup and Phil Gould saw a poster for a band called Rocket 88 so their idea was abandoned (although '88' was later used as a song title). King and Gould both claim to have been reading Douglas Adams' comical science fiction novel, The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy wherein the Answer to Life, the Universe, and Everything, is '42'. Therefore '42' was suggested as a name for the band. The band gained fame for its high calibre musicianship, especially that of Mark King, whose percussive slap bass guitar technique provided the driving groove of many of the band's hits. They are also known for the combination of King's lead vocals and keyboard player Mike Lindup's falsetto backing vocals. After originally disbanding in 1994, the band reformed in 2001. The 1984 album True Colours veered between funk, power pop, mid-tempo rock and moody ballads. It yielded the singles "The Chant Has Begun" and "Hot Water". The latter was a Top 20 hit in Britain and a Top 5 hit in the Netherlands where the band became very popular (the song reached also #7 in Belgium). During the same year, Mark King released his first solo album Influences on which he played the majority of the instruments (with Lindup guesting on additional keyboards and an appearance by Aswad's Drummie Zeb). By this time, Level 42 were reknowned for their power as a live band (as showcased on the 1984 double live album A Physical Presence). For live gigs the band added Krys Mach, who toured with the group from 1984 to 1988 and contributed to some album recordings. Both King and Lindup have been quoted (King in the magazine Record Collector, Lindup at level42.com) saying they are considering releasing a new studio album. This would possibly consist of new acoustic versions of Level 42 songs, following the band's success in performing acoustic shows on various European radio shows in 2006 while promoting Retroglide. Two notable points in these live radio performances were King singing and playing acoustic guitar (along with his brother Nathan), instead of his trademark bass playing, with both Lindup and Husband performing on acoustic pianos. This possible "acoustic" album was also mentioned in syndicated radio interviews. On various fan sites, there are rumours that King, Lindup, Husband and the other members of Level 42 are working on new material, co-writing with both Boon Gould and Wally Badarou again, with a view to recording a new album, possibly for release in 2009. The band is contracted to deliver a further two albums to Universal Music subsidiary W14 Music, as part of a Distribution deal signed prior to the release of Retroglide in 2006.

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You can find some material related to this group here, @ allmusic, @ Wiki, @ homepage or simply @ here.

Tracklisting:
1. The Chant Has Begun
2. Kansas City Milkman
3. Seven Days
4. Hot Water
5. A Floating Life
6. True Believers
7. My Hero
8. Kouyate'
9. Hours By The Window

Reviews for this album are to be found @ allmusic or @ level42, besides any others you may find elsewhere.

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Other Level 42 releases:
Level 42 - World Machine (1985)
Level 42 - Running In The Family {24-bit Remastered 2000} (1987)
Level 42 - Staring At The Sun {24-bit Remastered 2000} (1988)