From: Level42-request @ worldmachine.com (Level42 Digest) Subject: Level42 Digest V2000 #18 _ ____ _ ____ _ _ ___ // //__ // / //__ // /__// __// //__ //__ \\_/ //__ //__ // /__ D I G E S T Level42 Digest Volume 2000 : Issue 18 1175 subscribers Today's topics: Hughes Paul J Re: Level42 Digest V2000 #17 SED\ Hughes Paul J toothpaste Sem Hillenius Roland & Curt Reunion Rumor Pat Flanagan Andy Sojka obituary Mark McCormack I want a Jaydee! ZTAVENDL L42 in NYC, Fusion, Jan Hammer Winston Walker It's a small world after all...plus more on Cam>> Anthony Richards Re: Mahavishnu Orchestra Sean Green Re: Level42 Digest V2000 #16 TenthSun Re: Level42 Digest V2000 #17 TenthSun Matt Drudge and Jaydee basses greg joe daflos simin the magicien ------------------------------ Subject: From: Hughes Paul J Date: Fri, 10 Mar 2000 11:18:53 -0000 L()Z - try 'Beano's' in Croydon. They're the largest 2nd hand record store in Europe - if they haven't got them I'm sure they can ordered them for you. I dunno about the strange geezer in the 'Live at Wembley' video, but take a look at the 'Hot Water' video. There's a weirdo at the front, waving his arm in the air, dancing (if you can call it that!) completely out of time...I'm no Grant Santino (only those over 30 will remember World Disco Dancing Champion from 79/80), but I can cut a rug with the best of 'em. And to top it off, not only does he move like he's kacked his trollies, he's got a 'tache as well!! Whassat all about? I know it was 1984, but in my neck of the woods - SE London - this offensive piece of facial hair was never considered to be a 'must have' fashion accessory - even for die hard Jazz Funkers who frequented the watering holes of the Old Kent Road!!!! Keep on Funkin' and up the 'Ammers!!! HUGHSIE ------------------------------ Subject: Re: Level42 Digest V2000 #17 From: L.F.Green @ shu.ac.uk (Laurence F. GREEN\(SED\)) Date: Fri, 10 Mar 2000 11:29:42 +0000 Level42 @ worldmachine.com writes: >originally they planned on being an instrumental >band much like Hammer, until Mark was urged to sing more. I You say that - but out of the first 5 Level 42 singles, Mike was the main vocalist. Love Meeting Love - Mark Wings Of Love - Mike Love Games - Mark / Mike Turn It On - Mark / Mike Starchild - Mike Mike leads 3 - 2 Are You Hearing - Mark Weave Your Spell - Mike The Chinese Way - Mark Out Of Sight Out Of Mind - Mark / Mike The Sun Goes Down - Mike /Mark 5 all Even as far down the line as 'The SUn Goes Down the singing has been split evenly - after this Mark was the main vocalist in almost the singles. L()Z ------------------------------ Subject: From: Hughes Paul J Date: Fri, 10 Mar 2000 11:53:52 -0000 Can someone please send me copy of issues #16. Thanks, HUGHSIE ------------------------------ Subject: toothpaste From: Sem Hillenius Date: Fri, 10 Mar 2000 13:03:48 +0100 >I remember an extreme closeup of a woman stepping on a tube of toothpaste. >Great stuff! sounds like a very interesting clip indeed...some brainstorming session they must have had to come up with that. >We have sunshine, what do you have >History I too must admit having to laugh over this one. I am curious to know how long it took our ... mr Nightfly to come up with an answer like that ? Lisa is back on track and thanks to Jenny's latest posting now we all know Jenny's age. Isn't it great the Digest is back ? Oops. I promised myself I wouldn't say that. Sorry. Sam ------------------------------ Subject: Roland & Curt Reunion Rumor From: Pat Flanagan Date: Fri, 10 Mar 2000 09:16:17 -0600 >Good news: Roland and Curth are rejoining later this year, a new album is >expected in September or so. Nope, that's just a rumor. According to a few of the TFF websites, they had dinner together one night and must've been spotted by a reporter. It's just a rumor, they apparantly aren't getting back together. Roland's new album is either finished or close to. ____________________ Pat Flanagan PFPD -- newmedia marketing consulting a limited liability company PO Box 281, Granger, IN 46530-0281 v:616.663.2250 -- competitive business advantages through creative technology ------------------------------ Subject: Andy Sojka obituary From: Mark McCormack Date: Fri, 10 Mar 2000 14:58:13 +0000 From The Guardian, March 10 2000. Andy Sojka In 1979 Andy Sojka, who has died of multiple myeloma aged 48, formed, produced and recorded the five-strong music group, Atmosfear. The first fruit of the liaison was their single, Dancing In Outer Space. Thus did he pioneer a new British dance music. Dancing In Outer Space fused disco, funk, jazz and psychedelic production. It sold 100,000 copies ­ and the tune survives, still played and frequently sampled. Educated at Kingsbury high school, north London, in the late 1970s, Sojka opened All Ears, a dance music shop in Harlesden. It quickly became a focus for the 12in 45rpm dance single boom, which had begun in the United States. Many of the customers at All Ears were DJs buying American imports and the British releases that followed. After Dancing In Outer Space, in 1980 Sojka discovered and named Level 42, and signed them to his Elite label, producing their first single, Love Meeting Love, and The Early Tapes album. In the 1980s, Elite Records became a home for the new independent British dance music, and releases by DSM (Danny D), Beverley Skeete, Projection, Atmosfear, Sahara and many others featured regularly in the dance music charts. With his music championed by the late Larry Levan at the Paradise Garage Andy became a cult figure in New York. Between 1986-88 he worked with Garry Hughes, producing two experimental world music crossover albums. In 1987, a rhythm and blues label was formed. Its first release was Keni Stevensıs Blue Moods, a classic album of British soul music. In the mid-90s Andy established three new labels, Jump Cut, Meta4, and Chemical Discs, whose catalogue included such notable works as Atmosfearıs Trance Plants (1994) and Jangala Spirits (1997). His last major project was Altered Slates (1998), made with the US group, Masters at Work, the U2 producer Francois Kevorkian, and Dimitri from France. In 1999, he began writing Groove World, an album by Atmosfear due for release later this year. Sojka is survived by his wife, Karen, and two children. David Buttle Andy Sojka, record producer, born July 10 1951; died February 12 2000 ------------------------------ Subject: I want a Jaydee! From: "ZTAVENDL" Date: Fri, 10 Mar 2000 15:03:25 -0000 This is a just a quick note from Lee saying that if any body has any information about Jaydee's can they give me any addresses, websites any thing, and can somebody e-mail me to tell me if there is any shop anywhere that sells them. thanks ------------------------------ Subject: L42 in NYC, Fusion, Jan Hammer From: Winston Walker Date: Fri, 10 Mar 2000 10:07:40 -0500 Greetings. Just wanted to expand on Anthony's story about meeting the guys in NYC in 1987. I was at the Ritz show in 1986, and was waiting around the entrance. I even got a few pics with Phil and Mike. Mark and Boon came out quickly, and said a few hellos, then jumped in a cab. Phil and Mike hung around for at least 20 minutes, then walked off downtown. Phil advised us of the bands appearance on Saturday Night Live that coming weekend. I was hanging out with my band members at the time, and we were so damn excited to finally be seeing the band we had been listening to since the release of Starchild. We also were right up front , center stage, and Alandis, bass player of the band just stood there in awe of Mark King. He even walked away with Mark's thumb tape at the end of the gig. All in all a very memorable evening. I also returned for the 1987 show at the Ritz, and was in practically the same place, but didn't run into Tony. We still argue about the opening act. i dont recall an opening act, but Tony swears it was Jill Jones. :-) Speaking of the fusion influence, does anyone have a copy of the Jam Hammer track 'One To One'. I fell in love with this after hearing it played during a Mark King radio interview. I have a few Jan albums, but sadly not this one. Winston ------------------------------ Subject: It's a small world after all...plus more on Cameo From: "Anthony Richards" Date: Fri, 10 Mar 2000 10:32:07 -0500 Tianna, It's a small world indeed! It seems that many of us Levelheads that have come to know each other over the years were previously at the same place at the same time in years past. When I actually met Winston for the first time, I found out that we had been a few feet away from each other at The Ritz show in 1987. It's too bad about Bay Street burning down. I remember it as a pretty cool place to see a show. Although Level 42 almost burned the house down that night with their incindiary performance :) Wow, there seems to be a lot of interest in Cameo out there. I also like the video for "She's Strange". Everybody say ooooooooow! Here's an interesting bit of trivia for you. The legendary, late great jazz trumpeter (and IMHO the creator of jazz fusion) Miles Davis appears in the video for cameo's single "Back & Forth" (from the Word Up cd). It seems that Larry Blackmon's father Lee and Miles were friends. I believe that Lee was either a boxer or a trainer, and Miles had a passion for boxing. Miles Davis also appears on the Cameo cd Machismo on the song "In The Night". Machismo is actually one of cameo's best cds IMHO. Everybody have a groovalicious weekend. I'm outta here. A-B-C-ya! "Funky T", a.k.a. Anthony Richards Account Executive/Rainbow Interactive (516) 803-9776 (voice), (516) 396-8742 (fax) arichards @ cablevision.com (e-mail) Visit us @ www.news12.com & www.ezseek.com ------------------------------ Subject: Re: Mahavishnu Orchestra From: Sean Green Date: Fri, 10 Mar 2000 09:36:49 -0600 Hello friends, Nice to see some talk about the Mahavishnu Orchestra!! Great! There are a LOT of relationships here -- just one more to take notice of: Billy Cobham!! One of Mark's fave drummers, Billy was in M.O. It was because of my meeting with Billy that came to know more about, and find greater interest in, Level 42. Funny how things like that come full circle?!!? Anyhow, for those of you that are wanting to hear some GREAT music, and don't know what M.O. CDs to look into, I will make a couple of suggestions - "Birds of Fire," and "Visions of the Emerald Beyond." Both are superb addendum to anyone's collection. Guaranteed!! ;) In fact, I have a VERY rare promo poster of M.O. on thick backing that is from around '73. It was given to me by a friend of my dads. Cool picture to say the least! Take care all! ~Sean ------------------------------ Subject: Re: Level42 Digest V2000 #16 From: TenthSun @ aol.com Date: Fri, 10 Mar 2000 12:59:55 EST In a message dated 3/9/00 5:59:10 AM Eastern Standard Time, Level42-request @ worldmachine.com writes: << I hope that everyone here, at one point or another, has the experience of meeting a truly great person....Mr. Mark King. As many Digest members can attest to, it isn't out of the realms of possibilty. Take care everyone! "Funky T", a.k.a. Anthony Richards Account Executive/Rainbow Interactive (516) 803-9776 (voice), (516) 396-8742 (fax) arichards @ cablevision.com (e-mail) Visit us @ www.news12.com & www.ezseek.com >> Hey dude, just as good the second time around. Oh!! I'm so envious;-) What cool memories. I think I speak for those of us unlucky souls who have never gotten the chance to meet any of the band old or new...Play on my son:-) Terri H. ------------------------------ Subject: Re: Level42 Digest V2000 #17 From: TenthSun @ aol.com Date: Fri, 10 Mar 2000 13:13:17 EST In a message dated 3/10/00 5:58:51 AM Eastern Standard Time, Level42-request @ worldmachine.com writes: << To Lee: The Cameo song that you're referring to is called "She's Strange". Cameo has been around since the seventies, and has consistently put out some very funky cds. As you may recall, they had a big hit in the 80's with the songs "Word Up" and "Candy" (most recently sampled by the Prince of Pop Rap, Will Smith). PolyGram has a very good "Best Of Cameo" compilation (from their Funk Essentials collection) that's definitely a must have for all fans of the funk. >> Hey Anthony, I think I saw Cameo perform live in Philadelphia for the Unity Day celebration. (rest of the line-up Chaka Khan and Kelly Price--whoo-hoo! great show) And all I could think, as they kick a-- on stage, was, "darn, what happened to all the great Black (or funk) bands?" Like Level 42, they just set a standard for musicianship and performance but I don't see them around anymore (or maybe I just don't get out enough:-) Nice to recall. By the way, I don't know if anybody watches Felicity but there was a really surreal moment when the characters were having a painting party and somebody decided to play some music. Well, instead of the usual Sarah McLachlan sound you come to expect from the WB they played the Dazz Band! Yahoo! You go WB. TCOY Terri H. ------------------------------ Subject: Matt Drudge and Jaydee basses From: greg @ nac.net Date: Fri, 10 Mar 2000 21:40:15 -0500 Hi folks, recently while scanning the radio for something interesting, I came across a familiar rythmn. I thought, I know that, yes it's Starchild! It was used as introductory music to a segment of The Matt Drudge Show, a syndicated talk show in the US. On to bass matters, Jonathon wrote Wednesday how he thought the bass is too low in the mix on the Jazz Cafe recordings. I haven't heard them yet, but lowering the bass is a disturbing trend I've noticed on live recordings going back to around 1987. Mark's sound has developed more bottom end, and the mid-range frequencies have become significantly reduced. This let's less clearly audible tone come through. Some might argue that reducing the bass creates a more balanced sound. This is interesting for commercial pop music but it doesn't sound funky! The days of the bass led funk fest are what interested me so much in Level 42 in the first place. An important factor in the that sound were the Jaydee basses Mark played. Over time I've noticed a strong correlation between my favorite Level 42 recordings and the Jaydee basses. So what can you conclude from that? That for the known disadvantages of the JDs, the heavy weight, the constant adjusting of the necks and such, they had in my opinion a distinct and awesome sound! Another bass matter; Would any bass player who has learned Just Like That be willing to help me with one part? It's the 16 bar middle piece that starts at 2:13. Mark sings 'it's too late....' over it. What notes are played here? The root notes sound like F sharp, B and E. It comes down basically to a 2 bar riff that gets repeated 8 times. At first I thought maybe the guitar line mimics the bass, but they are doing separate things that muddle up the sound. Please send an email, any help at all is appreciated. thanks, Greg J ------------------------------ Subject: joe daflos From: "simin the magicien" Date: Sat, 11 Mar 2000 10:18:26 +0100 Joe is reopened as ...who is its new owner? Does Ria still work there ? must fly....