A signature 80s synth-pop and pop rock album featuring 'Lessons In Love' and the title track, with a strong presence of slap bass and polished production.
Artist page · 04/07/2026
Level 42
About
Level 42, British pop-funk fusion from the Isle of Wight since 1980.
Key 80s albums like 'Running In The Family' and 'World Machine' available in audiophile vinyl editions.
Level 42 emerged in the early 1980s as a band merging dance-rock, jazz fusion, funk, and pop with sophisticated production. The founding lineup featured Mark King on bass and vocals, Phil Gould on drums, Mike Lindup on keyboards and vocals, and Boon Gould on guitar. Their sound is known for tight rhythms, prominent slap bass, and catchy melodic hooks. Their discography includes over 2,100 releases with studio albums, live recordings, and numerous compilations spanning the 1980s to the 2000s.
Vinyl collectors can explore audiophile 180g pressings of key albums such as 'Running In The Family' (1987) and 'World Machine' (1985) on Polydor and newer releases on Music On Vinyl.
Discography
Level 42 — Discography
Studio albums, EPs and notable live records, from newest to oldest. Drag the timeline to browse.
Edsel Records · 2013
Polydor · 2013
Mark King · 2009
W14 Music · 2006
Mark King · 2004
Mark King · 2001
RCA · 1994
RCA · 1991
Polydor · 1988
Polydor · 1987
Polygram Music Video · 1987
Polydor · 1985
Polydor · 1985
Polydor · 1984
Polydor · 1983
Polydor · 1982
Polydor · 1982
Polydor · 1981Playlist
Signature tracks
The tracks that sum up Level 42's career.





The essentials
The 3 Level 42 albums you absolutely need
Our pick, validated by the editorial team.
Known for its blend of synth-pop and jazz-funk styles, this album contains classics like 'Something About You' and 'Leaving Me Now'.
The 1991 release on RCA showcasing the band's continued evolution with funk influences and polished studio production.
Go further
Artists similar to Level 42
Artists who share part of Level 42's musical DNA.
Collectors
For vinyl die-hards
The hidden side of the catalogue: rare pressings, sought-after matrices, Discogs values.
Market values (source: Discogs)
For each reference edition, these cards summarise the state of the global Discogs market. Market position places the average price of a copy between the observed min and max prices. Average price is the price seen for a mint-condition copy. Copies available counts listings currently for sale. Collectors who want it is the number of Discogs users who added it to their wantlist without owning it — a good signal of upcoming demand.
Notable pressings & editions
Face B
Side B: the hidden stories of Level 42
Studio secrets, touring anecdotes and B-sides worth the whole album.
"Mark King's slap bass and vocals define the band's distinctive sound."— Original band lineup insight
Recording 'Running In The Family' in 1987
The 'Running In The Family' album was released in 1987 with multiple vinyl pressings, including a US promo LP (cat.no 831 593-1 Y-1) and UK standard LP (POLH 42). It features polished production blending pop rock and synth-pop.
Audiophile editions of 'World Machine'
The 'World Machine' album from 1985 appears on high-quality 180g audiophile vinyl with several international pressings including Turkey and Israel, showing wide demand for this jazz-funk influenced record.
Level 42 formed in 1980 on the Isle of Wight
The band was formed in 1980 by natives of the Isle of Wight: Mark King (bass, vocals), Phil Gould (drums), with Mike Lindup (keyboards) and Boon Gould (guitar) joining shortly after.
Live recordings throughout the 2000s
Level 42 issued several live albums including 'Live In Holland 2009' and 'Live From Metropolis Studios' (2013), capturing performances across decades and mediums.
Records by Level 42
See allFAQ
FAQ: Level 42 on physical formats
The most common questions about pressings, reissues and limited editions.
Who are the founding members of Level 42?
Mark King (bass, vocals), Phil Gould (drums), Mike Lindup (keyboards, vocals), and Boon Gould (guitar) formed the band around 1980.
What genres does Level 42's music include?
Their music blends funk, jazz-funk, new wave, dance-rock, and pop across their career.
Which albums by Level 42 are available on audiophile 180g vinyl?
'Running In The Family' and 'World Machine' have audiophile 180g vinyl pressings popular among collectors.
What are some of Level 42's most played tracks?
Popular tracks include 'Lessons In Love', 'Something About You', and 'Running In The Family'.
How many tracks are on the 'Running In The Family' album?
The album has 9 tracks, blending synth-pop and pop rock styles.
Where was Level 42 originally formed in the UK?
The band was formed on the Isle of Wight, part of the United Kingdom.
Are there any notable live Level 42 releases?
Yes, notable live releases include 'Live In Holland 2009' and 'Live From Metropolis Studios' from 2013.
Is Level 42's music linked to the French vinyl collector community?
Several of their key releases are available through French vinyl labels and distributors, contributing to their presence in the vinyl market there.
Transparency
Sources & method
This page is compiled by the vinyles.com editorial team from public sources and our marketplace.
Our method
- Discographic data from MusicBrainz (dates, countries, activity period).
- Tracklists, artwork and genres retrieved via Discogs Masters.
- Values (low / median / high) and stock from the Discogs Marketplace.
- Audience and similar artists via Last.fm.
- Page updated automatically and reviewed by the editorial team.



