enzo already knows i am also a huge fan. i agree he should have put out more slow groove jam type stuff. i am actually not that fond of the speed slap when he goes berzerk. ok, once in a while, but it was a showcase and it is all about tastiness for me. i guess it gets the drunken crowd going. There is some good pop stuff on their last album Forever Now 1994, but generally the early jazz funk stuff is my favourite. I am particullarly fond of the many early instrumentals they did
mr pink
foundation and empire
42
43
the pursuit of accidents
dune tune
shape shifter
i remember buying each album as they were released, always hoping for something unique and even better. Influences has the coolest funky bass riff and it blew me away, espescially the production. i think mark may have played drums too on that record. i was always dissapointed with the continued pop emphsis and direction of the band, (which actually started very early with turn it on in 1981 and grew on every album thereafter) even though i am still and always will be very fond of most of their music.
i cannot believe U2 have Beetle like status these days becasue from 1981-1983, Level 42 was 10 times better than U2 were. I suppose it is how they evolved over the years and public perception.
Mark has a very unique playing style. his groove is matched by few other players, but he is also magnificent with a variety of other styles and genres.
I remember when true colours came out in 1984 and I really didnt appreciate tunes like hours by the window. it is a beautifully written song and has bass unlike another song I know. It is unmistakabley mark king, but not nearly in the tradtional sense that people would think of.
i also enjoy material from the solo album Trash. he is not a bad singer either. he deserves as much credit as geddy lee, another player i have the highest esteem for.
Colin
