Track Listing

1. Dive Into The Sun
2. Rooted
3. The Way Back Home
4. Just For You
5. Sleep Talking
6. Retroglide
7. All Around
8. Clouds
9. Hell Town Story
10. Ship
11. All I Need

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #16655 in Music
• Released on: 2006-09-18
• Number of discs: 1
• Format: Extra tracks
• Dimensions: .23 pounds
• Running time: 55 minutes

Amazon.co.uk Review
Retroglide is the first "proper" Level 42 album in more than ten years, marking the return of the band's classic pairing of Mark King and Mark Lindup. Level 42 were always a band for grownups, which is probably why they've managed to age so well. And the good news for fans is that Retroglide is a return to form for the band, who will instantly recognise King's trademark basslines. In King's hands, the bass guitar is capable of both rhythm and melody, and it's a talent he displays throughout Retroglide. Album opener "Dive Into the Sun" showcases King's mastery of the slap bass, as he frantically plays his instrument's fretboard to keep pace with both drums and guitar. He also displays restraint on tracks like "All Around", proving that less can sometimes be more, and resulting in a track that's downright funky and almost soulful. Level 42 were always a difficult band to categorise, and Retroglide will probably not change that. It's pitched somewhere between jazz and rock, making them a somewhat more accessible (and groovier) Steely Dan. But the truth is that Level 42 are a unique British band, and Retroglide, even at this stage in their careers, sounds like nothing other than a Level 42 album. --Ted Kord

Customer Reviews

One of the better Level 42 albums since World Machine.
12 years since Forever Now, Level 42 are back.
Or are they?
Well, this album is really more of a Mark King album than a Level 42 album, but there is still plenty to keep the fans happy.
Mike Lindup has allegedly returned to the band and plays a synth piano on the album, but there is little of his influence overall. He is hardly even noticeable in the backing vocals.
Boon Gould the original Level 42 guitarist writes all the lyrics and plays a guest solo on one track at the end of the album.
Phil Gould, the original drummer, is nowhere to be seen, though Gary Husband who has played on 2 previous Level 42 albums is the featured drummer.
The opening track 'Dive into the Sun' is fast and funky and upbeat along the lines of 'Heaven in my Hands' meets 'Hot Water'.
Rooted is a strong rocky ballad one of the strongest songs on the album.
Retroglide the signature tune is another top tune with Vangelis style keyboards.
For the slap bass fans there is Sleep Talking which is a manic slap bass fest with overtones of the 'Sunbed Song' in the mix.
After a few listens this album is definitely better than Guaranteed and Staring at the Sun and at least equal to if not better than Forever Now.
However it is no World Machine.
At times the recording is slightly harsh sounding and over compressed, perhaps to make it radio friendly, although I suspect this is because Mark King likes very compressed "toppy" sounding music.

This is the way he sets up his bass sound live.
The second half of the album seems to slightly run out of steam but maybe its a grower.
Certainly worth buying on the strength of the stand out tracks (Retroglide,Rooted,Dive into the Sun and Sleep Talking) alone.

Don't expect a jazz funk album though, this is more of a melodic rock album with slap bass added into the mix.

The musical journey continues.....
That has to be one of the longest waits in musical history - 10 or more years since the Forever Now album. So, does Retroglide justify the wait? In my view, Yes, although it probably won't be considered a classic album.
I should make it clear at this stage that I am a life-long Level 42 fan. I love both the early stuff and the more commercial tunes during the band's most successful era in the mid to late 80s. In fact, there isn't a L42 album I don't like and as far as I'm concerned every single album has a core of very strong songs whether you lean towards the band's funk/jazz side or the mellower balladic writing.
Basically, if you answer yes to 2 or more of the following statements, you will undoubtedly enjoy this album:
1. Are you an existing fan of L42?
2. Do you appreciate both their early work and that from the 80s/90s?
3. Do you play an instument or appreciate good musicianship?
4. Do you like music which challenges your ear?
5. Do you prefer music that takes a good few listens before you can say you like it?
6. Are you over 25!?
Overall, this is a mature collection of songs in keeping with the ages of the respective band members and their target audience. For me, it's a natural progression for the band and, yes, I agree with some of the other reviewers in that it would have been enriched and improved with greater writing input from Lindup. Nonetheless, it is an enjoyable listen with about 5 or so excellently written and arranged songs which you will come back to in years to come. A most welcome return from one of the truly great british bands of the last 25 years.

Retroglide Hits The Mark!
I don't know what the other reviewers have been listening to but Retroglide is excellent! A much more grown up affair than previous "slapfests". I've always been a fan of Mark King and Level 42 but, on hearing the snippets of this album on level42.com I wasn't too impressed. However, the finished product is a wholey different beast. Mark and Boon's songs are sublime and the production on this album is textbook. I would have liked a little more jazz as Mark seems to excel in this field and I thought that his advancing years (ahem!) might have brought his jazzy style to the fore a little more. That said, don't write Retroglide off till you've heard a three of four times though a good set of headphones. It's marvellous!!!