Level 42 - A Physical Presence (1985)

"A Physical Presence" is a two-disc live album by the British jazz-funk pop group Level 42, released in June 1985 and recorded in England during March 1985 at The Coronet Woolwich, The Hexagon, Reading and Goldiggers, Chippenham, Wiltshire. "A Physical Presence" is an impressive document of the band's dynamic live performances, and the live renditions of many of the songs improve on the original studio recordings.  Much of the material on "A Physical Presence" comes from the band's first four studio albums, and several of Level 42's minor British hits "Hot Water," "The Chinese Way" are included. Physical's highlights, however, are the blistering live takes on lesser-known non-single releases. For example, "Kansas City Milkman," which originally appeared in a somewhat lackluster version on the 1984 release "True Colours", is given new life in concert; the version here is slightly faster and more energetic than the original. "Eyes Waterfalling" (originally from the 1982 album "The Pursuit of Accidents") is given the same treatment and features Mark King's mind-boggling thumb-slapping bass-playing technique, which is all the more impressive considering his simultaneous role as lead vocalist. King is an amazing musician, but his fellow bandmates are no less capable; vocalist and keyboardist Mike Lindup, drummer Phil Gould, and guitarist Boon Gould give first-rate performances. Level 42's studio efforts (particularly on the early albums) tend to suffer from over-production, barely giving the musicians room to breathe. That certainly isn't the case here; on "A Physical Presence", Level 42 truly shines, combining energy, talent, and songcraft to breathtaking effect.

Track listing

Disc one
01.  Almost There  (King, P. Gould, R. Gould)  - 6:47
02.  Turn It On  (Badarou, P. Gould, R. Gould, King)  - 5:47
03.  Mr. Pink  (Badarou, King)  - 6:08
04.  Eyes Waterfalling  (King, P. Gould, Lindup, R. Gould)  - 5:20
05.  Kansas City Milkman  (Badarou, King, Lindup, P. Gould)  - 7:17
06.  Follow Me  (King, R. Gould)  - 5:01
07.  Foundation & Empire  (King)  - 8:39

Disc two
01.  The Chant Has Begun  (King, P. Gould)   - 6:12
02.  The Chinese Way  (King, P. Gould, Badarou)  - 4:47
03.  The Sun Goes Down (Living It Up)  (Badarou, King, Lindup, P. Gould)   - 4:59
04.  Hot Water  (King, P. Gould, Lindup, Badarou)   - 6:24
05.  Love Games  (King, P. Gould)   - 9:44
06.  88  (King)  - 12:33

Notes
Released:  June 1985
Recorded at:  The Coronet Woolwich, The Hexagon, Reading and Goldiggers, Chippenham, Wiltshire
Genre:  Funk, Fusion, Live
Length:  89:38
Producer:  Greg Jackman, Level 42

Label - Polydor Records