The Early Tapes

The Early Tapes (July/Aug 1980) aka Strategy
Studio album by Level 42
Released	March 1982
Recorded	July - August 1980
Genre	Jazz-funk, dance-rock, jazz fusion
Length	41:44
Label	Polydor Records
Producer	Andy Sojka/Jerry Pike
Level 42 chronology
Level 42 (1981) Strategy (1982) The Pursuit of Accidents (1982)

Professional ratings
Review scores
Source	Rating
Allmusic	[1]
Q	[2]

The Early Tapes (July/Aug 1980), also known as Strategy, is the second album released, but first to be recorded, by the British group Level 42. The band subsequently signed to Polydor, who bought the masters from Elite and issued it in March 1982. It features Level 42's first two singles - "Love Meeting Love" (UK #61) and "(Flying On The) Wings Of Love" (UK #76). Most of the tracks are instrumental.

Tracks

1. "Sandstorm" (Badarou, King) – 4:41
2. "Love Meeting Love" (Gould, King) – 6:24
3. "Theme to Margaret" (King) – 3:59
4. "Autumn (Paradise Is Free)" (King) – 4:45
5. "Wings of Love" (Badarou, Gould, Gould, King) – 6:58
6. "Woman" (Lindup) – 4:38
7. "Mr. Pink" (Badarou, King) – 5:08
8. "88" (King) – 5:11

Personnel

• Mark King – bass guitar, percussion, vocals on "Love Meeting Love" & "Autumn (Paradise is Free)", chant vocals on "88"
• Mike Lindup – keyboards, percussion, vocals on "Wings of Love", chant vocals on "88"
• Boon Gould – guitars, alto saxophone
• Phil Gould – drums, percussion

Plus:

• Wally Badarou – Prophet 5 and inspiration
• Leroy Williams – percussion (Courtesy EMI)
• Dave Chambers – tenor and soprano saxophones

Releases

Year	Type	Label
1982	LP	Polydor
1986	LP	Polydor
1986	CS	Polydor
1986	CD	Polydor
1990	CD	Polygram
1993	CD	Polydor
2004	CD	Universal/Spectrum
2006	CD	Universal
2007	CD	Polydor

Charts

Chart (1982)	Peak position
UK Albums Chart	46

References

1. Cooper, William. "Allmusic review". Allmusic. All Media Guide. Retrieved 2011-06-24.
2. Ian Harrison Q, May 2007, Issue 250.

External links

• Level 42 Official Website