Level 42 - Pursuit of Accidents (1982)

Unlike that first album though the spare,dreamy style of that recording is replaced by a much more busier sound and more uptempo tunes,upping the ante on the funk and jazz ends."Weave Your Spell" is a great example of this style,starting out on the funkiest note possible and NOT GIVING IT UP for five minutes.The title track is one of those instrumentals that is actually very melodic and vocal and really gives all the musicians a chance to play together;it particularly illustrates what a great drummer Phil Gould is by keeping his sound big and creative but never showy or pyrotechnical,which tends to be a jazz-fusion drumming stereotype.The next three cuts "Last Chance","Are You Hearing What I Hear?" and "You Can't Blame Louis" find Level 42 mapping out the sound that would a few years later result in their big hits in the US;the ability to be jazzy,funky and contemporary all at the same time and each are terrific examples."Eyes Waterfalling" and "The Chinese Way" return to the same spastic funkiness that begins this album and find Mark King further innovations in perfecting the use of the bass guitar.'Pursuit Of Accidents' is definately one of those sophmore albums that represent a huge artistic step forward rather then musical stagnation.This is highly recommended.

1. Weave Your Spell
2. Pursuit of Accidents
3. Last Chance
4. Are You Hearing (What I Hear)
5. You Can't Blame Louis
6. Eyes Waterfalling
7. Shapeshifter
8. Chinese Way
9. Eyes Waterfalling
10. Pursuit of Accidents
11. Are You Hearing What I Hear?
12. Chinese Way [NY Remix]
13. You Can't Blame Louis

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