The Early Tapes

The Early Tapes (July/Aug 1980)
Studio album by Level 42
Released	March 1982
Recorded	July–August 1980
Genre	Jazz-funk dance-rock jazz fusion
Length	41:44
Label	Polydor
Producer	Andy Sojka Jerry Pike
Level 42 chronology
Level 42 (1981) The Early Tapes (July/Aug 1980) (1982) The Pursuit of Accidents (1982)
Singles from The Early Tapes (July/Aug 1980)
"Love Meeting Love" Released: April 1980/August 1980 (re-release) "(Flying on The) Wings of Love" Released: November 1980

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 English jazz-funk group Level 42. Originally recorded for Elite Records, 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).

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. "(Flying on The) Wings of Love" (Badarou, Gould, Gould, King, Lindup) – 6:58
6. "Woman" (Lindup) – 4:38
7. "Mr. Pink" (Badarou, King) – 5:08
8. "88" (King) – 5:11

Level 42

• 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

with:

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