Ultimate Collection

The product came as described and I like that. Thank you.

Aside from three tracks which I really like, the collection did not appeal to me.

If you are looking for the amazing sounding remastered Level 42 classics then get this CD. It includes 32-bit remastering and sound AWESOME. It's not just an improvement over original releases, it's an experience. No joke.

This 2 CD set is the same as the 2 CD Gold Collection, only the Gold set is cheaper in Canada. It has all the hits previously found on the single CD Level Best. Every song from the Level Best CD is in this collection, but Level Best was not remastered, so the sound was quieter (but with no added compression), and had the hit singles versions of the songs.This set is remastered, much clearer (good) and much louder via added compression (bad), and has the album versions of the songs, which can be considerably longer. I have mixed feelings about the extended album versions. Sometimes an album version is better because it is the complete version of the song; however, they are often NOT the radio hit versions, because they can (especially in the 80's) drag on too long.The 2 CD collection has 11 more songs than the single CD Level Best, which is good for serious fans, but I only like 1 or 2 of the added songs and find myself skipping tracks more now. I'll likely burn my own single CD collection of fav songs. Of the added songs, 2 are Mark King solo recordings: I Feel Free is his cover of the Cream 60's hit, and Bitter Moon is from 1998.So far, I'm still looking for a perfect collection for myself. I like the clarity of the remastering here --- music that was more muffled on Level Best now sounds clear to hear --- but I prefer the shorter hit versions and non-compressed volume of the Level Best CD. I am not a fan of over compressing music to make it louder, a sad trend in remastering for some time now.Finally, another Amazon reviewer said there were actually 3 CD's (a 3rd CD of live tracks). I ordered mine from Amazon.ca and only got a 2 CD collection (no bonus live disc). Sometimes Amazon mixes reviews for different products, or same product with different packaging.

I like the cover of this album the songs are fantastic and they are the long versions and not the short version is that you hear on the radio but I still love this band from beginning to end I have yet to hair songs like it's over something about you leaving me now living it up etc etc etc and the CD is superb and remastering that's all I'm going to say about this thing but if you want to buy this album buy it whoever put this together fantastic job thanks I can't wait to put this CD into my player in the house and in the car because I will be slapping Bass when listening to it so do yourself a favor go out and buy the CD you'll be glad that you did thanks Amazon❤🇺🇸😊

Yes, there are only 2 discs on this version. For the 3-disc version you need to look at another link and it costs a lot more. You really don't need the extra disc of live and other throwaway tracks though as this 2-disc version is perfection itself.While the 3-disc version comes in a digipak package, this 2-disc version comes in a jewel case but all tracks have been 32 bit remastered for an excellent sounding album. This has to be in terms of sound quality among the top 5 that I've ever heard in my life and believe me I've heard too many discs that have been "remastered" and yet sound worse than the cassettes.Level 42 is more than just a singles band though and although this is an excellent place to get a taste of all the best without having to get all the albums, I'd still recommend getting remastered versions of "World Machine" and "Running In the Family" as some truly inspired album tracks that are not here are there and just have to be heard.I'm referring to tracks like "Sleepwalkers" and "Freedom Someday" among many others. Brilliant tracks in this album though are "Are You Hearing What I Hear?", "The Chinese Way", "Hot Water", "Children Say" and "Leaving Me Now". No weak tracks here really except perhaps towards the end of the second disc when Level 42's star was clearly waning.If you are new to Level 42, this is the place to start but not to end. Like me, wait for Polydor to do the same treatment that they did with this brilliant album to "World Machine" and "Running in the Family" and snap them up! Very highly recommended.

Level 42 were among the bands that made a huge success in the 80s and 90s, like Duran Duran, Simple Minds, Alphaville, A-ha, Camouflage, and so on. This double CD is packed with all their hits, digitally remastered with 32 bit for a higher sound quality. "Something About You", "Leaving Me Now", "Lessons In Love", "Running In The Family", "To Be With You Again" are among my favorites.Buy this CD and thank me.

Amazon did not mention that there is actully 3 disks in this collection with live tracks, unreleased material and a couple of solo songs from Mark and Mike. With the other two disks and the remastering of the orginal tracks it definitly makes this collection worth it. If you are a fan like I am and have a really!! hard time finding and obtaining their earlier work, this is a must have.

I remember these when I was young. The first time I saw them was in a Fast Show sketch. This year I saw them performing at Spitfire Cricket Ground in Canterbury. They sang songs such as The Sun Goes Down (Living It Up), Something About You and Lessons In Love which happen to be my most favourite songs. Level 42 have been my most favourite band for a long time.

Essentially this album takes you chronologically through the bands history from the early raw Brit funk grooves of Starchild, Love Games and Love Meeting love. Then onto the world domination phase with songs like Chinese Way and Sun Goes down. Then followed by the chart peaks and commercial success of Something about you (for me World Machine was their high point album), Children Say and Lessons in Love and through the latter changes of sound and line up after founding members departed, illustrated by Heaven in my Hands, Guaranteed and Forever now.This release is by far Level 42's best compilation release. Two CD's of mostly top quality songs, and not just the same old 7" or radio edit versions either, this album does the job properly with full length album versions of the tracks in their original form which really do sound great here.Special mention must be made for whoever re-mastered the tracks. It shows what can be done when a bit of care is taken. In particular the earlier tracks have honestly never sounded as good on any previous release.However despite the positives, describing this as a box set or an `ultimate' collection is perhaps stretching it a bit far. For example, the sublime Dune tune, the raw Mr Pink or Love in a peaceful world (which was their final single before previously calling it a day in the 90's) are not featured here, and I would have preferred their inclusion instead of two Mark King solo tracks at the end of CD2 (including a cover version?), especially as this is supposed to be a level 42 collection, not a Mark King album.Minor gripes aside, this collection serves as very well re-mastered compilation that will sound great whatever you play it on, and you will enjoy listening to. Overall, recommended for the fan or newcomer.

Superb as good a compilation of a great band as you can get.

Mark King and Level42 at their very best a superb compilation of their quality tracks!

One of the best bands of the 80s and still going strong, but what a great album