The Early Tapes

For the album by Tony Sheridan and The Beatles, see The Early Tapes of the Beatles.

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).

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]

Track listing

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

Personnel

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

Charts

Chart (1982)	Peak position
UK Albums (OCC)[3]	70

Release history

Year	Format	Label
1982	LP	Polydor
1986	LP MC CD
1990	CD	PolyGram
1993		Polydor
2004		Universal/Spectrum
2006		Universal
2007		Polydor

References

1. Cooper, William. "AllMusic review". AllMusic. All Media Guide. Retrieved 24 June 2011.
2. Ian Harrison Q, May 2007, Issue 250.
3. "Level 42 | Artist | Official Charts". UK Albums Chart. Retrieved 30 March 2024.