Forever Now [UK]

This 1999 reissue contains bonus tracks not on the original release.
Personnel: Wally Badarou (vocals, guitar, Fender Rhodes piano, synthesizer); Mark King (vocals, harp, organ, synthesizer, bass guitar, loops); Phil Gould (vocals, piano, organ, drums); Mike Lindup (vocals, grand piano, Fender Rhodes piano, Wurlitzer organ, synthesizer); Gary Barnacle (saxophone); John Thirkell, Stuart Brooks, Derek Watkins (trumpet); Richard Edwards (trombone); Miles Bould (percussion).
Audio Mixers: Paul Wright ; Steve Anderson.
Recording information: Germany; Marcus Studios; Sarm west; Swanyard; The Summerhouse.
Photographer: Andy Earl.
Forever Now is Level 42's best album since the mid-'80s heyday of World Machine and Running in the Family. After a two-album hiatus, drummer Phil Gould returned to the band on what would become its final studio release. The jazzy, horn-drenched title track is the highlight, but there are many solid cuts here, including "Learn to Say No" and the Hall & Oates sound-alike "Love in a Peaceful World." Incidentally, the track listing is considerably different from the European release (some tunes were remixed, while others were replaced altogether), but the quality is still intact. A worthy swan song. ~ William Cooper