10CD box set • Albums, B-sides, remixes and more

Cherry Red will issue The Complete Polydor Years 1980-1984, a ten-CD Level 42 box set that brings together the first five albums alongside an extraordinary amount of bonus material.

This new package features the albums Level 42 (1981), The Early Tapes (1982), The Pursuit of Accidents (1982), Standing in the Light (1983) and True Colours (1984). But that’s only half the story because five further CDs offer a wealth of seven-inch remixes (some new to CD), B-sides, 12-inch mixes and bonus tracks including early performances at the Regal Theatre in Hitchin (in Hertfordshire, England).

The set has been compiled in conjunction with Level 42 and band experts Paul Wallace, Paul Waller and Simon Carson. Tony Dixon at Masterpeice Masters has handled the remastering process.

Daryl Easlea has spoken to band members current and past and provides sleeve notes for this set and the good news is there will be a ‘part two’ which will continue the Polydor story and cover when the band become commercially very successful.

The Complete Polydor Years 1980-1984 will be released on 26 March 2021.