Montell Jordan

Besides crafting his own material, Jordan has written and produced for a number of outside artists, including 98 Degrees, Deborah Cox ("Nobody's Supposed to Be Here", 1998), and Sisqó (the #1 hit "Incomplete", 2000). In truth the band was originally called simply 42 after the Answer to Life, the Universe, and Everything, from The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, and the word Level was added to make the name more distinctive. Jordan left Def Soul in 2003 and released the album Life After Def on Koch Records. The origin of the band's name has been variously described as being inspired by a sign in a lift in a very tall building in the US; the top level of the biggest car-park in the world, in Japan; the floor on which Jonathan Pryce lives in the film Brazil; or after Tower 42 (also known as NatWest Tower) a tall building in the City of London. Future hits would include "Let's Ride" with Master P in 1998 and "Get It on Tonite" in 1999. The current lineup consists of bassist King, drummer Husband, Nathan King on guitars and vocals, Lyndon Connah on keys and vocals, and Sean Freeman on sax and vocals. "The is How We Do It" and its follow-up, "Somethin' 4 Da Honeyz", show a strong hip hop influence, and Jordan's material fit alongside the rest of Def Jam's output. King revived the group as a touring unit in 2002.

Jordan's first single was the 1995 #1 hit single "This Is How We Do It", and defined his hip hop soul musical style. Level 42 released one final album of new material, Forever Now, marked by the return of Phil Gould as studio drummer. Jordan was the first R&B artist signed to the Def Jam label, and became the main male artist on its Def Soul imprint until leaving the label in 2003. Allan then left the band, to be replaced by Jakko Jaczyk. Montell Jordan (born December 3, 1968 in Los Angeles, California) is an African-American R&B singer, songwriter, and record producer. The album did not sell well despite being regarded by some as Level 42's most musically sophisticated work to date. 2003: "Supa Star". Their fans did not like this direction, and the pop music scene in the UK had moved in a different direction.

2001: "You Must Have Been". During the early 1990s, the group tried to blend more of their earlier influences, such as Mahavishnu Orchestra, into their sound by asking master musician Allan Holdsworth to provide some stunning guitar work for the album 'Guaranteed'. 2000: "Once Upon a Time". At this time a greatest hits compilation was released. 1999: "Get It on Tonite" (a remix features LL Cool J) (US #4). The following year Alan died from an AIDS related illness, and the band took some time off. 1998: "Let's Ride" (featuring Master P) (US #2). A new album Staring at the Sun, was released in 1988.

1998: "I Can Do That" (US #14). In addition, guitarist Alan Murphy joined, formerly of Go West. 1997: "What's on Tonight" (US #21). As a result, Mark King recruited Gary Husband and Steve Topping to fill their places. 1996: "I Like" (US #28). Both Phil and Boon left the group, unhappy with the increasingly 'pop' direction, and exhausted from touring. 1996: "Falling" (US #18). The band's 1987 album Running in the Family although selling well, cemented this musical direction.

1995: "Daddy's Home". By this time the band was heading away from its original jazz-funk sound and towards a much more mainstream pop sound. 1995: "Somethin' 4 Da Honeyz" (US #21). Singles from this, Something About You, and Leaving Me Now were also top ten hits, followed by another, Lessons in Love. 1995: "This is How We Do It" (US #1). The next album, World Machine, was released in 1985. 2003: Life After Def. That same year, Mark King pursued solo projects.

2002: Montell Jordan. The quartet followed that with True Colours in 1984. 1999: Get It On...Tonite. A fourth album Standing in the Light generated their first top ten hit in the UK in 1983, The Sun Goes Down (Living It Up). 1998: Let's Ride. In between Polydor released The early tapes recorded in the early days of the band when they were signed to the Elite label. 1996: More.... Their album went on to become a huge seller.

1995: This is How We Do It. The following year, a second album The Pursuit of Accidents was made, and singles from the album, first Weave Your Spell and then The Chinese Way were released, both charting, the latter in particular rising high in the charts and gaining the band a much wider audience than hitherto. This became an immediate success throughout Europe. They then cut their critically acclaimed debut album, Level 42. In 1981 they released Love Games, a top-40 hit.

Shortly after they released the single Love Meeting Love on Elite they came to the attention of Polydor records and signed to them. Initially they were signed to a small independent record label (Elite Records) after being seen jamming together. Level 42 were formed in 1980 as a Jazz-Funk fusion band. The founding band members were:.

The band gained fame for its tight musicianship, especially that of bassist/vocalist Mark King. Level 42 are an English pop band who throughout the 1980s had a number of hits in the UK and around the world. The Master Series (1996) (compilation). Live At Wembley 1989 (1996) (Live).

Turn It On (1996) (compilation). To Be With You Again (1995) (compilation). Forever Now (1994). Lessons In Love - Best (1993) (compilation).

On A Level (1993) (compilation). The Remixes (1992) (compilation). On The Level (1991) (compilation). Guaranteed (1991).

Level Best (1989) (greatest hits compilation). Staring At The Sun (1988). Running In The Family (1987). World Machine (1985).

A Physical Presence (Live) (1985). True Colours (1984). Standing in the Light (1983). The Pursuit of Accidents (1983).

Strategy/The Early Tapes (1982). Level 42 (1981). Phil Gould - Drums. Boon Gould - Guitars.

Mike Lindup - Keyboards/Vocals. Mark King - Vocals/Bass.