Mark King

Musician

Forbass players, fans of funk and jazz-fusion, level 42 followers, listeners of 1980s progressive pop
2 Reviews 0 Definitions 1 Charts

The Profile

English bassist and singer, leader of Level 42, known for his distinctive slap-bass technique and for blending funk, pop and jazz-fusion.

Reviews note he produced, wrote and played most parts on the 1984 solo album Influences, including drums, guitar and keyboards; he is associated with Level 42 and praised for his slap-bass virtuosity. One review mentions he runs a local pub on the Isle of Wight with his second wife Ria (as of the review's publication).

Two reviews discuss Mark King's 1984 solo album Influences, praising his slap-bass virtuosity and multi-instrumental approach. The album mixes long-form progressive writing (the 18-minute "The Essential") with more accessible tracks and a Cream cover. Reviewers call the work underrated and musically ambitious.

Notable Quotes

❝ His golden hands then stop unsuspectingly handling mugs of beer and bank statements, to reach prodigious levels when in contact with the graphite keyboard and the four strings of the Status bass, an instrument with which he has undoubtedly written an indelible page in the manual of world funky pop.