Heathrow - Tribute to Level-42

This track is the reason why I became a fan of Level-42, back in 1981 when I was 13-years of age.

PROPHET-5
The keyboard-synthesizer you see me playing here is the unmistakable and legendary Prophet-5.
This particular Prophet sound used on Heathrow is probably its trademark sound.
These type of brass sounds are possible on other synths, but this is the original Prophet sound and its filters and envelopes cannot be emulated on anything else. I've tried clones of the Prophet, but I could not get that Heathrow brass sound. When I bought the P5 I instantly got that sound with very little effort.
The P600 has that same sound, but its envelopes are not as accurate and the filter is not as smooth.
The Prophet-600 which sits above the P5 is Midi'd to the P5 and used to play a double octave in some parts.

Heathrow is on Level-42's debut album, which still is their best album ever.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Heathrow
• Level-42
• Prophet-5
• Prophet-600
• Sequential
• Circuits
• Analog
• Synthesizer
• Jazz
• Fusion
• Funk
• 80's
• Mark
• King
• Mike
• Lindup
• Wally
• Badarou
• Logic-Pro
• Addictive
• Drums

[robm7375]

Fantastic track and a great cover. Came across this when I went looking for any Level 42 keyboard turorials for the keyboard I've just bought and am starting to learn on.. You play so fast that I can't work out the notes/chords you're playing. Where did you get the sheet music or did you just work it out yourself?

[Geeljasjes]

@robm7375

Cheers mate.

I can't read a single note.

The hardest thing is to play it on the Prophet-5, which has a terrible keyboard.

With anything you want to learn how to play, start slowly.

[maccagrabme]

@Geeljasjes I've seen a lot of remakes on YT but these are outstanding, including the equipment. Do you have a formal musical training or self taught? Do you learn by ear or already have a good knowledge of jazz theory? thanks.

[Geeljasjes]

@maccagrabme

Thanks.

I'm self taught and I can assure you that I'm not that good.

This was just a lucky take.

[maccagrabme]

@Geeljasjes I find that the most talented people tend to be very humble apart from Sting! You obviously have a good knowledge of jazz and a very good musical ear, I wonder whether you learnt how to play this music by just listening and working out how things/styles work or worked through books/videos? It would be useful to know because I'm sure there are a lot of us out here that admire your amazing work and would like to learn from it. many thanks

[Geeljasjes]

@maccagrabme

It's very kind of you to say that.

However, If I were as talented as you think I am, I wouldn't be sitting here doing cover versions of songs.

I should be working on my own material.

Thanks though for watching my videos.

Cheers

[minigovaray]

Fantastic! I've actually hadn't heard this track by Level 42 before. Really great! And as stated by others you are a REALLY good keyboard player and musician! I work as a piano teacher at a small school and I couldn't play as tight as you through a whole song. Maybe that says more about me than you, and maybe I should think about another line of work ;)

I always struggle when recording my own material and have to do multiple takes before I'm satisfied or I record by midi and quantize it.

[tedmuss]

wow, really nice work!...I love this track and you did it justice :D

[buffets1]

you are very talented. you just haven't you break yet

[Matos007007]

Exellent !

[koningpils1]

Haha fantastich,heel mooi .zzeer schön....

[grahamaroo]

this is BRILLIANT BRILLIANT. great man! thanks!!

[ssssstevee]

Awesome. Good job !