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Level 42


"Guaranteed" is the ninth studio album by the British musical group Level 42, released in 1991. This was their first album of the 1990s and was released by RCA Records. It marked a significant change for the band, as it was the first Level 42 studio album to be released by a label other than Polydor. Guaranteed was the first Level 42 album without a songwriting contribution from former member Boon Gould, who had provided lyrics for some tracks on their 1988 album Staring at the Sun after his departure from the band. For Guaranteed, several songs were co-written with lyricists Drew Barfield and George M. Green. The album also marked the band's first release following the death of guitarist Alan Murphy, who had replaced Gould for Staring at the Sun and its related tours. The album's credits listed all musicians involved without clearly distinguishing between band members and guest players, reflecting ongoing personnel changes. The cover art and inlay photos suggested that the band consisted of Mark King, Mike Lindup, Gary Husband, and an additional guitarist, but the latter’s identity was ambiguous. Allan Holdsworth, who had played with the band during their London residency at the Hammersmith Apollo, contributed electric guitar solos to five tracks: "Seven Years," "A Kinder Eye," "She Can't Help Herself," "If You Were Mine," and "With a Little Love." Dominic Miller handled all rhythm guitar work, while Jakko Jakszyk, who appeared in the album artwork and promotional videos, did not contribute to the recording but was hired for touring and promotional activities. Due to Lindup's absence from many recording sessions, drummer Gary Husband played a significant portion of the keyboard parts, including the piano solo on "Her Big Day." Husband also expanded his songwriting role, contributing the track "If You Were Mine" on his own. He left Level 42 after this album, with original drummer Phil Gould returning to the band, though Husband would rejoin in 1999. The album's title track reached number 17 on the UK Singles Chart in 1991 and had two versions of its music video. The song "A Kinder Eye" was dedicated to Frances Robblee, the mother-in-law of lyricist George M. Green.