Sea Level (band)
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1976 in Macon, Georgia, United States |
| Headquarters | Macon , United States |
Area served | United States |
| Products | Albums, live performances |
Sea Level was a rock ensemble originating from Macon, Georgia in 1976, formed as a spin-off from the Allman Brothers Band. From 1977 through 1980, they produced five studio albums that combined influences from funk, blues, and Latin music.
The band came into existence amid internal conflicts within the Allman Brothers Band, resulting in the exit of some founding members. The remaining trio—bassist Lamar Williams, drummer Jaimoe, and keyboardist Chuck Leavell—performed under the name "We Three" and occasionally served as opening acts during 1975–76. Subsequently, they recruited guitarist Jimmy Nalls and adopted the name Sea Level, a phonetic play on Leavell’s name: "C. Leavell." After signing with Capricorn Records, they embarked on extensive tours and released their inaugural self-titled album in 1977.
Musical style
The group’s music is a fusion of funk, blues, Latin, and rock music genres. Recognized as a jam band, their sound is often described as a blend of southern rock,jazz rock, and funk pop.
Career
Following their initial release, Sea Level expanded into a septet by adding Davis Causey (guitar), George Weaver (drums, percussion), and Randall Bramblett (saxophones, keyboards, vocals). This formation produced their second album, Cats on the Coast (1978), which included the single "That's Your Secret" that peaked at #50 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #45 in Canada. By the time of their third album, On the Edge, both Jaimoe and Weaver had left, with Joe English stepping in. The six-member lineup of Bramblett, Causey, English, Leavell, Nalls, and Williams recorded their fourth album, Long Walk on a Short Pier (1979), which remained unreleased in the U.S. for nearly twenty years. For their fifth and final album, Ball Room (1980), released via Arista Records, percussionist Matt Greeley joined the group. Their greatest hits collection (available only on CD) encapsulates their career highlights and is complemented by contributions to various Southern rock compilations. Additionally, they appeared on the 1978 live double compilation Hotels, Motels and Road Shows, featuring an extended rendition of "Grand Larceny."
Later years
Chuck Leavell established himself as a prominent session musician and producer, touring with Eric Clapton before securing a permanent role with the Rolling Stones. In 1998, he debuted his solo career with a Christmas-themed album titled What's in That Bag?, followed by Forever Blue, which included solo renditions of Sea Level tracks such as "Whole Lotta Colada" and "Song for Amy." He also released Southscape, an album celebrating Southern musical traditions reflective of his heritage.
A documentary focusing on Chuck Leavell’s endeavors beyond music, titled Chuck Leavell: The Tree Man and directed by Allen Farst, premiered in November 2020. The film received the Sedona Film Festival’s People’s Choice Award and features appearances by Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Ronnie Wood, David Gilmour, Dickey Betts, Warren Haynes, John Mayer, Bonnie Raitt, among others. It became available for streaming starting December 1, 2020.
Deaths of members
Bassist Lamar Williams passed away due to lung cancer on January 21, 1983, at age 34.
Guitarist Jimmy Nalls succumbed to Parkinson's disease on June 22, 2017, aged 66.
Davis Causey died on February 19, 2023, at age 74.
Group members
- Chuck Leavell – keyboards including piano, Moog synthesizer, organ, clavinet, percussion, as well as lead and backing vocals (1976–1980)
- Lamar Williams – bass guitar and backing vocals (1976–1980; passed away 1983)
- Jimmy Nalls – guitar and backing vocals (1976–1980; deceased 2017)
- Jaimoe – drums and percussion (1976–1978)
- Davis Causey – guitar and backing vocals (1977–1980; died 2023)
- Randall Bramblett – saxophones, piano, keyboards, lead and backing vocals (1977–1980)
- George Weaver – drums (1977–1978)
- Joe English – drums, percussion, backing and lead vocals (1978–1980)
- Matt Greeley – percussion, backing and lead vocals (1980)
Timeline
Discography
- Sea Level (1977, Capricorn Records)
- Cats on the Coast (1977, Capricorn Records)
- On the Edge (1978, Capricorn Records)
- Long Walk on a Short Pier (1979, Capricorn Records)
- Ball Room (1980, Arista Records)
- Best of Sea Level (1990, Polydor)
- Best of Sea Level (1997, Capricorn Records)