Record Reviews

MANFRED MANN CHAPTER THREE ~ RADIO DAYS VOL. 3 EAST CENTRAL ONE 3 (Barcode: 5060051334481) ~ UK ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion Recorded: 1968 - 1970 Released: 2019 This is the third volume of an archive series collecting the BBC radio recordings by the various groups led by British keyboardist / composer / bandleader Manfred MannFind albums by this artist. This volume, recorded between 1968 and 1970 includes the recordings by the short lived Manfred Mann Chapter ThreeFind albums by this artist, which consisted of Mann on keyboards and Mike HuggFind albums by this artist on vocals and piano (the only survivors from the Manfred Mann group), German saxophonist Bernie LivingFind albums by this artist, bassist Steve YorkFind albums by this artist (ex-East Of EdenFind albums by this artist) and drummer Craig CollingeFind albums by this artist (ex-ProcessionFind albums by this artist). A five piece brass section: saxophonists Clive StevensFind albums by this artist, Carl GriffithsFind albums by this artist and Dave CoxhillFind albums by this artist, trombonist Gerald DrewettFind albums by this artist and trumpeter Sonny CorbettFind albums by this artist completed the lineup. The album presents forty five tracks, which include radio, live and studio recordings, original announcements and interviews and even radio commercials, altogether a superb historical glance at British Jazz-Rock at its best. By late 1970 Manfred Mann Chapter Three fell apart and Mann continued with the newly founded Manfred Mann`s Earth BandFind albums by this artist, which is featured on the next volume of this series. Before Manfred Mann Chapter Three was officially launched, Mann and Hugg created a soundtrack to the "Venus In Furs" movie and twenty four excerpts from the soundtrack are included here (all previously unreleased). The radio recordings include not only BBC material but also Australian and Swedish radio recordings. Manfred Mann Chapter Three was a realization of a dream Mann kept in his mind since he started the group Manfred Mann in 1963. Finally liberated from the Pop / Rock image he was free to indulge in Jazz, which was always his preferred habitat. The group offered some of the most interesting British Jazz-Rock recordings on the two albums it managed to release before disbanding. Both the albums and the material presented here are a most welcome reminder of an Avant-Garde attempt to combine Free Form Jazz with Rock. Overall this is an absolute must for all Manfred Mann fans and connoisseurs of British Jazz-Rock of the mid to late 1960s period and a stunning historical document of the period, which should not be missed! The music was compiled by Greg RussoFind albums by this artist, who also wrote the informative booklet accompanying this album – great job mate!

Updated: 13/07/2019Posted: 12/07/2019

CD 2 Remastered Recommend To A Friend

	MANFRED MANN`S EARTH BAND ~ ANGEL STATION COHESION 011 ~ UK ~ Classic Rock 9th album from 1979. As the decade comes to the close, the direction is more rock oriented than ever, but still in very good taste.
Updated: 12/07/2019Posted:	CD 1 Remastered Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend

	MANFRED MANN`S EARTH BAND ~ BEST OF COHESION 018 ~ UK ~ Classic Rock Fantastic collection of the greatests recordings by this group with many rare items added to spice up the contents even more, all previously unreleased. A true homage to this group.
Updated: 12/07/2019Posted:	CD 1 Remastered Recommend To A Friend

	MANFRED MANN`S EARTH BAND ~ BEST OF VOL.2 COHESION 020 ~ UK ~ Classic Rock Second volume of this fantastic collection of the greatests recordings by this group with many rare items added to spice up the contents even more, all previously unreleased. A true homage to this group.
Updated: 12/07/2019Posted:	CD 1 Remastered Recommend To A Friend

	MANFRED MANN`S EARTH BAND ~ BUDAPEST LIVE COHESION 014 ~ UK ~ Classic Rock 12th album from 1983. The first official live album by the band, recorded in the Hungarian capital. Includes live versions of well known greats in extended versions. Remastered and with bonus tracks.
Updated: 12/07/2019Posted:	CD 1 Recommend To A Friend

	MANFRED MANN`S EARTH BAND ~ CHANCE COHESION 012 ~ UK ~ Classic Rock 10th album from 1980. In his usual good form, a more contemporary oriented selection of Manfred`s original tunes, with many guest musicians, including Trevor Rabin from Yes.
Updated: 12/07/2019Posted:	CD 1 Remastered Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend

	MANFRED MANN`S EARTH BAND ~ CRIMINAL TANGO COHESION 015 ~ UK ~ Classic Rock 13th album from 1986. Back in great shape and with the original singer (Chris Thompson) this is another fine release by the band.
Updated: 12/07/2019Posted:	CD 1 Remastered Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend

	MANFRED MANN`S EARTH BAND ~ GLORIFIED MAGNIFIED COHESION 004 ~ UK ~ Classic Rock 2nd album from 1972. Same kind of material. If you like the Earth Band, you`ll get all of them anyway. Remastered and with bonus tracks.
Updated: 12/07/2019Posted:	CD 1 Recommend To A Friend

MANFRED MANN`S EARTH BAND ~ MANFRED MANN`S EARTH BAND COHESION 003 ~ UK ~ Classic Rock 1st album from 1971. Mann created this new band, which will be his vehicle for the years to come, in order to do his own thing - to play ambitious music free from commercial limitations. This album starts a long series of releases, all of witch are brilliant Prog music, slightly on the `lighter` and more melodic side. Remastered and with bonus tracks.

Updated: 12/07/2019Posted:

CD 1 Recommend To A Friend

	MANFRED MANN`S EARTH BAND ~ MANN ALIVE COHESION 1 ~ UK ~ Classic Rock 16th album from 1998. A 2CD set recorded live by Manfred and the group during the `Soft Vengeance` tour. A great collection of tracks not only from that album but spanning the entire group`s history. Very vibrant and powerful.
Updated: 12/07/2019Posted:	CD 1 Recommend To A Friend

	MANFRED MANN`S EARTH BAND ~ MASQUE COHESION 016 ~ UK ~ Classic Rock 14th album from 1987. Includes Manfred`s ambitious project of rewriting parts of Gustav Holst`s `Planets Suite`. This was to be the last album before a break of almost 10 years occurred till the next album was released. Remastered and with bonus tracks.
Updated: 12/07/2019Posted:	CD 1 Recommend To A Friend

	MANFRED MANN`S EARTH BAND ~ MESSIN` COHESION 005 ~ UK ~ Classic Rock 3rd album from 1973. Mann is one of the first musicians who becomes aware of the environmental problems created by modern society and his albums deal with this issue.
Updated: 12/07/2019Posted:	CD 1 Remastered Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend

	MANFRED MANN`S EARTH BAND ~ NIGHTINGALES AND BOMBERS COHESION 008 ~ UK ~ Classic Rock 6th album from 1975. Another huge commercial success but contents as strong as ever with great melodies and elaborate arrangements.
Updated: 12/07/2019Posted:	CD 1 Remastered Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend

MANFRED MANN`S EARTH BAND ~ RADIO DAYS VOL. 4 EAST CENTRAL ONE 4 (Barcode: 5060051334498) ~ UK ~ Progressive Rock Recorded: 1971 - 1973 Released: 2019 This is the fourth volume of an archive series collecting the BBC radio recordings by the various groups led by British keyboardist / composer / bandleader Manfred MannFind albums by this artist. This volume, recorded between 1971 and 1973 includes the recordings by the first incarnation of Manfred Mann`s Earth BandFind albums by this artist, which consisted of Mann on keyboards, Mick RogersFind albums by this artist on vocals and guitar, Colin PattendenFind albums by this artist on bass and Chris SladeFind albums by this artist on drums. The album presents twenty one tracks, which include radio recordings with original announcements, altogether a superb historical glance at British Progressive Rock at its best. The group is still alive and kicking today (2019), now in its fifth decade of activity and many wonderful album releases under the belt. The material included here comes mostly from the first four albums by the group: the eponymous debut ("Manfred Mann`s Earth BandFind albums with this title"), "Glorified MagnifiedFind albums with this title", "Messin`Find albums with this title", and "Solar FireFind albums with this title". Manfred Mann´s Earth Band was from its inception an integral part of the British Progressive Rock movement, although it operated within a unique outline dominated by Mann´s compositions and his Jazz influenced keyboards wizardry and imaginative improvisation skills. His pioneering keyboard technique and especially the wonderful usage of the Moog synthesizer established him as one of the most revered keyboards player on the scene. His extended keyboard extravaganzas, which can be heard here, are among the finest examples of Moog playing in Progressive Rock, way more advanced that what other synthesizer players at the time were doing. As appropriate for the genre, some of the tracks present here are extended versions of album tracks, running beyond the ten minutes mark and in one case almost reaching the twenty minutes mark. In contrast to many other attempts by Prog groups, which often resulted in boring excessive doodling, the music present here is exciting and fascinating all the way through. Overall this is an absolute must for all Manfred Mann fans and connoisseurs of British Progressive Rock of the early 1970s period and a stunning historical document of the period, which should not be missed! The music was compiled by Greg RussoFind albums by this artist, who also wrote the informative booklet accompanying this album – great job mate!

Updated: 13/07/2019Posted: 13/07/2019

CD 2 Remastered Recommend To A Friend

	MANFRED MANN`S EARTH BAND ~ SOFT VENGEANCE GRAPEVINE 213 ~ UK ~ Classic Rock 15th album from 1996. Manfred is back in his formidable form with a selection of great tunes and a powerful band. A concept album of sorts, includes a lengthy suite in the best Prog tradition.
Updated: 12/07/2019Posted:	CD 1 Recommend To A Friend

	MANFRED MANN`S EARTH BAND ~ SOLAR FIRE COHESION 006 ~ UK ~ Classic Rock 4th album from 1973. The most successful one which brought this band to a much wider audience.
Updated: 12/07/2019Posted:	CD 1 Remastered Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend

	MANFRED MANN`S EARTH BAND ~ SOMEWHERE IN AFRICA COHESION 013 ~ UK ~ Classic Rock 11th album from 1982. A great concept album, incorporating elements of World Music and for the first time female vocals on some of the tracks.
Updated: 12/07/2019Posted:	CD 1 Remastered Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend

	MANFRED MANN`S EARTH BAND ~ THE GOOD EARTH COHESION 007 ~ UK ~ Classic Rock 5th album from 1974. Again concerned with environment issues. The band is getting more polished and inventive all the time. Remastered and with bonus tracks.
Updated: 12/07/2019Posted:	CD 1 Recommend To A Friend

	MANFRED MANN`S EARTH BAND ~ THE ROARING SILENCE COHESION 009 ~ UK ~ Classic Rock 7th album from 1976. Considered one of the best by this group. Great melodies, vocals and instrumental performances.
Updated: 12/07/2019Posted:	CD 1 Remastered Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend

	MANFRED MANN`S EARTH BAND ~ WATCH COHESION 010 ~ UK ~ Classic Rock 8th album from 1978. Considered to be the finest of the later albums.
Updated: 12/07/2019Posted:	CD 1 Remastered Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend