Release Date: March 9, 2024
Label: Inside Out Music
From the first note to the
last, this recording demands your attention. Each song is a masterpiece, a
testament to the band's musical prowess and creativity. There was not one song
I did not appreciate, a rare feat in music.
Side One starts with "Blood in the Water," a high-energy mover. The
flute begins (thank you, Ian Anderson), and then some cool retro-sounding keys
come into the mix. The lyrics are something to pay attention to from start to
finish, and this has some clear messages. "Sharks are hungry, and the
water is deep," was one phrase. These words, delivered with great harmonies
and vocals, resonate deeply, evoking a sense of urgency and the need for
vigilance. I do not think they are talking about fish, though.
"Enigma of
Reason" follows with a mellow beginning, soft acoustics with guitar and
percussion. It continues with that steady pace and feeling as they sing,
"Walking on hot coals and feeling my feet are cold." It picks up more
intensity with the addition of an electric guitar and some faster-paced keys
with variable vocalizations ranging from slow to fast. It slows down again, and
a smooth sax enters, followed by a trumpet. A notable bass line is apparent,
and then a superb acoustic guitar (Al DiMeola) with worldly accents treating
your senses. It is progressive in every way. Remember that these tracks are not
short and have plenty of space for all the instruments to add their unique
sounds and atmospheres.
"The Wanderer"
closes out the first side with a slow burner. Because of the same accent, the
vocals immediately reminded me of Roine Stolt (Flower Kings, etc.). Leslie
Mandoki, Nick Van Eede, and Tony Carey provide the vocals. The distinctive
backdrop of music for the words and emphasis on how they are presented
takes hold of you as they sing, "This land is full of tears after decades
of fears." Words of strong meaning come through.
Side two starts with
"The Big Quit," which opens with a funkier sound. It is a total
departure from previous tracks, but very good. I appreciate the lyrics; they
ring true to how we live, and the meaning gets an exclamation point:
"Nobody wants to work." Some quick flourishes of picking on the
acoustic guitar with an interesting mix of vocal exchanges get your attention.
Horns chime in and gather momentum as the guitar continues with fantastic
clarity and consistency. It's an exciting and entertaining song. Another line
that got me was, "Easy times created easy people; easy people bring us
hard times." Then, words are
reversed to serve an equally tricky
situation in an endless circle. Thought-provoking lyrics and great music are an
unbeatable combination.
"Devil's
Encyclopedia" is the best-lyrically written song on the album. The flute
starts, and percussion rings true as they sing, "Dogs of war are
howling" and "Social media becomes the Devil's encyclopedia."
Those words are so accurate, sad as they have become, and how they have changed
our lives. Some good harmonies populate the space given and sync with the
rhythms. Those elements put a lot of emphasis on those words of truth. This one
was my favorite track. Adequate breaks and pauses on the vocals give you more
appreciation for the musicianship and excellent vocalizations when they are
there. I loved the line, "When words fail, the music speaks,"
and never more accurate as the listen continues.
"A Memory of My Future" closes side two with an excellent backbeat and a superb acoustic
guitar with all its elegance and color. It is a superior way to end that side
with the title track.
Side three starts with
"I Am Because You Are," which is very soft with a relaxed ambiance
and matching music and vocal tones. The track's title is explained
well, and the vocals seemingly float over the music with a gentle push.
"My Share of Your
Life" is dynamic, as they sing, "Sharing life in this much too short
life." It hits home. The track's easygoing heartbeat and ever-present
acoustic guitar are gorgeous. The lyrics carry a sadness of reality as the
music sounds off with some great timing. Some solid electric guitar lines make
their presence known. The repeating chorus makes a strong impact. As with all
of the tracks, each instrument is recognized, and as a listener, you are very conscious of that
and how it fits in shaping the story.
Side four begins as we
approach the end of this magnificent musical journey. "Matchbox
Racing" reminded me fondly of being a little boy and treasuring those little
toys. Horns, keys, bass, and guitars merge for a beautiful musical story. All
the pieces fit together nicely as they sing this prolific line: "Don't
dream your life, live your life." Sage words wrapped around outstanding
prog-rock fusion.
"We Stay Loud"
lives up to its name and is exciting as they sing "Bang it out and stay
loud," damn straight! Solid bass lines drive it along with percussion,
keeping perfect time. Horns give it an upbeat orchestral feel. I enjoyed the
vocals resonating throughout to get the necessary energy flowing and make a
believer out of you. I believe!
They could not have ended
this album with a better-titled track. "Melting Pot" defines who they
are and what kind of music you will hear as the fusion of sounds continues with
great defining moments. It starts very mildly with a minimalist approach; now,
who would have thought that, right? The sax and keys change the mood with added
instruments here and there to keep it interesting, which they manage to do on
every track. There is no time for boredom or your mind drifting while listening
to this music. This instrumental lets you focus only on the brilliance of
all the musicians. And it serves as a reminder of just how powerful music can
be in the hands of the right people. Some nice acoustic piano gets in the mix,
and it's classically flavored for another surprising twist.
So, with Mandoki Souls on A
Memory of Our Future, it's
more about the choices of words and the music that drive the message. It is
great music by a talented group of people, and they prove it in every track. If
you want to listen to vinyl and some progressive rock fusion, this is one slice
of pie you need to digest all in one sitting.
The publicity for this
album explains it like this: an intergenerational supergroup of rock
and fusion grandmasters with Ian Anderson (Jethro Tull), Mike Stern, Al di Meola,
Randy Brecker, Till Brönner, Bill Evans, John Helliwell (Supertramp), Cory
Henry, Richard Bona, Steve Bailey, Simon Phillips (Toto), Leslie Mandoki, Tony
Carey (Rainbow), Nick van Eede (Cutting Crew), Jesse Siebenberg,
and Mark Hart (both Supertramp).
How could you possibly
miss that stellar lineup? Nope, it's a bullseye!
Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck TFOV Founder
June 6, 2024
Tracks:
Disc: 1
1. Blood in the Water
2. Enigma of Reason
3. The Wanderer
Disc: 2
1. The Big Quit
2. Devil's Encyclopedia
3. A Memory of My Future
Disc: 3:
1. I Am Because You Are
2. My Share of Your Life
3. Age of Thought
Disc: 4
1. Matchbox Racing
2. We Stay Loud
3. Melting Pot
