...SIŁA I PIĘKNO MUZYKI TKWIĄ W JEJ RÓŻNORODNOŚCI..


..::OPIS::..

To wspaniałe wydawnictwo przygotowano dla uczczenia 40. rocznicy powstania zespołu. Pięknie wydany zestaw zawiera 21 CD (zremasterowanych i opakowanych jak LP), 36-stronicową książeczkę z historią zespołu i szczegółowymi opisami każdego albumu oraz 32-stronicową książkę ze wspomnieniami Manfreda, anegdotami i plakatem przedstawiającym aktualny skład zespołu.

Atrakcją jest bez wątpienia album 'Live In Ersingen' zarejestrowany 22 lipca 2011r. z nowym wokalistą Robertem Hartem oraz kompilacja 'Leftovers' zawierająca przebojowe single, nie publikowane wcześniej nagrania oraz rarytasy.
Nakład zestawu jest limitowany!



I would have given up long ago with the EARTH BAND had not my dad bought "Somewhere in Afrika" on cassette just as it was released here in America. This is the version with the hit "Runner". I couldn't be more surprised with this album. The EARTH BAND released way too many albums that were too commercial for my liking after "The Roaring Silence". And while the music on "Somewhere in Afrika" still sticks to the 3-4 minute song format meant for radio airplay, the band now incorporated African music with pop. Think of a precursor to Peter GABRIEL's "So" or Paul SIMON's "Graceland" (both from 1986). But the major difference is "Somewhere in Afrika" has a much more darker and serious tone than "Graceland" ever did.
The reason is it's partially a concept album against Apartheid-ran South Africa (MANN had left South Africa in the early '60s to England because of Apartheid, as had many other South African born musicians, like Trevor Rabin or Duncan MacKay). Here you get a version of the POLICE's "Demolition Man". Here Steve Waller is the one singing the vocals. This version is trimmed down quite a bit from the original off "Ghost in the Machine", making it easier for radio stations to play it than the original. Plus there's no horns as in the original. "Runner", found on the American version actually became a minor hit. There's also a cover of Al STEWART's "Nostradamus", called "Eyes of Nostradamus" here, again, trimmed down and shortned, but still a well-produced and well-played song. "Third World Service" is another great piece where the band combined African music with pop.

The second half of the album consists of everything from full-blown African music, to a cover of Bob MARLEY's "Redemption Song" to a suite that is basically a collection of songs protesting Apartheid. Having just the cassette, the thing bothering me is no mention of who was in the band, but I do know that Steve Waller is there, playing guitar and singing. Mann even at this point is still playing his Minimoog! But I also assume the band also had some African musicians helping out as well. Certainly, as far as African/'80s pop hybrids went, it certainly did not have the success of Peter GABRIEL's "So" and Paul SIMON's "Graceland" from a few years later, it's still recommended if you like that style of music.

Proghead


As the title suggests, African rhythms are predominant on this album. Side two of the LP is occupied by the "Africa suite", which, while nominally occupying about 10 minutes, effectively lasts for the whole side. The highlight of the side is the interpretation of BOB MARLEY's "Redemption song", a rousing modern day hymn, full of optimism and hope. Chris Thompson's vocals are perfect for the track, sitting comfortably on top of the tribal "No Kwazulu" backing vocals.

Elsewhere on the album, there is a cover version of the vastly underrated Al Stewart's "Eyes of Nostradamus". While the version here does full justice to an excellent song, it does not add anything to Stewart's definitive original (his live version on the "Indian summer" album is also superb).

I never particularly rated STING'S "Demolition man" in the first place, and the disappointingly faithful rendition included here does little to change that. MMEB have come up with many fine cover versions, especially of songs written by Bob Dylan and Bruce Springsteen (and now of course Bob Marley), but "Demolition man" falls into the notable exception category.

The three "conventional" MMEB tracks on the first side (which include the two cover versions mentioned above) sit slightly uneasily with the overt African influences of all the remaining tracks. They are sandwiched between the synth backed chanting of "Tribal statistics" and the first appearance of the recurring theme "Brothers and sisters of Anzaia". The band do however successfully blend together their own melodic rock sound with the ethnic African sounds which dominate much of this album.

Over the last couple of decades, the trek to Africa for inspiration has become a well worn path for many artists. Manfred Mann's South African heritage however probably offers greater credibility to his venture than that of some of his peers.

In all, a rather inconsistent, but ultimately enjoyable album by MMEB, with a couple of excellent tracks, and some good instrumental work.

Easy Livin



..::TRACK-LIST::..

CD 11 - Somewhere In Afrika (1982):
1. Tribal Statistics 4:16
Written By - Qunta

2. Eyes Of Nostradamus 3:30
Written By - Stewart

3. Third World Service 5:21
Written By - Anthony Moore

4. Demolition Man 3:45
Written By - Sting

5. Brothers And Sisters Of Azania 2:50
Written By - Mann

6. Africa Suite:
a. Brothers And Sisters Of Africa 3:08
Written By - Mann

b. To Bantustan? 2:37
Written By - Mann

c. Koze Kobenini? 1:25
Written By - Mann, Irwing

d. Lalela 1:34
Written By - Mann, Lingwood

7. Redemption Song (No Kwazulu) 7:37
Written By - Marley

8. Somewhere In Africa 1:38
Arranged By - Lingwood, Mann
Written By - Traditional



..::OBSADA::..

Manfred Mann - keyboards, synthesisers, vocals ("Brothers and Sisters of Azania" and its reprise in the 7 minute version of "Redemption Song")
John Lingwood - drums, percussion
Steve Waller - vocals, guitar ("Eyes of Nostradamus", "Third World Service", "Demolition Man" and "To Bantustan?")
Chris Thompson - vocals ("Runner", "Tribal Statistics", "Brothers and Sisters of Africa" and "Redemption Song")
Matt Irving - bass, programming (MC4)
Shona Laing - vocals
Trevor Rabin - lead guitar on "Redemption Song", guitar solo on "Runner"
Mick Rogers - guitar, backing vocals on "Runner"

African vocals recorded in London Chief Dawethi, Fats Mothya, Jabu Mbalu, Rufus Sefothuma, Zanty Lekau




https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k8AgERfCW7k



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