Masque

by Manfred Mann's Earth Band, Manfred Mann

Overview

In 1992, Manfred Mann's Earth Band in its latest incarnation delivered a new album that retraced a few earlier steps and got closer to finishing some ideas that earlier incarnations of the band had begun. The result was Masque, a strange and beautiful (and strangely beautiful) mix of jazz, rock, classical, and pop sounds, drawing on compositions from Paul Weller to Gustav Holst. The most easygoing incarnation of cosmic rock, Masque melds elements of '40s pop (and even big-band swing), synth pop, '70s pop/rock, and classical into a quite beautiful whole that's as seductive as it is dazzling. Mick Rogers and Maggie Ryder's vocals are a potent combination, even plunging into Manhattan Transfer territory with a little studio trickery (on "Billie's Orno Bounce"), and Mann's keyboards and Rogers' guitars make a great lead instrumental combo as well. The strangest piece here, however, is "A Couple of Mates," in which Mann excerpts elements from several other pieces, including Holst's The Planets. The whole album is essential listening for anyone who's ever been a fan of Mann's work, or even of Gustav Holst's music -- even his remake of "Joybringer" (an adaptation of "Jupiter" from The Planets), which had previously been recorded by another version of the Earth Band, is distinctly fresh and startlingly beautiful, so much so that it was chosen to open the album, which is mighty impressive for a remade piece. ~ Bruce Eder

Product Details

Release Date:	03/12/2021
Label:	Creature Music Ltd. / Creature Music Ltd.
UPC:	5060051334634
Rank:	85861

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Manfred Mann's Earth Band   Primary Artist
Manfred Mann   Primary Artist,Primary Artist,Trumpet,Keyboards
Mark Feltham   Bass
Linda Taylor   Vocals
John Lingwood   Drums
Durban Betancourt-Laverde   Bass
Guy Barker   Trumpet
Chris Batchelor   Trumpet
Frank Mead   Saxophone
Mick Rogers   Guitar,Vocals
Andrew Pask   Bass
Tommy Willis   Guitar
Ian Porter   Emulator
Denny Newman   Bass,Vocals
Byron Bird   Trumpet
Meggie Ryder   Vocals

Technical Credits

Paul Gomersall   Editing
Paul Weller   Composer
Jack Bruce   Composer
Pete Brown   Composer
Robert M. Corich   Remastering,Sleeve Notes
Roger Tebbutt   Editing
Michael Murphy   Composer
Mike Brown   Remastering
Jane Curtis   General Assistance
Mick Rogers   Composer,Producer
Stuart Barry   Engineer
Terry Medhurst   Mixing,Engineer
Anthony More   Programming
Steve Forward   Mixing,Engineer,Producer
Neil Amor   Engineer,General Assistance
Spencer Henderson   Editing
Denny Newman   Composer
Stevie Fernie   Music Business Affairs
Manfred Mann   Composer,Producer
Andrew Buckle   Artwork
Francis Lovell   Design
Hard Times Production   Producer
Andy Taylor   Sleeve Notes