MANFRED MANN'S EARTH BAND

Debut Manfred Mann's Earth band album. After some years in music business and some pop-rock, r'n'b and jazz-rock albums, Manfred Mann founded new team and made a step to progressive rock field.

This album contains many great Manfred's melodic and arrangement ideas, some strong progressive songs, but at the same time still have strong r'n'b roots. In fact, there listener can hear what Manfred Mann's music was before and what it will be in near future.

Album's opener "California Coastline" is great prog rock song with heavy guitars and spacey keyboards. Next song "Captain Bobby Stout" is great as well, but in its own manner - bluesy/gospel rocker. "Sloth " is one and half minute distorted guitar sound and spacey synth short instrumental.

On "Living without you" MM returns back to sunny pop song from his past. "Tribute " is nice melodic instrumental with tasteful soloing guitar. "Please Mrs. Henry " is Bob Dylan song's cover, not far from original style, but with more soul vocals."Jump sturdy" is another cover, this time Dr.John's. Kind of soul-rock.

"Prayer" is quite standard rock song. "Part time man " and "I'm up and I'm leaving " both are pop-rock ballades very in early Rod Stewart style!

In all, eclectic album with few strong songs, some good ones and some fillers. Still interesting release for MM fans, but for all others it's better to start from some later really excellent albums.

P.S. Some CD re-issues have three mono bonuses (singles).