MASQUE - SONGS AND PLANETS

This Manfred Mann's EB album is last in line of his active period, his last work in eighties as well. Next album will be recorded almost after decade, but they would never return to form for few decades after.

The album contains strange mix of light jazzy pop, rock and r'n'b songs, with slight world touch in moments. Vocals (male and female) both are not bad at all, and some arrangements sound pleasant. Many sunny jazzy winds, keyboards, slightly African drumming... Many compositions are influenced by pop-rock from 60-s or even earlier pop-songs. Almost everywhere you can find short pleasant music there.

But the main problem is the album in whole is bulky, has no direction and in fact is a collection of raw, unfinished songs. Production is terrible as well, so during the listening you feel like some demo versions or raw musical ideas are demonstrated.

I believe that musical material on this album is better than the final product. But in the form it was released the album can hardly attract even band's fan. And it's pity, but extensive later releases will be even worse.