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Michael Manring: The Book of Flame
By"Theseus in the Rains" is a funkified, burpin' bass joy with that telltale Manring hornsound lead. He shifts from a tar pit stomp lethargy to a toe-tappin' alley cat strut in a heartbeat. Truly fun. "Your Ad" is like part II of "Theseus . . ." and adds offending alien invader sound effects. Yeah, yet another a sample-crazy framework for Manring to go wild in. Yo, dis be da phat cool thang happnin y'all. I am tempted to boogie down. "The Adamski Photographs" is crying out to be part III after "Your Ad" with straight up piano added in for the finale with Manring doing guitarish leads that flow right into a Stanley Clarke groove. "Dromedary" is high octane enuff in spots to peel paint or melt the annuli off your woofers. Watch out.
Oh there is much more variety within but I leave the joy of discovery to you now. Live studio piece "No Wontons for Elvis" has a Michael Hedges Live on the Double Planet feel to it and as if Hedges were playing through Manring. (Dear God, We miss ya Hedges.) And to say goodbye to his friend, Manring calms down all the pandemonium on "The Book of Living and Dying" (for Michael Hedges, 1953-1997) and outros into memories and silence. Highly recommended!
Personnel
Michael Manring
bassAlbum information
Title: The Book of Flame | Year Released: 1999 | Record Label: Alchemy Records
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