Mandoki Soulmates: A Memory Of Our Future

Three years ago I settled in to pass my musings on the Hungarian Pictures that made up the previous release from Mandoki Soulmates, discovering that the accompanying DVD that went in-depth as to the album’s creation helped unlock aspects of this project’s music that the CD on its own never quite achieved. Memory Of Our Future on the other hand has been set forth to stand on its own merits, with no extra context contained within. Admittedly this version comes replete with an extensive booklet (as does the vinyl version) and 2 CD/digital bonus cuts. It also arrives with a copious and impressive guest list, Leslie Mandoki joined by (among others), Ian Anderson, Al Di Meola, Mike Stern, Randy Brecker, Tony Carey, Nick Van Eede and Simon Phillips. Therefore I don’t need to tell you that the performances here are in the ‘as good as it gets’ realm and I’ll also commend the production - the album was recorded in analogue to give the vinyl version the best chance of sounding immaculate, and the CD also demands those accolades.

Musically, the intention is wide and varied, if doing so within quite a constrained framework. Genre tags lined up for inclusion take in jazz, prog, fusion, rock, AOR and West Coast, and yet all of those strands come together firstly, into a cohesive album that knows exactly what it is, and secondly, as a journey that’s smooth and well, maybe just a little too polite. For me, if there was one thing I’d really have loved to have heard as A Memory Of Our Future unpacked that contradictory title, it would be more fire, a hint of fury and maybe even a whisper of the friction the album name gives hope of. Opener, “Blood On The Water� offers much, Ian Anderson giving a trilling flute masterclass and as introductions go, it’s a classy one, although even here, the keyboard solo does feel the need to meander, while Leslie Mandoki’s vocals prove to be, well, pleasant. If that paints a picture of a bad singer, that would be unfair, this musical veteran possessing a fine voice, but seldom does he push his own envelope. As with a lot of this album, I’m reminded of Peter Gabriel’s latter day solo work, but without those characterful vocals steering the ship it does feel like the wind is just a little too calm to speed us on our way.

For me it’s an issue throughout, the lithe and jazzy, but with a big layered almost pop chorus, “The Big Quit� veers just a little too keenly to the middle of the road, whereas “I Am Because You Are� floats by without demanding your attention. With “Age Of Thought�accordion and trumpet nestle in together to offer up a soulful, heartfelt journey, but it’s not until the second last (and non-vinyl) track, “We Stay Loud� that even a few moments of forcefulness break out and suddenly things become all the more intriguing for doing so.

It’s difficult to be too critical of what’s going on here. As mentioned, the performances are of the highest standard and the overall sound and presentation nigh on perfect. Where, for me, A Memory Of Our Future lacks is dynamics, with all bar a few passages here and there being too gentle and, in places, more sedate than my attention span demands.

Track Listing
1. Blood in the Water 

2. Enigma of Reason
3. The Wanderer

4. The Big Quit 

5. Devil’s Encyclopedia

6. A Memory of My Future 

7. I Am Because You Are 

8. My Share of Your Life
9. Age of Thought

10. Matchbox Racing (Digital version) 

11. We Stay Loud (Digital Version)

12. Melting Pot

Added: November 18th 2024
Reviewer: Steven Reid
Score:
Related Link: Mandoki Soulmates online
Hits: 71
Language: english

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