“A Memory of Our Future, ranks among the best of collective’s dozen albums. Featuring a who’s who of prog, jazz and rock luminaries. The lineup on the album tells you pretty much everything you need to know about the level of musical sophistication and professional respect Mandoki commands, as a composer, bandleader and collaborator.“
– THE PROG REPORT –
MEMORY OF OUR FUTURE
More than three decades after its inception, the Mandoki Soulmates band, led by founder Leslie Mandoki, has not only set breakthrough musical standards with their new album “A Memory Of Our Future,” but has also delivered a masterpiece of audio production technology: an entire album recorded and produced in the analog domain—from first note to finished vinyl.
Needless to say, the production of an 80-minute concept album is a rare undertaking in today’s musical landscape. On top of that, the purely analog signal processing used throughout, from microphone to mixing and mastering, to vinyl lacquer cutting, makes “A Memory Of Our Future” a manifesto of precision and passion that can be felt in every note of this magnum opus.
The recording and the mix in Leslie Mandoki’s Red Rock Studios near Munich, the mastering of the analog mix-down tape by the renowned Greg Calbi (John Lennon, Bob Dylan, Paul Simon, Bruce Springsteen) at Sterling Sound in New York, and the vinyl master cut at Emil Berliner Studios are bona fides of the level of the album’s audiophile excellence. With a recording and production process hard to find in contemporary music, the band has captured a warmth and vibrancy in their sound that is often lost in digital recordings.
Put all together, the Soulmates have created a work of musical diversity that ranges from prog to jazz rock, combining compositional maturity, playful ease, and artful solos with great arcs of tension and profound lyrics with socio-political themes.
This inter-generational supergroup of rock and fusion grandmasters with Ian Anderson (Jethro Tull), Mike Stern, Al di Meola, Randy Brecker, Till Brönner, Bill Evans, John Helliwell (Supertramp), Cory Henry, Richard Bona, Steve Bailey, Simon Phillips (Toto), Leslie Mandoki, Tony Carey (Rainbow), Nick van Eede (Cutting Crew), Jesse Siebenberg and Mark Hart (both Supertramp), are calling
out for action against division and for humanity with this album.
With “A Memory Of Our Future,” the Soulmates achieve a unique fusion of audiophile excellence and socio-politically relevant music. This album is not just for fans of prog and jazz rock but for anyone who appreciates authentic music.
LESLIE MANDOKI – vocals, drums, percussion & udu
IAN ANDERSON – flute
AL DI MEOLA – guitars
MIKE STERN – guitars
RANDY BRECKER – trumpet & flugelhorn
TILL BRÖNNER – trumpet & flugelhorn
TONY CAREY – vocals, Hammond & piano
CORY HENRY – Hammond, piano & Rhodes
NICK VAN EEDE – vocals
RICHARD BONA – bass, vocals
JESSE SIEBENBERG – vocals, guitars
JOHN HELLIWELL – saxophones, clarinet
JULIA MANDOKI – vocals
BILL EVANS – tenor & soprano saxophones
MARK HART – vocals
SIMON PHILLIPS – drums
STEVE BAILEY – bass
With their new album, A MEMORY OF OUR FUTURE, the MANDOKI SOULMATES nourish our reservoir of hope and strengthen our resilience against a pessimism that threatens to consume us all. As a musical community of values, they unwaveringly hang a light at the end of the tunnel, and remind us that rock music has always sung for freedom in peace and for peace in freedom, sending a clear message with the power and sound of a Woodstock 4.0.
With the 12 new tracks on A Memory Of Our Future, the band hangs a beacon of light at the end of the depressing tunnel of today, and remind us that rock music has always sung for freedom in peace and for peace in freedom.
1. BLOOD IN THE WATER 6:54
2. ENIGMA OF REASON 10:06
3. THE WANDERER 5:03
4. THE BIG QUIT 8:35
5. DEVIL’S ENCYCLOPEDIA 5:47
6. A MEMORY OF MY FUTURE 6:26
7. I AM BECAUSE YOU ARE 4:32
8. MY SHARE OF YOUR LIFE 7:48
9. AGE OF THOUGHT 4:38
10. MATCHBOX RACING 6:56
11. WE STAY LOUD 5:25
12. MELTING POT 5:51