MANDALABAND III is the third reincarnation of an extraordinary progressive rock band with a long history. In fact, it has been thirty years since their last album (this must be a world record!) and expectations are pretty high for the two albums currently in production.The first and original album 'MANDALABAND' was released by Chrysalis in October 1975 and created quite a stir with its bombastic 'Om Mani Padme Hum' – a four-movement work for rock band and choir, the lyrics of which form the basis of the Tibetan national anthem. These Tibetan lyrics were 'performed' by lead singer Dave Durant and the London Chorale, whilst the other members of the band were Vic Emerson (keyboards), Ashley Mulford (guitars), Tony Cresswell (drums) and John Stimpson (bass), with David Rohl as founder, writer and studio engineer for the band. Emerson, Mulford, Cresswell and Stimpson later went on to form Sade Cafe along with lead singer, Paul Young, and rhythm guitarist, Ian Wilson.Mandalaband I: L to R - John, Dave, Vic (front), Tony (back) and AshleyIn the meantime, Chrysalis had asked David Rohl to write and produce a second Mandalaband album, making use of all the singers and fellow musicians David had befriended during his time at Indigo and Strawberry Studios in Manchester, where he was Chief Engineer during the 1970s. Two years later, the result was 'THE EYE OF WENDOR' – a concept album based on a Tolkienesque fantasy set in a prehistoric world of warlocks, witches, sea-monsters, battling heroes, and a magical gemstone of great supernatural power.Vocalists on this album included: Justin Hayward (Moody Blues), Eric Stewart (10cc), Maddy Prior (Steeleye Span), Graham Gouldman (10cc), Kevin Godley (10cc), Lol Creme (10cc), and Paul Young (Sad Cafe & Mike and the Mechanics). Musicians included: Ritchie Close, David Rohl and Woolly Wolstenholme (Barclay James Harvest) on sundry keyboards; Noel Redding (Jimmy Hendrix Experience), Les Holroyd (BJH), Graham Gouldman (10cc), Pete Glennon and Alf Tramontin on bass guitars; Steve Broomhead (Maestoso), John Lees (BJH) and Jimmy McDonnell on guitars; Phil Chapman on saxes and flutes; Gerry Murphy on Northumbrian Pipes; Kim Turner (Maestoso), Mel Pritchard (BJH) and Dave Hassle on drums & percussion; plus the Halle orchestra and Gerald Brown Singers for all the classical bits. Quite a line up!THE EYE OF WENDOR was released in May 1978 to much bemusement (some might say indifference) but, over the years, it has come to be recognised as one of the great classic prog rock albums and the most complete concept album of its time and genre.Thirty years later we have MANDALABAND III about to be relaunched onto the unsuspecting world – a brotherhood of musicians (some ex-Mandalaband, some new) under the guiding hands (digits and ears) of David Rohl. The band are busy producing two progressive rock (actually David prefers to call them regressive rock) albums, with all the old flourish and grandeur of Mandalaband I and II – but with the lusciously rich sounds and dynamic technology of the modern sampling era. The uncompromising brief from David to the guys tasked with writing the new compositions was 'majesty and magnificence' and that's exactly what you can expect (give or take the odd slide into musical comedy or Gilbert & Sullivan).The first of the two albums to be released is called 'BC – ANCESTORS' and covers the heroic age of our ancient ancestral history (leading up to the birth of Christ). The second album will be entitled 'AD – SANGREAL' and concerns itself with the Romano-Spanish legends surrounding the Holy Grail (minus King Arthur).Twenty-five new songs and compositions which will take your breath away with their majestic themes and massive orchestrations, from 6/8 overtures which swing like a drunken sailor, to heavy rock guitar solos played in the heroic fashion, to melancholy classical opuses in that familiar Woollyesque style – it's all there with your one-and-only, reborn, re-invigorated, uncompromising, regressive concept band of the century (all eight years of it). The very best bunch of wrinkly musicians you could ever hope for, resurrected from the dead in all their pompous glory, brought together by music's very own Machiavelli, and all performing in the best possible taste! real editor best profile tools real editor best profile tools
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