Mandoki Soulmates ‎– A Memory Of Our Future

In my review of 2019’s Living in the Gap + Hungarian Pictures album I mentioned Leslie Mándoki was one of those musicians who would occasionally crop up in conversation, but other than some YouTube concert footage, I knew little about the man himself, or his soulmates. Well the aforementioned album and the subsequent Utopia For Realists: Hungarian Pictures sorted that out. To recap Living in the Gap + Hungarian Pictures was double album which captured two contrasting sides of the man. Living in the Gap contained a selection of classy, ear friendly songs featuring an impressive cast of musicians and vocalists, however it was the companion disc, Hungarian Pictures which most caught my attention – performed in the main by the same musicians, in a celebration of the music of Hungarian composer Béla Bartók.

2024, and some thirty plus years since its formation the Mandoki Soulmates return with a new album. Now it’s not unusual in the modern era for relatively ‘unknown’ artists/bands to feature guest musicians from around the globe on their albums, and not that Leslie Mándoki is an unknown, however the accompanying musicians appearing on Leslie’s albums beggars’ belief. And although his ‘soulmates’ have changed over the years, some sadly no longer with us, A Memory Of Our Future features Ian Anderson, Al Di Meola, Mike Stern, Randy Brecker, John Helliwell, Bill Evans, Cory Henry, Simon Phillips, to mention just a few…

Time for some music methinks and the album opener Blood In The Water…

So, if you clicked the video then you might initially be forgiven for thinking you had stumbled across a missing track from Jethro Tull’s Roots To Branches. Ian Anderson’s distinctive flute, accompanied by Leslie Mándoki’s Eastern European flavoured percussion set the scene, however this is short lived as the song’s hook-line chorus is straight in: “blood in the water, deep water, blood in the water, I see, blood in the water“.

Now as one who predominately listens to instrumental music, lyrics present an additional slant, or challenge, to the music. Additionally, in the case of Leslie Mándoki, it is crucial to have at least a brief understanding of his background.

Hungarian born, Mándoki fled his home country in the mid-70s to avoid prosecution by the communist regime, finally fleeing to Munich in 1975. Mándoki had been imprisoned seventeen times for his political views. Understandably his lyrics reflect his life’s journey, sometimes autobiographical but always taking a socio-political stance. Blood In The Water is a prime example. And if my perception is correct, I sense this could also be Leslie’s ‘recording’ swansong. The opening verse lyric:

Far from being a melancholic farewell the music rings out with celebration! A ‘pop’ song for grown-ups? At just shy of seven minutes it would need to be chopped in half for modern consumption (please don’t). Blood In The Water has all the requisites, a strong melody, a great hook in the chorus, however it is the arrangement that holds the key. The full seven minutes is chock full of subtle moments with each listening revealing more detail. Particularly engaging is the way the solo passages emerge into the track, particular note for Cory Henry’s Hammond which segues effortlessly into Ian Anderson’s flute… If you didn’t click the track before, now’s a good time…

So, is Blood In The Water typical of the album? Well yes and no!

If we jump to track five, Devil’s Encyclopaedia, then you might easily be led to believe so. Once again musically introduced by Leslie Mándoki and Ian Anderson, and a similarly format is employed with a bouncy rhythm and a hook-laden chorus. Lyrically Leslie champions the courage of the innocents caught up in conflicts, not of their own making. The lyrics also take a side swipe at the destructive and often misguided power of social media…

Leslie comments on the accompanying music video, which “addresses humanity’s eternal questions, crying out against totalitarianism and brutality. These days, wounded hearts are calling and the dogs of war are howling, presenting those of us who want to live peacefully in a free world with a dilemma.” As the song says, “When words fail, music speaks“.

Thus far I’ve highlighted just two tracks from the album and there’s a distinct danger that this review will reach epic proportions – in length that is.

So, an overall précis of some of the remaining ten tracks constituting Memory Of My Future seems to be the order of the day. But, firstly let’s take a glance at the impressive cast (mentioned above and fully listed below) which encompasses such a diverse pool of musical styles covering rock, progressive rock, jazz, fusion, classical, etc – so it is a credit to Leslie Mándoki how he has brought all these musicians together to create such a unified sound. The Big Quit is a prime example – we’ve got a foot-tapping funky rhythm, bold brass, all cocooned within a song framework. There’s an extended middle instrumental which offers brief solo spots – great stuff! What this track demonstrates to me is that all the musicians who appear across the album are wholly invested in the music, rather than simply ‘guns for hire’.

Another fine example, and at just over ten minutes is Enigma of Reason. Again the setting is somewhat laid back, with an infectious vocal and engaging harmonies taking up the early section of the track. Intermingled between the vocals are the tasteful guitar from Al Di Meola, subtle bass from Richard Bona and divine brass and woodwind from Messers Evans, Helliwell, Brönner and Brecker.

Musically there’s a lot to take in, however much of the setting is laid back and therefore ideal for end of the day listening. And what better way to end the day with a selection of immaculately performed, sophisticated, ear friendly songs, tastefully mixed, arranged and produced. A delight for audiophiles too, as the whole recording process is analogue and therefore the production is sonically crystal clear. The album clocks in at eighty minutes, a double album in ‘old money’, and yes, it is available on vinyl.

TRACK LISTING
01. Blood in the Water (6:53)
02. Enigma of Reason (10:05)
03. The Wanderer (5:03)
04. The Big Quit (8:34)
05. Devil’s Encyclopedia (5:47)
06. A Memory of My Future (6:25)
07. I Am Because You Are (4:31)
08. My Share of Your Life (7:47)
09. Age of Thought (4:37)
10. Matchbox Racing (Digital version) (7:02)
11. We Stay Loud (Digital Version) (5:25)
12. Melting Pot (5:51)

Time – 78:00

MUSICIANS
Leslie Mándoki – Vocals, Drums, Percussion, Udu
Ian Anderson – Vocals, Flute
Al Di Meola – Guitar
Mike Stern – Guitar
Randy Brecker – Trumpet, Flugelhorn
Till Bronner – Trumpet, Flugelhorn
Tony Carey – Vocals, Piano, Hammond Organ
Cory Henry – Piano, Hammond Organ
Nick Van Eede – Vocals
Richard Bona – Bass, Vocals
Jesse Siebenberg – Vocals, Guitar
John Helliwell – Tenor, Soprano & Alto Saxophones
Julia Mandoki – Vocals
Bill Evans – Tenor & Soprano Saxophones
Mark Hart – Vocals
Simon Phillips – Drums
Steve Bailey – Bass
~ With:
Fausto Beccalossi – Accordion
Deobrat Flaur – Sitar
Ada Rovatti – Piano, Keyboards
Alkalmas Joseph Angyal – Saxophone, Violin, Flute

ADDITIONAL INFO
Record Label: InsideOut Music
Country of Origin: International
Date of Release: 10^th May 2024

LINKS
Mandoki Soulmates – Website | Facebook | Bandcamp | YouTube