Plain and Fancy: Manfred Mann Chapter Three - Manfred Mann Chapter Three (1969 south africa / uk, extraordinary space psych prog brass rock, 2004 japan remaster and expanded)

Way-Out musical patterns, sometimes sounding like outer space sounds and then with brass blaring at you, and then going jazzy. Vocals are mouthed so you can't quite hear them, and the cacophony is ragged and untidy, as if everyone is playing their bit regardless of the others or the whole.

But then the original Manfreds here Mann and Hugg-say "(This) represents in general what we personally have been waiting to do for some years."

Mike Hugg takes the vocals (sounds a bit like Peter Lorre) and plays piano, deserting the drums, which are played by Craig Collinge. Manfred is on organ and Bernie Living on alto-flute, while Steve York is on bass guitar. Other musicians are brought in as needed, plus Madeline Bell, Sue and Sonny, trumpet soloist Harold Beckett, and guitarist Brian Hugg. Mann and Hugg wrote all 11 titles.

Manfred puts his voice through a distortion for One Way Glass, and Mike plays wistful piano on Where Am I Going. If you like your music weirdo, this is for you. Other titles: Travelling Man, Snake- skin Garter, Konekul, Sometimes, Devil Woman, Time, Mister You're A Better Man Than 1. Ain't It Sad. A Study in Inaccuracy.

by Allen Evans, NME, October 1969

1969's "Manfred Mann Chapter Three", is light years from the airy pop of "Do Wah Diddy Diddy," recorded by the hit-making first group formed by South African Manfred Mann and Mike Hugg in 1963. This is as much jazz as rock. There's hardly any guitar, but a swaggering horn section compensates. Imagine a darker, moodier Traffic with Mann manning the organ instead of Steve Winwood. Hugg's raspy vocals are featured on the first album recorded with the new band. The standout tracks are the album-opening "Travelling Lady" and "Time," but they are hardly the only strong ones.

by Mark Allan