There is nothing quite like the joy of an untold story in pop, especially from an artist who is already much-loved. Since 1972, Phil Manzanera, all fly-glasses and guitar shapes, has been an art-household name as part of Roxy Music; fewer, however, are aware of his stellar solo career that has run parallel with the group’s activities. Now, to shine the brightest light, guitarist, writer, artist, producer and collaborator Manzanera presents 50 Years of Music, a celebratory 11-CD/100-page hardback book cornucopia that covers this six-decade solo career.
With collaborators such as Brian Eno, David Gilmour, Tim Finn, Andy Mackay, Robert Wyatt, Eddie Jobson, John Wetton and Rhett Davies, 50 Years of Music, plays like a vital alternative history of pop. While others later were to make much of ‘world music’, Manzanera was quietly making sounds inspired by a childhood that saw him travel with his Colombian mother and English father to Cuba, Venezuela, and Hawaii – these influences, combined with the British beat of his teens, permeates his 10 solo albums, gathered here with unreleased and rare bonus material.
And what of the albums themselves? – there is much to discover. After a spell in Quiet Sun, and then Roxy’s first wave, 1975’s Diamond Head – an album that was to give its name to an influential British heavy metal group – is where the story begins. Featuring some of the finest musicians in London, the album’s invention is apparent from the off, careering between skewiff pop, Latin and rock. Inspired by George Orwell’s 1984, Listen Now from 1977 deals in subtle sonic alchemy. Rolling Stone noted that “Manzanera again with Eno as his lieutenant, delves deeper into a darker, more moody canvas reminiscent of Pink Floyd.” K-Scope was released during Roxy Music’s late 70s hiatus, and the spirit of the age is reflected in sharper, hipper recordings and guest appearances from Tim and Neil Finn from Split Enz, the New Zealand art-rock band that Phil had produced. 1982’s Primitive Guitars is entirely instrumental; each song relating to a period of his life with styles changing appropriately. Southern Cross (1990) explores Phil’s Cuban roots, while 1999’s Vozero offers similar for his South American journeys. 2004’s 6PM marries grooves, ambience, and pop in a pleasing millennial stew; While the Roxy Music reunion of the early 00s reintroduced Andy Mackay and Paul Thompson into Manzanera’s work, old friends Robert Wyatt and Brian Eno joined too for 2005’s 50 Minutes Later. Working with Polish pianist Leszek Możdżer, and long-time collaborator Charles Hayward, Firebird VII (2008) was an affectionate tribute to Manzanera’s trademark guitar, the Gibson Firebird VII. The Sound of Blue from 2015, is a warm, emotional album, that travels through genres like trains pass through stations – a deeply satisfying listen; Sónia Bernardo’s vocal contributions to 1960 Caracas a particular highlight.
Of huge interest too, is the eleventh disc, RARE TWO, a follow-up to 2000’s Rare One, a collection of never-before-released demos, radio sessions, and rare European singles. Rare Two is a personally curated collection of 10 unreleased songs, demos, live tracks, and two rarities from Phil’s archive. Of enormous interest will be the Demo PM 1 by Pink Floyd, the early version of One Slip that Phil wrote with his long-term friend and collaborator David Gilmour. A live version of Impossible Guitars by Roxy Music from 1982 can be enjoyed here as well.
Phil Manzanera’s career is in rude health. He continues to influence and inspire not only his peers, but current and future generations. Out of the blue in 2011, the title track of K-Scope was sampled by Kanye West and Jay Z for their global success, No Church In The Wild. The song was also used in the Baz Luhrmann adaptation of The Great Gatsby and in multiple TV commercials. With this one sample, Manzanera earned more money than in 50 years with Roxy Music. As a token of his thanks, Phil’s own version of No Church In The Wild graces The Sound Of Blue.
50 Years of Music is beautifully presented in a 10”x10” hard-slip case with a tasteful matt finish and spot varnish, with three wallets holding the eleven CDs featuring original artwork throughout. Overseen by Phil, the albums have been remastered by Alchemy Mastering’s Barry Grint at London’s renowned Air Studios. A 100-page book accompanies this extraordinary musical journey. With photos, handwritten notes, tape boxes, scribbles, clippings, alternate artwork, lyrics, compositions, thoughts as well as the original album booklets, the hardback book is intended to enlighten and amuse.
50 Years of Music is an extra-special release from an extra-special artist;
a unique artefact of a glorious, ongoing career.
