AUTOBIOGRAPHIE

MANNA/MIRAGE is the project of former MUFFINS member Dave Newhouse, a multi-instrumentalist and composer. Naming the project after THE MUFFINS debut album this is studio album number five and I have the debut and this one only. I do prefer this one over the more jazzy debut but both are very good records. I really like the packaging including the album cover. But Dave goes to great lengths to list who is playing on each track and also a little blurb from himself talking about each track. Nine tracks worth over 46 plus minutes of classy music.

There are only two musicians that I recognized including Guy Segers from UNIVERS ZERO playing bass on two tracks and Michael Zentner adding violin on the opener. This was mixed and mastered by Mike Potter over at the famous Orion Studios in Baltimore, MD. The opener "Phantosmia" features both Zentner and Segers and I have to say the start of this track and album surprised me at the depth and power. Not that it's that strong but for this project it is. This is a top three track for me and you have to check out Zentner after 1 1/2 minutes where he gets a little avant. It turns surprisingly dark and experimental after 4 minutes with those piano lines and atmosphere.

The kalimba from Newhouse sounds pretty cool on "Rounded By Sleep" especially late. Bass and trombone standout as well. "Practising Tonglin In A Time Of War" is my least favourite with the accordion and rhythm sounding like a European Folk tune. "Section W" is a top three for me and the flute, piano and intricate sounds are appealing and there's even some static from a shortwave radio. It's interesting reading Dave's words about the song "Close The Sky" because it was a new way for him to compose and he's quite detailed about it. Segers plays bass here we get busy drums along with marimba and harmonica. It does get experimental along with some dissonance.

So much going on in "Instant Cloud Effect" with the flute, bass clarinet, keys and percussion all played by Dave. "Love Song For A Country" was originally to have vocals, Dave even had Nick Prol lined up to sing on it but changed his mind because he didn't like his own lyrics(haha). "Hope" the closer is my final top three and a ballad I would say although all instrumental. It reminds me of some of the stuff that trumpet player Ibrahim Maalouf plays. Dave is playing a baritone sax here though and he says that instrument can be so delicate and emotionally charged.

A solid 4 star recording. Mature, classy and quite jazzy.