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MICHAEL MANTLER

Jazz Rock/Fusion • Austria


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Michael Mantler biography
Michael Mantler was born in Vienna, Austria in 1943. He studied trumpet and musicology at the Academy of Music, Vienna University and the Berklee School of Music. In 1964 he moved to New York, and began playing trumpetwith Cecil Taylor. Not long afterward, he helped form the Jazz Composer's Guild, a collective of musicians and composers. Since then, he has gone on to perform and record with a wide array of musicians from both the jazz and rock world, from Carla Bley (with whom he recorded a number of albums), Larry Coryell, Mike Stern, to Nick Mason, Don preston, Jack Bruce and John Greaves.

His music is often dark and moody, and lives in the grey area between jazz, classical, rock and avant-garde.

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MICHAEL MANTLER discography


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MICHAEL MANTLER top albums (CD, LP, MC, SACD, DVD-A, Digital Media Download)

2.50 | 2 ratings
Jazz Realities
1966
2.17 | 6 ratings
No Answer
1974
3.50 | 2 ratings
13 3/4
1975
3.72 | 15 ratings
The Hapless Child and other Inscrutable Stories
1976
2.35 | 7 ratings
Silence
1977
3.89 | 9 ratings
Movies
1978
3.92 | 5 ratings
More Movies
1980
3.50 | 2 ratings
Something There
1982
3.33 | 6 ratings
Alien
1985
2.50 | 2 ratings
Many Have No Speech
1988
4.00 | 5 ratings
Folly Seeing All This
1993
4.50 | 2 ratings
The School Of Understanding
1996
4.00 | 2 ratings
Songs And One Symphony
2000
4.00 | 2 ratings
Hide And Seek
2001
0.00 | 0 ratings
Concertos
2008
0.00 | 0 ratings
For Two
2011

MICHAEL MANTLER Live Albums (CD, LP, MC, SACD, DVD-A, Digital Media Download)

2.10 | 2 ratings
Live
1987

MICHAEL MANTLER Videos (DVD, Blu-ray, VHS etc)

MICHAEL MANTLER Boxset & Compilations (CD, LP, MC, SACD, DVD-A, Digital Media Download)

MICHAEL MANTLER Official Singles, EPs, Fan Club & Promo (CD, EP/LP, MC, Digital Media Download)

MICHAEL MANTLER Reviews


Showing last 10 reviews only
 The Hapless Child and other Inscrutable Stories by MANTLER, MICHAEL album cover Studio Album, 1976
3.72 | 15 ratings

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The Hapless Child and other Inscrutable Stories
Michael Mantler Jazz Rock/Fusion

Review by Dobermensch
Prog Reviewer

3 stars The infeasible high pitched vocals of Robert Wyatt paint doom laden pictures of Edward Gorey's spooky, gothic, illustrated fairy tales on this strange little album from '76.

It's somewhat disturbing if you really concentrate on the lyrics. They're full of child neglect and threat, menaced by ghouls and ghosts. A proper Nursery Crime. At one point one gets crushed by a car! This is a claustrophobic recording, full of sad Victorian children and their ghostly exploits set in a 'Jack the Ripper' atmosphere.

'The Hapless Child' sounds like a missing Robert Wyatt solo album given that he's barely absent for five seconds. Unfortunately he has some real difficulties fitting so many words into each tune. It's no fault of his own. The poetry is word heavy and on reading would seem a huge task in converting to a musical score.

Luckily we've got some first class musicians on board. In particular guitarist Terje Rypdal who sprays out some superb electric fusion guitar jazz along with Jack Dejohnette- himself a jazz drummer. Both somehow just manage to keep things from falling apart completely.

It does sound slightly disjointed and out of time, but that's only due to the massive amount of word play. Good old Nick Mason of 'Floyd' appears on this as a 'talker'. He's dismissed to the background however, so don't get yourselves worked up 'Floyd ' fans. You can barely hear him,

You'll appreciate this a whole lot more if you've seen Edward Gorey's spooky illustrations that accompany his, quite frankly bonkers poetry, upon which this recording is based. 'Gorey' lived between 1925-2000 but you'd be forgiven for believing that he lived in the 1800's. He was a strange character who openly admitted that he was wholly asexual, which reflects his rhymes completely.

From the listeners point of view 'The Hapless Child' is as good an interpretation that you're going to get from 'Gorey's' written word transferred to music.

It was an impossible task.

 The Hapless Child and other Inscrutable Stories by MANTLER, MICHAEL album cover Studio Album, 1976
3.72 | 15 ratings

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The Hapless Child and other Inscrutable Stories
Michael Mantler Jazz Rock/Fusion

Review by Mellotron Storm
Prog Reviewer

4 stars 4.5 stars. I still remember the first time I heard about this album, and just the thought of Terje Rypdal and Robert Wyatt playing on the same record almost caused me to go into cardiac arrest. After getting my bearings I immediately went to every music vendor I had ever dealt with only to discover that this recording was long out of print. Some time later I was fortunate enough to find another album that these two played on from this "Violin Summit" in Germany, and they were part of the same band that performed with Sugar Cane Harris and others. Terje and Robert were both playing instruments on that one while here on Mantler's work Robert sings on every track while Terje offers up one of his best performances on guitar.

Michael Mantler wrote the music while American author Edward Gorey wrote the lyrics, or I should say his lyrics from his book "Amphigorey" were used for this recording. Gorey's writings are interesting as he writes chilling and dark novels(accompanied with his own drawings) which are about the bizarre experiences of children, like something out of The Twilight Zone. So yes the mood of this album is dark and eerie and I have to say I have never heard Wyatt sing like this. He really hits the high notes at times but even overall it seems like he is singing out of his comfort zone much of the time, but he sounds great. Terje sounds like he usually does as his guitar cries out of the night throughout this album. What a combination though with Wyatt's voice and Rypdal's guitar playing. Carla Bley produced this and plays string synths, keyboards, clavinet and more while Nick Mason mixed it and added spoken words. The great Jack DeJohnette is on drums while Steve Swallow is on bass.

"The Sinking Spell" opens with people talking as piano and vocals come in. Guitar and synths arrive quickly and there's no mistaking Terje's playing here and throughout. Rypdal and Wyatt trade off throughout. This is where Wyatt sings in a high pitched manner. Vocal melodies from Robert late as Terje rips it up. "The Object Lesson" opens with piano and drums as almost mono-toned vocals help out. Guitar joins in on the melancholy. Some cool sounding keyboards when Wyatt stops singing briefly. When the vocals return the music becomes more avant sounding. Man Terje can play. "The Insect God" is urgent sounding where Robert almost speaks the vocal parts in a fast paced manner. Rypdal sets the soundscape on fire each time the vocals stop. The guitar is crying out of the darkness.

"The Doubtful Guest" surprisingly reminds me of PRESENT or UNIVERS ZERO the way the piano led soundscape sounds as the vocals join in. So much going on as the vocals continue. What an impressive display. "The Remembered Visit" puts the focus on the vocals as powerful orchestral sounding keys come and go with piano. It sounds like clarinet later. "The Hapless Child" is dark and melancholic as Wyatt sings in an eerie manner. Piano helps out then the guitar cries out along with trumpet. Things pickup around 3 minutes, then it picks up even more as Wyatt sings quickly with the guitar soloing over top. It then settles back with piano only before that full sound returns.

This really comes across as an Avant styled album with two very unique talents in Wyatt and Rypdal possibly giving the best performances of their lives. Still it's not exactly an easy listen, but without question this is one of the most interesting releases i've ever heard.

 More Movies by MANTLER, MICHAEL album cover Studio Album, 1980
3.92 | 5 ratings

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More Movies
Michael Mantler Jazz Rock/Fusion

Review by Mellotron Storm
Prog Reviewer

4 stars This is the companion album to the previous one called "Movies" released 2 years earlier in 1978. In fact I have them both on 1 cd re-issued by ECM Records. Also "Movies" ended with the song "Movie Eight" and this one starts with "Movie Nine". On paper it would seem that "Movies" would be the better album with Tony Williams on drums and Larry Coryell on guitar, but man I think I like this one a little more. Both are great ! Gary Windo is here playing sax so Carla Bley puts here focus on the keyboards and leaves her sax in it's case. She also plays organ which she didn't on "Movies" which certainly gives this a different feel. Mantler continues on trumpet while Philip Catherine is on guitar and D. Sharpe on drums.

"Movie Nine" sounds really good when the sound gets fuller. Some passion here folks. The organ floats in too. It settles back 2 1/2 minutes in then it ends with guitar and organ. "The Sinking Spell" sounds amazing with horns, guitar, drums and piano standing out. "Movie Eleven" is relaxed with horns and piano then the guitar and organ become prominant and the drums kick in. Contrasts continue. Love the heavier guitar led sections. He sounds like Rypdal after 3 minutes. "Will We Meet Tonight ?" is a catchy horn / guitar led piece as the drums pound and the organ floats. "Movie Thirteen" opens with piano only then it builds before 2 minutes. This is great !

"The Doubtful Guest" opens with guitar, drums and a full sound. Horns join in. Some nice bass before a minute as it settles back but not for long. "Movie Fifteen" opens with piano only followed by organ and a full sound before a minute. Nice guitar after 1 1/2 minutes and we get a catchy rhythm as well. Piano only ends it. "Movie Fourteen" opens with piano and drums as the guitar plays over top. Horns before 1 1/2 minutes and they will start to dominate until after 4 1/2 minutes then the guitar returns. Organ ends it. "Movie Ten" is a short piece that's bright and horn led. "Movie Twelve" is horn and drum led early then the trumpet ends up playing over top and the sax helps out. Excellent closer.

Well worth checking out if your into well done JR / Fusion.

 Movies by MANTLER, MICHAEL album cover Studio Album, 1978
3.89 | 9 ratings

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Movies
Michael Mantler Jazz Rock/Fusion

Review by Mellotron Storm
Prog Reviewer

4 stars I first became aware of Michael Mantler's music through Tom Ozric who told me about this album he had called "The Hapless Child And Other Inscrutible Stories". He went on to tell me that Wyatt, Rypdal and DeJohnette were on that record. Well I just about fell over myself trying to find a copy. Unfortunately it is out of print. Well "Movies" might be the best next thing. Tony Williams on drums, Larry Coryell on guitar and Carla Bley on keyboards and sax is nothing to sneeze at. Then add Steve Swallow on bass and Michael Mantler on trumpet and we have a great band.

"Movie One" has such an enjoyable horn / guitar soundscape with light drums. Coryell does start to come to the fore after 1 1/2 minutes. Nice. "Movie Two" has keyboards and cymbals leading the way to start then it kicks in before a minute. Check out the guitar ! Trumpet leads 2 minutes in then the guitar is back as they trade off. "Movie Three" has this relaxed trumpet and sound then the keys and drums come in at 1 1/2 minutes as it gets fuller. It's still relaxed though. The trumpet blasts after 2 1/2 minutes then it settles back again. "Movie Four" is led by drums early then the horns come and go. This is intricate and complex. Guitar 2 minutes in then experimental sounds arrive 3 1/2 minutes in. Great track.

"Movie Five" is led by horns early with some nice prominant bass too. Guitar after 1 1/2 minutes starts to lead then the horns are back out front a minute later to the end. "Movie Six" has the horns blasting with background synths and odd metered drumming. Piano too. Great sound ! "Movie Seven" sees the guitar and drums kicking some ass ! Horns before a minute. Amazing stuff. Intense and intricate guitar lines late. "Movie Eight" has melancholic horns with piano. Drums then guitar after 2 minutes join in. Piano and bass only 3 1/2 minutes in. Horns and piano then lead as the guitar comes in late.

An excellent album from this Austrian and his next record "More Movies" might even be better.

 Silence by MANTLER, MICHAEL album cover Studio Album, 1977
2.35 | 7 ratings

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Silence
Michael Mantler Jazz Rock/Fusion

Review by Evolver
Special Collaborator Crossover & JR/F/Canterbury Teams

2 stars This is one of those occasions where someone's attempt to be hip and arty overwhelms the project they were undertaking. Michael Mantler, and his wife at that time Carla Bley had each attempted to create musical versions of written plays and stories, with various degrees of success.

Here Mantler has created a musical rendition of a Harold Pinter play, that is somewhat difficult to listen to. The music, in the rare times that it gets into any cohesive groove, sounds to me like the Canterbury style of jazz-rock, with a touch of New York avant-garde. The vocal parts often meander around the music without any clear path, making it hard to want to listen to what they are saying. I think I would prefer to just hear the music alone.

The back of the album jacket has the three vocalists inseparate photos, each looking introspective. Kevin Coyne and Robert Wyatt are each posed holding a cigarette to their mouth. It just seems soooo much N.Y. beatnik posturing. But the album conveys that as well.

 Folly Seeing All This by MANTLER, MICHAEL album cover Studio Album, 1993
4.00 | 5 ratings

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Folly Seeing All This
Michael Mantler Jazz Rock/Fusion

Review by Evolver
Special Collaborator Crossover & JR/F/Canterbury Teams

4 stars This is not so much a jazz rock fusion album as it is a chamber piece. But it is highly progressive, and extemely enjoyable.

The primary piece on this album is the title work, Folly Seeing All This. This twenty eight minute composition is mainly played by the Balanescu Quartet. It begins with a sound similar to some of Bartok's chamber pieces, and flows along until Michael Mantler comes in on his trumpet. The strings carry it along, through many passages, until it begins to sound like some of Frank Zappa's string compositions. It's quite compelling.

The second piece, News is just beautiful. Again, it is built upon the Balanescu Quartet's string foundation, but it's Wolfgang Puschnig's flute, and Rick Fenn's guitar that just send the music soaring.

The last piece is good, but not as good as the other two. It has kind of a Steve Reich minimalist vibe, with Jack Bruce and Karen Mantler trading lines of a Samuel Beckett poem.

Progressive, but not prog rock, but still 4 stars.

 Live by MANTLER, MICHAEL album cover Live, 1987
2.10 | 2 ratings

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Live
Michael Mantler Jazz Rock/Fusion

Review by Evolver
Special Collaborator Crossover & JR/F/Canterbury Teams

2 stars I expected this album to be much better than it actually is. Just look at the lineup. Jack Bruce, Rick Fenn, Don Preston, John Greaves and Nick Mason should have made this into a powerhouse of an album. But there are two huge problems. First, the sound quality. By the late nineteen eighties, ECM, a subsidiary of Warner Brothers, was a pretty respectable label. That they released a live recording of one of their artists that sounds like it was taped from the back of the hall is astounding. Yet they did that here. You can hear all of the instruments, but the sound is muddy and hollow.

The second problem is Mantler's meandering compositions. Primarily they seem to be mostly improvised loosely around Jack Bruce's singing of poetry and stories by Samuel Beckett, Harold Pinter and Edward Gorey. It appears that the band doesn't develop any cohesion until more than halfway through the record. It's not until Slow Orchestra Piece #6 that they develop any interesting ideas. However, once they reach that point, the band ignites, and builds to a fiery finish on The Doubtful Guest.

So, a third of the album has good music, the sound quality is, at best fair.

I can only give it two stars.

Thanks to evolver for the artist addition.

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