Search - Michael Manring :: Unusual Weather

Serene and clever

Javier Navas | Milenrama, Madrid | 06/30/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Apart from been the numer one of viruose bassists in New Age style, this guy has the ability of creating nice atmospheres and textures, as you can tell in the first track, the delicious 'Welcoming' which for me remains as a highlight of the style.





Another great song is 'Homecoming', an extremely optimistic tune with a nice leading soprano saxophone. 'Sung to Sleep' is sweet and full of heart, and the haunting, strange and extremely short 'Thunder Tactics part II' adds mystery to the whole thing. Listen to the album and you'll have proven it's worth it. Michael's talent as a bassist and as a composer and arranger as well is beyond limits, and this is which I consider so far his best album. A definately must for any instrumental music lover."

Seemingly Effortless

Marc Ruby? | Warren, MI USA | 04/06/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Michael Manring is one of the most listened to bass players in the U.S. music scene. While many wouldn't recognize his name, almost everyone has heard him. Not only does he have a strong body of his own work, but he has played with an extensive list of musicians, including Michael Hedges, William Ackerman, Montreux, John Gorka, Patty Larkin, Ira Stein & Russel Walder, Carlo Reyes, Darol Anger & Mike Marshall, Philip Aaberg, Holly Near, Opafire, Danny Heines, Trapezoid, Schoenhertz & Scott, Paul Machlis, and Enzo Altazor. He is capable of diverse approaches and had greatly enhanced the role of the bass quitar as a solo instrument.Unusual Weather demonstrates his ability to change tunings and evoke harmonics right from the first track. 'Welcoming' is a typical sound for Manring on this album, a mellow bass sound that runs the gamut from rhythmic percussive sounds to a more edgeless tonality. Above Manring plays Bob read, most often on a sax with a fine, trumpet-like voice. Backing these two up two up is Steve Bloom on percussion, with intermittent performances by Bruce Martin on Marimba and Ken wortman on drums. As a treat, Michael Hedges enters on 'Manthing' the only guitar track on the album.One of the things you will notice on repeated listening is that Manring is as comfortable doing complex background weaves as he is taking the spotlight. He uses the bass to tie together the whole group both instruments and vocals (check out 'Huge Moon). As you move through the tracks you will find that for all the commanality of song, the musicicans bring something new to each track, changing instruments, rhythms and harmonies so that nothing is ever in a rut. Yet there is nothing gimmicky here, just plain musicianship that displays the highest integrity."