Roger Manning - Solid State Warrior (Jellyfish)

Japanese only and what can one say? "Roger Joseph Manning, Jr." solo album. Says it all. Manning`s first solo album for Jellyfish fanatics will not disappoint. Effortlessly straddling such disparate genres as Funk, Prog, vaudeville, Psychedelia, and Brill Building Pop, Solid State Warrior resounds with the sound of a prodigious artist enjoying the delights of his own musical playground, an artist comfortable in his own musical skin, unyielding to artistic compromise. This 11 song piece of true musical art, in the most literal sense of the word, contains beautiful original artwork by Japanese artist ADAPTER for both the wrap around and booklet, which of course contains lyrics(in English and Japanese) and album credits. This is an *event*, a cause for celebration with Handel`s "Hallelujah" chorus raining down from the heavens. In fact, let`s trot out the definition of `hallelujah` for clarification of "Solid State Warrior", shall we? "An exclamation used chiefly in songs of praise or thanksgiving to God, and as an expression of gratitude or adoration." Perfect.

Sounding like the "lost" Jellyfish album, the record is produced by Manning and features the artist playing all the instruments on this tour-de-force. Solid State Warrior is a dazzler, a stylish, and intricately orchestrated slab of transcendent Pop, imbued by Manning`s keen artistic vision, sublime songwriting chops and blazing instrumental virtuosity. Opening with the hazy psychedelia of "The Land Of Pure Imagination" (a ringer for inclusion on the Charlie & The Chocolate Factory soundtrack), the record unfolds like a towering musical tree of riches, each branch displaying a newfound exploration of sonic wizardry and clever songcraft. Manning bats .1000 on the record, each track rewarding the listener with each successive listen.

"Solid State Warroir: you`ve got 11 pieces of pure pop grandeur. Hoo baby, is this sweet. Sturmer and Manning were two of the best pop voices since, well, you know who. On Solid State Warrior, Manning did it all himself in his basement studio, with John Paterno mixing and mastering. "The Land of Pure Imagination" opens, a psych pop epic with sweet melodies, Moog textures and distinctive Manning touches. "Too Late For Us Now" scales things back (if there`s such an approach for Manning), bopping along to piano and feeling like a long-lost Bellybutton track. And it`s got a banjo! On "I Wish It Would Rain," a 50s-style groove that`d wilt in the hands of a lesser musician sparkles. Three songs into the CD the vocal harmonies become more prominent, and it`s pure pop bliss. But it`s on "Sandman" that we really get that eyelid-fluttering dose of the good stuff, a vox deus behind Jellyfish`s similar "Hush." Over a palette of ethereal strings and harpsichords, Manning sings an ageless lullaby.."Dragonfly" is almost lounge-inflected, mellow with harps and synths. "Creeple People" is a chugging Imperial Drag-style groove, and it`s currently number one on the Weed sales chart. "Sleep Children" bookends with "Sandman" beautifully as Manning`s cirrus pseudo-strings carry us all away. And "Til We Meet Again" is the right note of optimism to wrap things up, a fond farewell after a near-perfect pop vacation."-HighBias.com.

On a record overflowing with towering melodic riches, for starters, tune into the propulsive Wurlitzer piano / Supertramp powered stylings of "You Were Right," the exquisite pure Pop of "What You Don`t Know About The Girl," the lush vocal melange that characterizes "Sandman," the Dirty Funk grooves that propel "Creeple People" and the elegiac closer, "`Til We Meet Again." "The term `genre-hopping` which has been used to describe Jellyfish and Beck is apt," observes Manning. "It`s always been very natural for me to evoke all different emotions and styles in my songs. I love the Pop roller coaster ride that I get to take the listener on. The album becomes a whole experience. If the experience is good you don`t want it to end. When I sit down to write music that I want to write the most immediate access to my soul is kind of in that `60s, `70s Pop expression." Simply, Pure Pop Perfection.

Click Here To Check Out Releases From Imperial Drag, Umajets and Sextus!

Too Late For Us Now - mp3

Creeple People - mp3

The Land Of Pure Imagination - mp3

The Loser - mp3

Wish It Would Rain - mp3

Sandman - mp3

The Land Of Pure Imagination - wma

Too Late For Us Now - wma

Wish It Would Rain - wma

The Loser - wma

Sandman - wma

What You Dont Know About The Girl - wma

Dragonfly - wma

Creeple People - wma

Sleep Children - wma

You Were Right - wma

Till We Meet Again - wma

Click Here To Check Out Releases From Imperial Drag, Umajets and Sextus!