Reviews

Over the years, British songwriter/multi-instrumentalist Guy Manning and Parallel or 90 Degrees frontman Andy Tillison have been frequent collaborators. Some time ago, Tillison offered the PO90 compilation, Enjoy Your Own Smell , as a free MP3 download on his website ( www.po90.com ). And now Manning has taken a similar approach.

Available at www.guymanning.com is Press Pack Sampler CD , a compilation of six Manning songs plus a bonus track of an unreleased tune from the Tall Stories For Small Children sessions. He's also made cover art for the sampler available for the listener to download.

Currently without a label after five releases on Cyclops, Manning put the downloads on his website to try to get support in finding a new label. And since he was at it, he thought he'd make them available to his fans as well.

The six regular tracks cover each of Manning's studio releases. They range from the prog epic "The Last Psalm," taken from his debut disc Tall Stories For Small Children , to the acoustic "Owning Up" from 2001's Cascade to "The View From My Window," a song from last year's disc with the same name that features tribal percussion and a world music touch, not to mention Manning's unique vocal style. And the bonus track, "In Swingtime," is an enjoyable number as well. Quite a strong collection of songs that should hopefully land Manning a new record deal.

Since you're logged on to the internet reading this review right now, why not just jump on over to www.guymanning.com to download the tracks. The price sure is right.

 

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