Customer Reviews

Somewhere in Africa

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

In fact, this is a great recording. What is NOT great is that Amazon lists the wrong tracks. The track listing is for the American version and includes the popular tracks "Runner" and "Rebel." The actual disc I received was the UK version lacking these tracks.

"Somewhere in Afrika" is a fabulous collection of socially conscious songs from art rock band, Manfred Mann's Earth Band. Originally recorded and released in Europe in 1982, the album was re-released 2 years later in 1984 to an international market, where it achieved notable attention.

This is a concept album that addresses themes concerning aparteid, and became a forerunner to many other musical projects that later addressed social concerns and international issues. (Paul Simon's "Graceland"/Peter Gabriel's solo work/Sun City project,to name a few, would shortly follow...)

Manfred Mann have incurred numerous incarnations in their 30+ years in the recording industry. They were among the first bands to grace the original british invasion, when they initially scored with their break through top 10 hit, "Do Wah Diddy Diddy" in 1964. Thirteen years and several albums later, they charted with the top 10 album, "The Roaring Silence" and the cover of Bruce Springsteen's brilliant, "Blinded By The Light," (their only #1 chart hit.)

Interestingly enough, this album is their third greatest chart success, just gracing the top 40 (#40), at a time that there was a revival in british musicians on the music market. The music relies heavily on the synthesized sound, so characteristic of the generic 1980's. Yet, this album is unique in that it includes the presence of african chanting and worldbeat percussion, which differed significantly from what was frequently heard on mainstream radio at the time.

It did have one significant chart hit: "Runner" was the radio ready, undeniable hit single (#22), which included a video clip on MTV/music television, during its infancy. This is a consummate power ballad, that deserved more exposure at the time. I haven't seen this song on any of the many 1980's music compilations out there, but it definitely deserves its place in music history. It's an instrumental mood piece that strangely seems to be a counterpart of the classic instrumental "Chariots Of Fire" from Vangelis. The difference is that "Runner" is graced with a beautiful vocal from Chris Thompson, also known for his vocal delivery with the Alan Parson's Project, whereas the work from Vangelis was an instrumental.

The album also sports several notable covers: a revved up version of the Police's "Demolition Man" is an upbeat start to the album. They also do a noteworthy cover of Bob Marley's "Redemption Song." One of my favorite tracks is the diverse "Afrika Suite" which is a 10 minute long musical piece comprised of several selections that seem to work together incredible well (similar to the construction of musical masterworks from the group "Yes" or "Renaissance" that come to mind at the moment). "Eyes Of Nostradamus" is another stunning highlight.

The CD release from One Way records includes bonus tracks, the extended versions of two tracks that appear on the original album, "Third World Service" and "Redemption Song (No Kwazulu)." It is graced with the original cover art and credits along with an african pictoral insert. There are no lyrics included, which in this instance is acceptable as it provokes a more stimulating and memorable listening experience. This is a first rate album, not to be missed...

In my opinion, I felt the Earth Band really started going downhill after Mick Rogers left the band. The band started to become more commercial, making me miss such albums as Solar Fire. Somewhere in Afrika was originally released in Europe in '82, but the American version, released in 1983 on Arista was the one the featured the hit single "Runner" which is not featured on the earlier version. Why I thought the Earth Band was redeeming themselves on this album is the interesting use of African sounds and rhythms to their sound. It's not unlike Paul Simon's Graceland or Peter Gabriel's So, released some four years later (1986). Also, really surprising, is to still hearing Mann using his Mini Moog on this album, unheard of by everyone else in '82. Given that Manfred Mann was born in South Africa (but residing in England, for obvious reasons), this album is more or less focusing the problems of his country of birth, in this case Apartheid and the injustices inflicted on the blacks by the ruling Apartheid class. I am really certain this album did not endear too well to the government at the time, but I hadn't heard anything about it either, so I'm just speculating. There's a few cover songs here including Bob Marley's "Redemption Song" and Al Stewart's "Nostradamus" (called "Eyes of Nostradamus" on this album). Other highlights here include "Third World Service", the title track, "Tribal Statistics", and "Africa Suite". It was becoming normal to hear pop mixed with African sounds by the mid 1980s, with albums like Graceland or So, but I think Somewhere in Afrika is one of the more interesting pop/African music albums of the 1980s I have heard.

If you are a Manfred Mann's Earth Band fan, this is the ultimate disc to own. The One Way Records edition is totally different from 90% of the other editions currently out there. The cd was first released in europe & had a different song list on it. The One Way Records edition faithfully recreates the U.S. record release. The songs are in a totally different order & the two best songs on the cd are LEFT OFF the european edition (Runner & Rebel). This gives the One Way Record edition a totally different feel from the get go. Mann's rendition of Police cover 'Demolition Man' starts the cd followed by 'Runner' & 'Rebel'. 'Runner' was his tribute to the 1980 olympics. 'Rebel' is one of Mann's best songs & is only availible on THIS version. As if these three songs aren't enough to melt your mind, he follows them with an Al Stewart cover of 'The Eyes of Nostradamus'! Mann then follows with some of the most stunning work he ever did, an African tribal music medley of songs that spanned the entire B side of the album. These songs give you insight into Manfred Mann's homeland & country & his pride in his African heritige. This is one of the VERY FEW albums out there that you can play straight through with absolutely no let down. I love 'Solar Fire', 'Nightingales & Bombers', 'Roaring Silence' & 'The Good Earth' as much as anybody but 'Somewhere In Afrika' is a whole different game! Prepare to be stunned.

I mainly bought this cd for the song "Runner",one of my all time favorite songs.Runner is NOT on the reissued cd from Germany!!!I should have looked closer before ordering.It was on the album(which i still own)so i assumed it was automatically on the cd...

I have listened to album literally hundreds of times and find the song "Nostradamus" to be the most prophetic of all. Especially the verse "Man Man your time is sand. Your ways are leaves upon the sea. This is obviously a reference to Nostadamus' technique of viewing the future by floating tea leaves in a chalice of water. Mann's obscure references make this an album that provokes deep thoughts. Mann is one of this centuries great story tellers. Many songs on this album adress social problems and conflicts and show Mann's concern for the plight of his home country. A must for any Mann collection. Do not miss this one!

THe song Runner would make this a great bargain, even if the other tracks were not there. I highly recommend this to anyone who would like to hear uplifting lyrical music that just makes you feel good.

Much better than the original 1982 recording. The changing times have made it a little dated but the additional and bonus tracks and strong lyrics make it a worthwhile addition to the collections of those of us who remember the days when this album was produced.

This is not the best album by Mandfred Mann, but probably it`s most original and less predictable. Here Earthband used the samples of African ethnic singing and of traditional instruments. And it was years before releasing of the albums by Peter Gabriel and Deep Forest. So Manfred Mann was a kind of Columbus in this area of modern music.
Album is devoted to South Africa`s political problems in the 80s. Now situation there is quite different (and the problems are much more sophisticated and difficult), but epic "The Redemption Song" still impresses me by its mix of ethnic singing, rock energy and Rick Wakemanesque keyboards solo by Manfred Mann. Another hit of album - "Eyes of Nostradamus".
Album contains concept peace of songs and music - "Afrika Suite". Probably you would find something interesting for you in other tracks (read all reviews).
The album got scent of pop music of the 80s - electronic keyboards, loops, but if you like the manner of playing by Manfred Mann - you would like this album - distinctive sound by Manfred Mann`s Earthband is here.

By the way, I`ve got European version of this CD, without "Runner" and "Rebel" (they were included as bonus tracks on remastered CD "Criminal Tango"). Single versions of "Redemption Song" and "Nostradamus" are differ from the album cuts. In single version of "Redemption Song" you would hear Earthband with female lead vocals.

If you like this "somethere in Afrika" version of Earthband - then try next CD "Criminal Tango" (1986) - with polished and dynamic AOR sound.

This is probably my favorite Manfred Mann album and one I highly recommend. Great tracks,outstanding production,solid execution all contribute to a must have recording!