Mandalay - "Solace"

Thank You! Thank You! Thank You! The gods must have heard my cry for this CD.

Mandalay, has recorded "one of the most beautiful albums of 2001." Solace comes just when we needed it. Just when we could not take anymore. So tired of music that is geared to teenage girls – and late night clubbing. I wanted something hip and fresh that I could chill to. Read to relate to and meditate to – Mandalay has come to my rescue. The adult album that bridges a gap of what’s missing in music today, for people who are not into Top 40 music.

A friend who left me a message from his car after purchasing the CD turned me on to Mandalay. Blindly, which means never hearing them or knowing any of their previous work. He was only on track two and insisted that I go out and buy this CD as soon as possible, because it was all that!

With an endorsement from the Queen of music herself, Madonna, who raves about Mandalay and hand picked their song "This Life" for her "Next Best Things" soundtrack. I knew this would be a winner.

From the first listen, I was swept away. The voice was so heavenly. It soothed me with a lullaby quality that is pure passion. The music, emotional ethereal, complimenting the voice, never overpowering it. There is something warm and compassionate about this CD. There is also something rare and distinctive about it. Its almost hard to describe but the word that comes to mind is "beautiful." With a mix of classical, jazz, and trip-hop, you have the basic elements for Mandalay, yet the songs offer so much more. It is as if she is singing naked in Alaska. It is chilling, vulnerable, and captivating. Her lyrics are honest and the music is a horizon of breath taking scenery.

Mandalay are Saul Freeman who started musical life in the early nineties as the instrumental half of the Magnificent Thieves and Nicola Hitchcock, a multi-instrumentalist in her own right with a 1993 solo album, "A Bowl of Chalk."

Saul says of their music, we are not selling a life style, we are not selling an image, we are not hanging out with the right people. It is just Nicola and myself and just what happens when we work together. The issue of music. Can I relate to it. Does it teach me. Those are the true things, not trying to pretend you are something you are not.

As profound as those words, Mandalay’s 13 track CD, Solace is an experience of listening pleasure. Every track on this CD is exceptional. A few stand out tracks are "Not Seventeen Like Her, Beautiful," and chill out track "Insensible."

Though Mandalay will never be a mainstream band, which in some ways is a good thing. Though such a beautiful piece of work should not be kept underground. It is meant to be shared with the masses, and appreciated for its brilliance.

This CD gets the "Corey Stone" must add to your collection stamp. And for you dance crazed Queens, this is a two set CD, with one whole CD dedicated to remixes of Mandalay. Check out the trance remix of "Beautiful" by Calderone, and the ambient remix of "This Life" by Cevin Fisher. This CD is worth the $15.99 – but another little bonus – inside information. It is on sale at Tower Records for $9.99 yes $9.99 limited time only. A two set CD of the most powerful chill out music that I have heard all year. So get up – get out – and get yourself a copy now!