MANDOKI SOULMATES Music Video For New Single Places Bandleader Leslie Mandoki in a Cinematic Dreamscape

MANDOKI SOULMATES’ music video for their new single “I Am Because You Are” places bandleader Leslie Mandoki in a cinematic dreamscape where he’s taking a long, wistful look in the mirror, a melodic rumination and re-examination of life’s twists and turns

I Am Because You Are ,watch below

This is the follow up single to the previous Mandoki Soulmates single release, The Wanderer
https://youtu.be/HjPOEpaoqzo?si=idNXZImEktkX7bRN


both of which are part of a major expansion of the offerings associated with the Soulmates’ groundbreaking new album, A Memory Of Our Future, which now also includes a limited X-mas edition of the album on deluxe audiophile white vinyl

What if music could give us the opportunity to rewrite the future?

Mandoki Soulmates puts this question at the heart of their latest acclaimed album, A Memory Of Our Future, which has attracted worldwide attention as a musical masterpiece, in Europe, and particularly in the USA and UK: Called “A modern-day Jazz Progressive Rock masterpiece” by Goldmine Magazine, and said by Forever Music “the album of the year,” fans and music press alike have hailed the album for carrying the flag for the future of Prog Rock through its timeless and socio-politically relevant musical messages conveyed in a super high-end audiophile format, in what band leader Leslie Mandoki calls, with a sly smile,“a revenge of the analog.”


EPK / Making Of
https://youtu.be/pmws4k6VtEM?si=wn6oo6D6cQWCEImc


After this summer’s simultaneous release of the new album and packed-house European concert successes with the full line-up of this “band of bandleaders” playing the album live, A Memory Of Our Future is receiving accolades for the compositional maturity of its songs, the virtuosity of the performances from Europe’s favorite supergroup of jazz-and prog-rock legends, as well as for the audiophile analog production with a deeply American feel, generating great enthusiasm from Stateside listeners.

On November 29, a strictly limited deluxe X-mas edition of the album A Memory Of Our Future has been released worldwide on White X-mas Vinyl for the highest sound quality. Produced completely in the analog domain, audiophiles have lauded the production quality of A Memory Of Our Future, and coming shortly, the album will also be available on ¼” studio master tape for the ultimate analog audiophile experience.

Courage is calling for people like us! Stay Loud for a future in freedom and peace!

Music has always been humanity's greatest unifier, and now more than ever we need it to unite us.

Together, across generations—for a common future in a better world.”
 


FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT: 

https://shop.sonymusic.de/collections/mandoki-soulmates
https://mandoki-soulmates.com
https://facebook.com/mandoki.soulmates
https://instagram.com/themandokisoulmates
https://youtube.com/@MandokiSoulmates

Mandoki Soulmates release a very clear statement with new single and video “We Stay Loud” from upcoming album A Memory Of Our Future

Mandoki Soulmates – the international and inter-generational supergroup consisting of rock and fusion grandmasters surrounding founder and mastermind Leslie Mandoki – release the 3rd single “We Stay Loud” of upcoming album, A Memory Of Our Future.

Pre-Order A Memory Of Our Future here:
https://mandokisoulmates.lnk.to/AMemoryOfOurFuture-Bio

“We Stay Loud” - is actually the most contemporary statement to say “let’s swim against the current” in this black-tie devil’s masquerade. This is no peaceful resistance, no love-parade.

As Soulmates, we’re always trying to find a musical way to express ourselves, to give a comment to our world, and musically it’s probably the hardest rock song on the album.

It’s a very clear statement, a revenge of analog in a digital world.

Watch the video for “We Stay Loud” below.

Stream “We Stay Loud” on your favorite DSP or pre-order here:
https://mandokisoulmates.lnk.to/AMemoryOfOurFuture-Album

Watch the insights of the album and behind the scenes of the production here:
https://youtu.be/0RnFwaG0I9c

A Memory Of Our Future is now available for pre-order and will be available in the following formats:
 

180g black 2LP wide spined Gatefold & extensive 12-page booklet
Ltd. CD Edition PocketPac with noble matt/gloss finishing, Vinyl-look disc and extensive 24-page booklet
Standard CD Jewel case (US Version)
Digital album
Dolby Atmos Version

Stream and watch the supergroup’s last single and video release, “The Big Quit”.

The single has it all – musically and socio-politically. The Soulmates counter the relentless, literally harsh diagnosis of the lyrics with the poetic power of the music as energetic therapy. A prog rock classic with catchy tune potential that will have you singing along long after the needle has been lifted from the vinyl.

Listen to the single here & watch the video here.

Pre-Order A Memory Of Our Future here:
https://mandokisoulmates.lnk.to/AMemoryOfOurFuture-Bio

After their successful 30 Years Anniversary Tour through Europe, the Soulmates will be performing a special open-air concert in the courtyard of the Munich Residenz on August 15, 2024 and play the new album live.

Buy tickets here:
https://www.muenchenticket.de/tickets/performances/etbn0mu9zw2q/Mandoki-Soulmates 


Mandoki Soulmates are:
Leslie Mandoki
Ian Anderson (Jethro Tull)
Mike Stern
Al di Meola
Randy Brecker
Till Brönner
Bill Evans
John Helliwell (Supertramp)
Cory Henry
Richard Bona
Steve Bailey
Simon Phillips (Toto)
Tony Carey (Rainbow)
Nick van Eede (Cutting Crew)
Jesse Siebenberg (Supertramp)
Mark Hart (Supertramp)

Mandoki Soulmates announce new studio album this May and reveal video and single

Mandoki Soulmates – the international and inter-generational supergroup consisting of rock and fusion grandmasters surrounding founder and mastermind Leslie Mandoki – proudly announce their new album, A Memory Of Our Future, to be released worldwide on May 10th via Sony Music’s label InsideOutMusic.

Pre-Order A Memory Of Our Future here: https://mandokisoulmates.lnk.to/AMemoryOfOurFuture-Bio

The group celebrates the announcement with the release of a new single and video, Blood In The Water. Listen to the single here & watch the video below.

A Memory Of Our Future is Mandoki Soulmates’ latest work of art and nothing short of an instant prog-rock classic, bringing world-class musicianship and composition together with trenchant social and political messaging. The entire album was recorded and produced purely in the analog domain, from microphone to mixing and mastering, making A Memory Of Our Future a manifesto of precision and passion that is hard to find in today's music landscape. Recorded and mixed in Leslie Mandoki’s Red Rock Studios near Munich, mastered in the infamous Sterling Sound Studios in New York and cut in the Emil Berliner Studios in Berlin, the Soulmates are also making a statement as a kind of “revenge of the analog” in times of digital deception, scam bots, and internet trolls. The analog format is also an expression of their special appreciation and bond with the band’s audience, “like a love letter handwritten with a fountain pen."

A Memory Of Our Future is now available for pre-order and will be available in the following formats:

  • 180g black 2LP wide spined Gatefold & extensive 12-page booklet

  • Ltd. CD Edition PocketPac with noble matt/gloss finishing, Vinyl-look disc and extensive 24-page booklet

  • Standard CD Jewel case (US Version)

  • Digital album

Mandoki continues, “The hyper-emotionalization of news in social media delivers outrage instead of information, intentionally triggering waves of
over-excitement and manufactured conflicts. Without fact-checking, where can we find the truth among all the ‘alternative facts,’ lies and AI-generated propaganda? This has yielded a deep crisis of trust that is being exploited by the populists and demagogues of the world.

Despite their seemingly obvious fallacies and contradictions, the people in their bubbles actually believe them. Rational, civil discourse rarely takes place, and without the sensible exchange of ideas we are left with a festering breeding ground for insecurity, hate and division.”

With the 12 new tracks on A Memory Of Our Future, the band hangs a beacon of light at the end of the depressing tunnel of today, and remind us that rock music has always sung for freedom in peace and for peace in freedom.

The album announcement comes with a new single called Blood In The Water, which has it all: a pulsating beat, a catchy hook, and that ineffable prog-rock spirit that appeals to heart and mind simultaneously. The single is an anthem for resilience in the face of a shark tank’s-worth of daunting challenges. It encourages those who dare to resist conformity and courageously to look ahead; it issues a call to be different and join a movement of resistance.

With virtuosic solos from Ian Anderson’s inimitable flute and Cory Henry’s searing Hammond organ, Blood In The Water’s powerful lyrical message is delivered with insistent passion from vocalists Leslie Mandoki, Nick van Eede (Cutting Crew), Tony Carey, and Jesse Siebenberg (Supertramp).

Watch Blood In The Water here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oe6qKO28QEw

The song reflects Mandoki's vision of building bridges among disparate groups using progressive jazz-rock and incisive lyrics to comment on the social challenges of our time, to inspire the aspirational, pointing toward a utopia for realists.

Reflecting with some chagrin, Mandoki states, “The dreams of my generation lie in ruins today. After 1989, we had such a wonderful, historic opportunity to create a mindful, humane, peaceful, and absolutely free world for future generations. But we blew it. Driven by egotism and greed, we have inadvertently enabled the creation of a world where money itself makes profit faster than human labor, no matter the value-added proposition. This devaluation and commodification of people’s work has also led to the disregard for sustainability, both economically and environmentally, yielding a climate of social imbalance, inequity, and unrest. This division and radicalization, as we have unfortunately and painfully learned, has even led to war. And so, I sing that there is ‘blood in the water.’ Far too much blood in the water.”

He adds about the meaning of the black swan on the album cover: “Blood In The Water as a song presents our contemporary situation as a labyrinth of crises in a world without a compass, where unifying and stabilizing movements in society have crumbled. The dreaded ‘black swan’ has landed. It sits on our album cover as a symbol of our times, in which reality outstrips our worst fears with previously unimaginable tragic scenarios. We must stay vigilant, as we sing: you better keep an eye open, if you fall asleep...”


Mandoki Soulmates are:

Leslie Mandoki
Ian Anderson (Jethro Tull)
Mike Stern
Al di Meola
Randy Brecker
Till Brönner
Bill Evans
John Helliwell (Supertramp)
Cory Henry
Richard Bona
Steve Bailey
Simon Phillips (Toto)
Tony Carey (Rainbow)
Nick van Eede (Cutting Crew)
Jesse Siebenberg (Supertramp)
Mark Hart (Supertramp)

 

Mandoki Soulmates online:

Website: https://mandoki-soulmates.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mandoki.soulmates
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themandokisoulmates
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MandokiSoulmates
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/intl-de/artist/7fl0Hsad90Ni5g3zVYzg6m
Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/artists/B07S2KV19B/mandoki-soulmates
Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/de/artist/mandoki-soulmates/1526677421

YouTube Music: https://music.youtube.com/channel/UCS6fldWIZXVQJA_AhfGNZ_g

Deezer: https://www.deezer.com/de/artist/65835822?app_id=140685
Tidal: https://tidal.com/browse/artist/15805305

Ring in the New Year with your SOULMATES! MANDOKI SOULMATES is hosting a live stream on YouTube, January 15, 2022

Ring in the New Year with your SOULMATES!
MANDOKI SOULMATES is hosting a live stream on YouTube, January 15, 2022.
Hang with the band for their global Zoom meet-up, then watch the premiere of
a magnificent new concert film from the SOULMATES for free.

To thank our dedicated followers in the prog-rock and jazz-rock communities for their support in these days of cancelled concerts and shuttered venues, we MANDOKI SOULMATES are reaching out with a live global streaming event on January 15, 2022 (3pm NYC time; 21:00 Berlin time). Our music-loving supporters have continued to inspire our creativity through these uncertain times for musicians and for the world, and we want to express our gratitude by hosting this event with band members in a live Zoom hang-out, followed by streaming a never-before-seen sumptuous concert film from our electrifying open-air Budapest performance in August 2021.

Join us for the Zoom meet-up and video premiere on YouTube: https://youtu.be/DOWVpz0CwtE(times noted above).

During the band meet-up, we’ll update everyone on what we’ve been doing musically and personally in these trying times, and preview exciting new and upcoming releases from band members, such as the new Jethro Tull album from Ian Anderson. In the first days of real pandemic lockdown in 2020, Ian, Leslie, and members of the SOULMATES created a song for charity celebrating front-line workers, “We Say, Thank You” https://youtu.be/l0Y6XFZw7Hk.

In the upcoming streaming event, the two-and-a-half hour concert video premiere includes the brilliant prog-rock suite “Hungarian Pictures,” and while the concert was attended by 30,000 people, this high-end concert film brings you into the music and performances in ways that are only possible in this audio-visual medium. You won’t want to miss it—it’s free and not available anywhere else—our way of saying a special thank you to our amazing audience.

The MANDOKI SOULMATES, once described by the late Soulmate Greg Lake (Emerson, Lake & Palmer) as “one of the best bands in the world,” are the “Super-Group” musicians surrounding singer, drummer, and songwriter Leslie Mandoki, who has worked as a producer for Disney masterpieces and with greats like Lionel Ritchie, Phil Collins, and Chaka Khan, among many others.

In addition to Leslie, the MANDOKI SOULMATES include: Ian Anderson (Jethro Tull), John Helliwell (Supertramp), Chris Thompson (Manfred Mann’s EB), Bobby Kimball (Toto), Nick van Eede (Cutting Crew), Al Di Meola, Jesse Siebenberg (Supertramp), Cory Henry, Mike Stern, Randy Brecker, Bill Evans, Tony Carey, Richard Bona, Julia Mandoki, Peter Maffay, Till Brönner, David Clayton Thomas (Blood Sweat & Tears), and Klaus Doldinger.

Playing together in the MANDOKI SOULMATES band, these luminaries have been writing and producing new original music for 30 years. Founding band members include Ian Anderson of Jethro Tull, Jack Bruce of Cream, and Al Di Meola; collectively they have earned 35 Grammys and sold over 350 million records.

The band’s latest album, “Utopia For Realists,” defines itself as sophisticated and mature new music that combines the intellectual and artistic essence of British prog rock with the virtuosic brilliance of New York's jazz-rock and fusion scene.
But let's hear what some American music journalists are saying:

Raymond Shasho:
“The new Mandoki Soulmates album Utopia for Realists is a modern-day musical masterpiece. A magnificent production of masterful compositions.
The instrumentation is bold and surreal with strong implications of European and perhaps Arabic musical flair. ‘Return to Budapest’ is a 15:27 breathtaking and uplifting song that travels in many musical genre directions. The song's beginnings feature legendary voices: Ian Anderson (Jethro Tull) and David Clayton-Thomas (Blood, Sweat & Tears). Although the instrumentation is intricate, the message is straightforward... ‘LET THE MUSIC SHOW YOU THE WAY!’ The tracks ‘Return to Budapest’ and ‘The Torch’ could easily be Top 40 hits! ‘The Torch,’ also released as a single, is a beautiful composition about placing our hopes for the future on our young ... ‘be brave, be strong, be hungry - pass on THE TORCH!’
(https://youtu.be/RE2Un-9h5XA)
… all are gorgeous songs written with perfection…
Five Stars for Utopia for Realists by The Mandoki Soulmates...
A brilliantly orchestrated musical performance with a perception of perseverance, tenacity and a greater good for all mankind.”

Nick Tate:
“He’s one of the most accomplished artists you’ve probably never heard of, he’s collaborated with everybody who’s anybody in British prog circles, American jazz-fusion legends, and even world-beat luminaries. Cream’s Jack Bruce compared him to Duke Ellington. Al Di Meola calls him the ‘Hungarian Quincy Jones.’ Greg Lake deemed his band ‘probably the best in the world.’ Ian Anderson says he’s the ‘master chef in the kitchen, mixing all of these exotic spices and mystical musical influences.’
Leslie Mandoki has worked with a ‘Who's Who’ of British prog and American jazz-fusion legends. If you’ve ever wondered what it might sound like with Al Di Meola guesting with Yes, Ian Anderson fronting Return to Forever, or King Crimson scoring Igor Stravinsky for rock orchestra, Mandoki Soulmates music just might be your cup of prog tea.”

Mistress Carrie:
“Leslie Mandoki is a perfect example of what is possible in life! He is doing what he was born to do, and loving every minute of it. We could all use a little bit more of that in this world. Check out the Mandoki Soulmates, and Utopia for Realists, you'll be glad you did!”

Listen to the new visual album here:
https://mandokisoulmates.lnk.to/UtopiaForRealists-HungarianPictures

During the Covid-related lockdown in March 2021, the MANDOKI SOULMATES decided it was time to give back to their audience and joined together for their first, highly successful online concert from around the world to celebrate music as the greatest unifier against division. The result, titled “Music Is The Greatest Unifier!” premiered on YouTube on March 26, 2021 and has since been seen by more than five million people through broadcasts on ARD, Germany's largest television network, and various other third party broadcasters including BR, WDR, hr, and SWR.
You can watch it here:
https://youtu.be/gDDpdhuC4Rg

What could be more appropriate than to unite through music in these uncertain times, to stick together, and to repeat the success of “Music Is The Greatest Unifier?”

Looking forward to seeing you all!
Let us bridge the gap around the world!

MANDOKI SOULMATES online
https://utopiaforrealists.mandoki-soulmates.com
https://www.youtube.com/MandokiSoulmates
https://www.facebook.com/mandoki.soulmates
https://www.instagram.com/themandokisoulmates/

Mandoki Soulmates release ‘Utopia For Realists: Hungarian Pictures’; launch video for ‘The Torch’

Leslie Mandoki comments: “It is about generational justice. We will only master the global challenges - pandemic, financial and economic crisis, migration and integration, climate change - if we overcome the divisions across all borders, the old rebels and the young rebels together.”

At the end of August, thousands of enthusiastic fans celebrated the stage return of the Mandoki Soulmates in front of St. Stephen's Basilica in the heart of Budapest, where they performed ‘Utopia For Realists: Hungarian Pictures’ in full, ahead of its release in September. After the pandemic break, this was the legendary band's first performance since their show at the Berlin Concert Hall to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall.

Get a taste of this incredible evening here: https://youtu.be/upwS8kAkxd8

Alongside the original remixed and remastered music, a brand new Blu-ray audio-visual album is part of the package, combining the recording of the concert film of the 30th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall with an impressive cinematic realization of the individual musical episodes. It also provides exclusive insights behind the scenes of the Soulmates production live and in the studio, a "making of". The album is also available as a standalone Gatefold 2LP+CD+LP-Booklet, and a standard CD jewelcase.

Order now here: https://mandokisoulmates.lnk.to/UtopiaForRealists-HungarianPictures

Watch the recently released video for the track ‘Sessions in the Village’ here: https://youtu.be/KpKwF611WmM

Watch the video for ‘Barbaro’ here: https://youtu.be/xPHHIHbgEEs

On ‘Utopia For Realists: Hungarian Pictures’, Leslie Mandoki plays together with Ian Anderson (Jethro Tull), Jack Bruce (Cream), Nick van Eede (Cutting Crew), Chris Thompson (Manfred Mann’s Earth Band), Bobby Kimball (Toto), David Clayton-Thomas (Blood, Sweat and Tears),
John Helliwell (Supertramp), Al di Meola, Mike Stern, Randy Brecker, Till Brönner, Bill Evans, Cory Henry, Richard Bona, Tony Carey (Ritchie Blackmores Rainbow), Jesse Siebenberg (Supertramp), Steve Bailey, and Julia Mandoki

Mandoki Soulmates staged a global live stream event earlier this year which has achieved over half a million plays on Youtube and over 700.000 on Germany's leading TV channel ARD since its release.

Watch it in full here: https://youtu.be/gDDpdhuC4Rg

MANDOKI SOULMATES Online:
www.mandoki-soulmates.com/
https://utopiaforrealists.mandoki-soulmates.com
www.facebook.com/mandoki.soulmates www.instagram.com/themandokisoulmates/ www.youtube.com/channel/UCNfanei2WBdqOS_73uua4Xw

INSIDEOUTMUSIC Online:
www.insideoutmusic.com
www.facebook.com/insideoutmusic
www.twitter.com/insideouteu
www.youtube.com/user/InsideOutMusicTV
www.instagram.com/insideoutmusic/

MANDOKI SOULMATES CELEBRATE MUSIC + MEMBERS RECEIVE GRAMMY NOMINATIONS THIS THANKSGIVING

Thanksgiving 2021 was certainly a time of celebration for Mandoki Soulmates. Case in point, two of the band members received Grammy nominations - Cory Henry for Album Of The Year and Best Progressive R&B Album and Randy Brecker for Best Contemporary Instrumental Album.

In addition to the band recently releasing a video for the song “The Torch” (off their critically acclaimed album, ‘Utopia For Realists: Hungarian Pictures,’ which can be viewed/heard here: https://mandokisoulmates.lnk.to/TheTorch-2021Version), Mandoki Soulmates leader Leslie Mandoki celebrated Thanksgiving this year in New York.

Leslie: “For the traditional Soulmates-Thanksgiving, this time my dear Soulmate, Al di Meola, one of the founding members of the MANDOKI SOULMATES about 30 years ago, invited us to his home in New York, and as always, we played each other’s latest music together. Beside one of the best turkey dinners, we’re celebrating the love of life, music, and three decades of friendship, mutual music and values with Soulmates. Thanksgiving is the right occasion to give thanks for the privileged life of a musician that we can live thanks to the audience that inspires our creativity. It was truly another Soulmates ‘family reunion’ again.”

“We first celebrated with our soulmates at Al's house about 30 years ago, and had another wonderful Soulmates gathering here 15 years ago with my three children. Bringing wonderful changes, Stephanie then gave the house a whole new soul, and it was so beautifully decorated for Thanksgiving. The love, music, and more than 30 years of friendship were in the air and could literally be felt!”

“Yesterday was also time to congratulate our soulmates Cory and Randy on their very well-deserved recent Grammy nominations. When we celebrate family gatherings together with our children today or even at the end of the year, we should realize that they are the future. I am a father of three children, and we should ask ourselves in what condition we hand over our world to the children, the Young Rebels? We can only overcome the divisions in our society together with the Old Rebels and the Young Rebels. So let's wish them strength, courage and the hunger to strive for the right solutions, and let's help them while there's still time to turn the wind and pass the torch.”