snobb
Manfred Mann is well known by his great keyboard based progressive rock from seventies. But not everyone knows that he was a pop musician and then jazz- rock musician before that. Manfred Mann Chapter III is first step made by Manfred towards progressive music. Using some musicians from his previous pop band, MM recorded debut album of new project towards jazzy direction. It was 1969, and only a few bands all around tried to add some jazz elements in their rock sound. MM was one between a few very beginners!
The album contains r'n'b and blues rock based songs, but with some brass and some jazzy arrangements. Manfred's regular collaborator (on his later projects)Mike Hugg is there on vocals yet (and playing second keyboards as well).MM demonstrates his excellent ability to write melodic songs, band plays them nice with freshness and enthusiasm.
It is important to note, that this work should be placed beside Chicago Transit Authority and Blood Sweat and Tears debut albums as proto jazz-rock cornerstones. Differently from both other American bands, mentioned above, UK-based MMCIII never received such popularity.
Album's sound is still heavily rooted in blues-rock , being mostly similar to BST debut album. Music here has lot of jazzy elements, but bigger accent was made not on jazzy techniques and mastership, but more on some unusual brass arrangements used in classic rock compositions. Recording sound is clear, you can really enjoy all instruments' sounds when listening.
The same line-up will record one more album in similar key (and of similar level), then will turn to series of classic progressive rock albums. This album is really attractive listening for everyone interested in jazz-rock roots, and in late 60-s rock music in general.