Bonus: Con Te Partiro (Time To Say Goodbye) download
VOYAGE COMP Music/EMI, 2008
The song “Spain (I Can Recall)” was nominated by the Contemporary A cappella Recording Awards 2009 (CARAs) as the Best jazz song and has taken the second place after “A Tisket A Tasket” by Take6.
All male a cappella Vocal Jazz sextet from Kiev Ukraine ManSound was formed in 1994, the brainchild of composer/arranger Vladimir Mikhnovetsky, and they immediately began creating fans. First performing at, and winning, European Jazz festivals, ManSound hit the US by storm, wowing the Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival and winning the coveted Ward Swingle Award. There are 15 tunes here, some favorites (admittedly the ones in English, as we can write their names here) are a hot salsa 'Mas Que Nada,' a scattish 'Crazy Little Thing Called Love,' an unbelievable arrangement of the BeeGee's 'How Deep is Your Love,' 'Spain (I Can Recall),' 'Air on G String,' 'Les Moulins de Mon Coeur' ('The Windmills of Your Mind') and 'Beyond The Sea.' ManSound has a powerful, exuberant sound, with spot-on vocal (and non-vocal) percussion that's scary good. The leads are sweet and soaring, and who cares if the singer knows exactly what he's singing? The arrangements are juicy and surprising, just listen to their fresh, bluesy take on 'How Deep is Your Love.' ManSound is the most exciting new sound in Vocal Jazz right now!
Singers.com
The Contemporary A Cappella Recording Awards 2008 (CARA) had nominated the song “Lullaby” as the best Folk/World Song!
ManSound & Oksana Bilozir
Title: Under the Window
Genre: folk
Track-list:
1. Danube-Danube
2. Ringlet
3. At The Garden
4. Green Oak
5. Under The Window
6. Once In Lviv
7. Lullaby
8. Starlet
9. Grey Cuckoo
10. Flying Daw
All songs arranged by Vladimir Mikhnovetsky (1963-2004).
Solo: Oksana Bilozir and Vladimir Sukhin
Guitar: Oleg Yarema
Recording: Gennady Orel at Didyk studio, Kiev.
Mixing and mastering: Yuriy Lych at Lych studio, Kiev.
Recorded in 2003-2004.
Mixed and released in 2007.
1.
Joy to the World / We Wish You a Merry Christmas download
2.
Jingle Bells / Let it Snow! Let it Snow! Let it Snow! download
2006 Contemporary A cappella Recording Awards (CARAs) nominee in two categories:
Holiday Album: Joy to the World
Religious Song: Amazing Grace
The new CD of Mansound, "Joy to the World", is a real delight. It sounds better and better the more I listen to it. These six singers have developed a bright, happy sound that's a joy to hear. The voices range from low bass to altissimo tenor, employed to great effect in the excellent arrangements of ManSound.
Besides the traditional Christmas renditions, we're treated to some genuine soul music, especially in the amazing Amazing Grace. Another high point for me is the beautiful vocal trumpet solo in Santa Baby.
There is so much to be enjoyed in this CD. Just settle down and have a real treat.
Ward Swingle
I first had the pleasure of hearing Mansound a few years ago in Graz, Austria. They had entered the annual international vocal group competition there and I was one of the judges. These guys came out on stage and just blew everybody away with their powerful sound and impeccable blend. This collection of mostly well-known Christmas songs confirms what I heard then -
this group is World class. I hope the gentlemen of Mansound experience all the opportunities that they deserve.
Medley Of Stevie Wonder’s Songs - Rocket Love - My Cherie Amour - Isn’t She Lovely - If It’s Magic (Featuring Gaitana) download
If It’s Magic, 2004
"This male sextet from the Ukraine displays their significant talents as singers and arrangers of western pop and jazz. The CD is medley-intensive – two of George Benson songs (such as “This Masquerade” and “Stephanie”) and one of Stevie Wonder tunes (“My Cherie Amour, “Isn’t She Lovely” and title tune “If It’s Magic”). Their impeccable intonation shines on these harmonically challenging charts that sit a bit on the jazzy side of the jazz/pop spectrum – most arranged by tenor and music director Vladimir Mikhnovetsky. They close the album with the help of guest female singer Gaitana on the Stevie Wonder charts – GREAT STUFF!" Mainely A Cappella
Tremendous voice control, incredible arrangements, butter-smooth blue-note harmonies, surprising tempo changes and scat breaks‹it adds up to a stunning first CD by a huge, fast-rising talent in the jazz/a cappella world! Primarily A Cappella
"The Ukranian vocalists of ManSound perform jazz, the ultimate American musical form, so very earnestly, beautifully, and musically accurate -- dead-on balls, to be frank -- but with an Eastern European affectation incredibly evident in each soloist's performance. Nevertheless, you will quickly get over it, as I did, and appreciate the diverse arrangements and incredibly complex pieces found on this album.
I love the group's blend and creativity more than I can possibly say, and the individual artists for their soulful, appropriate solos.
The album is a complete 180 from their first release, Slavic Roots, but holds itself to the same incredible level of professionalism and perfection. This sophomore effort only proves their talent reaches beyond their native language and traditional music to extend into this genre.
If It's Magic proves ManSound to be accomplished virtuosos in a wide cross-section of musical forms."
Valerie Kolko (The Recorded A Cappella Review Board)
“Slavic Roots is beautifully phrased, brilliantly arranged, and masterfully self-produced.
... Given a chance, ManSound will do for Ukrainian and Russian music what Take 6 did for American gospel. They are that talented.” Jonathan Minkoff (The Recorded A Cappella Review Board)
“ManSound presents a short but sweet (seven tracks) collection of Ukrainian and Russian folk songs with reasonable technical prowess and passion. Tuning and solos are solid here, but the real star of the show is the fun energy that spills through the speakers. Certain groups sound like they really enjoy what they're doing, and ManSound is one of them.” Jevan Soo (The Recorded A Cappella Review Board)
“From the first note, I was attracted to the utter cleanliness of the sound; between the walking bass and the ensemble's tight backup and vocal patter behind a sweet tenor solo, every note is executed perfectly. Granted, I can't understand a word the lead is singing, but somehow I don't need to. If music is the universal language, then ManSound is truly the Berlitz of a cappella. Pop in the CD and you experience the feelings the songs are meant to evoke. Watch for ManSound as rising stars on the international front. ” Valerie Kolko (The Recorded A Cappella Review Board)
