Manna / Mirage, by The Muffins

Manna / Mirage

by The Muffins

supported by

PDD Simply wonderful. It's amazing how music this complex could be so accessible and contain more than a few hooks. Favorite track: Amelia Earhart.

The Sonic Archives Recording Co. thumbnail

more...

	/

Streaming + Download

Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.

Purchasable with gift card

$10 USD or more

	1.	Monkey With the Golden Eyes 04:02
	2.	Hobart Got Burned 05:59
	3.	Amelia Earhart 15:47
	4.	The Adventures of Captain Boomerang (for Mike Forrester) 22:48

about

"The finest progressive band that America produced." – Fred Frith

The Muffins were a D.C. area band from 1974-81 and then again from 1996-2014. Manna/Mirage was their 1st and best known lp. A SUPERB and sublime instrumental mix of Canterbury progressive, jazz-rock, improvisational elements, and much more, all showcasing a distinctive sound and unique touch.

"...America's most impressive & innovative Cow/Hatfield style group...The Muffins are the quintessential example of a group whose excellence, clear musical intelligence, light touch & broad range marked them out clearly for success and a place in the history of 'progressive rock'. They won't thank me for saying this, but The Muffins deserve their place in the pantheon of 70's progressive GREATS." – Chris Cutler.

"Manna/Mirage was the Muffins' first album and remained their best work. It is a fantastic blend of Canterbury prog and Henry Cow-ish intricacy, with a soupçon of improvisation. Completely instrumental, the music can also be linked to Happy the Man for its melodic side. Manna/Mirage would have become a classic prog album, if only it had come out of Canterbury instead of late-'70s U.S.A." – AllMusic

"...a very charming and adventurous release that should easily appeal to fans of Henry Cow, Soft Machine or Hatfield and the North. Musically complex with a good flow to it with well-thought arrangements that are interesting to listen to all the way through with a nice, typical humoristic touch to them." – Prog Archives

credits

released December 1, 1990

Billy Swann — bass, piano, guitar, percussion
Paul Sears — drums, gong, xylophone, vibes, percussion, pots, pans, pennywhistle
Tom Scott — piccolo flute, flutes, alto & soprano & baritone saxophones, clarinet, alto clarinet, oboe, soprano recorder, percussion
Dave Newhouse — pianos, organ, piccolo flute, alto & soprano saxophones, bass clarinet, cereal box whistle, percussion
with
John Schmidt — baritone horn & tuba (1)
Doug Elliot — trombone (1)
Larry Elliot — trumpet (1)
Steve Feigenbaum — guitar (3, 4)
Greg Yaskovich — trumpet (4)

Engineered by Colleen and Tom Scott.
Mixed by The Muffins.
Recorded and mixed in 1978.

license

about

Cuneiform Records Washington, D.C.

Cuneiform Records is an independent record label releasing adventurous, boundary-bursting music by artists from around the world.

Founded in 1984.
Based in Washington D.C.

Recommendations

contact / help

Contact Cuneiform Records

Streaming and
Download help

Shipping and returns

Redeem code

Report this album or account

Cuneiform Records recommends:

The Gift of Purpose [Hopper Family Benefit Album]
by Bone (Nick Didkovsky / Hugh Hopper / John Roulat)

The BENEFIT ALBUM for Hugh Hopper's family is now on Bandcamp! Cuneiform Records
go to album

If you like Manna / Mirage, you may also like:

Abracadabra In Osaka (Elton Dean, Allan Holdsworth, Hugh Hopper, John Marshall)
by Soft Works

supported by 54 fans who also own “Manna / Mirage”

The combination of Elton and Allan on this is absolutely incredible! Hugh Hopper and John Marshall fill it out BEAUTIFULLY! Jonathan Pryor
go to album
Hidden Details (HD)
by Soft Machine

supported by 53 fans who also own “Manna / Mirage”

I love Soft Machine and everything these players stand for. New track off of Hidden Details is amazing. Long live Soft Machine. gearmanx
go to album
Live at the Baked Potato
by Soft Machine

supported by 48 fans who also own “Manna / Mirage”

The legendary Soft Machine are firing on all cylinders here and this is a real musical treat and a superb offering from top to bottom. fgmoods
go to album
Furvent
by Le Grand Sbam

Progressive music ensemble The Grand Sbam's bombastic compositions defy tempo, genre, and description. Bandcamp New & Notable Dec 17, 2020
go to album
Death Sequence
by The Physics House Band

On their new EP, the British quartet channel their experimental rock chops into ambitious suites that flow effortlessly. Bandcamp Album of the Day May 6, 2019
go to album