ManSound, an a cappella sextet from Kiev, Ukraine, got its start in 1994 as an idea of composer and arranger Vladimir Mikhnovetsky. The group consists of experienced professionals and it is a permanent participant of international jazz festivals and concerts. First building a Russian fan base with concerts and appearances at jazz festivals in Moscow and other cities, ManSound began touring in 1996, when the group traveled to the United States for six weeks, performing with great success in universities and evangelical churches. In February of 2000, ManSound performed at one of the biggest jazz events in the USA, the Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival, following the invitation of Lionel Hampton himself. They also performed in 2002 and 2003, delighting crowds of 5000 at the nightly performances. Dr. Lynn Skinner, director of The Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival, called ManSound the hit of the jazz event. "Magic" has only 7 songs, but 3 are marvelous medleys, two of them of George Benson's songs and one of Stevie Wonder tunes. Besides these favorites, "They Can't Take That Away From Me," "Nature Boy," "Lullaby of Birdland and "Angel Eyes" are standouts-which includes everything on the CD. 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!

Songlist: Smile Medley:, - Smile, Darn Ya, Smile, - Powder Your Face With Sunshine, Have A Little Talk With Myself, If I Had My Way, Moondance, Shenandoah, When My Sugar Walk Down the Street, Where Is Love?, Shadrack, Fare Thee Well, Love, Honey Medley:, - My Honey's Lovin Arms, - Honey That I Love So Well, You Tell Me Your Dream, Sing, Sing, Sing, Hushabye

Mansound : Joy To The World   

ManSound, of course, is the dynamic Vocal Jazz all-male sextet from the Ukraine who have been wowing international Jazz Festival crowds, winning awards and earning critical raves from yours truly. That understood, "Joy to the World" is ManSound's Christmas Album, and it's fabulous. Now, right here you could read about our favorites among the 11 songs, like "Joy to the World/We Wish You a Merry Christmas" medley, "Jingle Bells/Let It Snow!" medley, the lovely "Carol of the Bells (in Russian)," "Heaven and Earth" (also in Russian), MS's incredible jazzy, bluesy take on "Amazing Grace," "Walkin' in a Winter Wonderland," etc., or you could just listen to crazed, finger-popping cut #3, "Santa Baby," cute Russian accent, faux cornet solo and all. You'll realize at that point that "Joy to the World" is one of the least boring, most fun Christmas albums you've ever heard, buy it and enjoy the heck out of your holiday season. My work is done here!

Songlist: Joy To The World, We Wish You A Merry Christmas, Jingle Bells, Let it Snow! Let it Snow! Let it Snow!, Santa Baby, Carol of the Bells, Heaven and Earth, Amazing Grace, White Christmas, Walkin' in a Winter Wonderland, Silent Night, The Message, People Need the Lord, Great Is Thy Faithfulness

ManSound : Slavic Roots   

Formed five years ago in Kiev, the six men who make up the Ukrainian group Man Sound have recorded three compact discs and toured extensively in Europe. In their early years, the group gave dozens of gospel concerts in six western U.S. states. Most recently they were invited to the U of Idaho Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival by Hampton himself. The group's repertoire includes famous jazz compositions and Ukraine folk songs as well as traditional and modern gospel music. "Slavic Roots" are Ukrainian folk songs, all a cappella except for some light guitar on "Under the Cloud." Included are two medleys, "Triptych" and "Diptych," "Polechko-Pole," "Under the Cloud," "Hey, Let's Hoot," "There You, Wide Steppe" and "White Swallow." The group's powerful, fine-tuned ensemble sound derives from their individual talents as soloists. Adding scat jazz riffs to a "Volga Boatmen" base is the kind of fresh vocal surprise Man Sound is becoming well known for. Excellent and recommended!

Songlist: Triptych, Polechko-Pole, Under the Cloud, Hey, Let's Hoot, There You, Wide Steppe, Qiptych, White Swallow

Mansound : Voyage   

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!

Songlist: Mas Que Nada, Crazy Little Thing Called Love, How Deep Is Your Love, Spain (I Can Recall), Air On G String, Les Moulins De Mon Coeur, Beyond The Sea, Yiddishe Mamme, Tetri Rashi, Amore No