Bryan Ferry – Mamouna (Deluxe) (2023) [Official Digital Download 24bit/44,1kHz]

Bryan Ferry – Mamouna (Deluxe) (2023)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/44,1 kHz | Time – 02:06:47 minutes | 1,39 GB | Genre: Pop
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Front Cover | © BMG Rights Management (UK) Limited

Bryan Ferry’s ninth solo studio album ‘Mamouna’ is being reissued for the first time since 1994 and is being released on two deluxe formats. It was Bryan Ferry’s first studio album in seven years to feature original recordings, having worked on the album for six years under the working title of ‘Horoscope’. The previously unreleased alternate recordings to the final ‘Mamouna’ versions are collected for the first time on these deluxe reissues as the ‘Horoscope’ album.

Sufficiently recharged via Taxi, Ferry got down to business and the following year released Mamouna, notable among other things for being his first recordings with the help of Brian Eno since the latter split from Roxy Music back in 1973. Rather than playing the wild card as he so often did, though, Eno concentrates on (to use his own descriptions in the credits) “swoop treatment” and “sonic awareness.” Slightly more to the fore are Ferry’s usual range of excellent musicians and pros. Steve Ferrone once again handles drums as he did on Taxi, while Richard Norris also reappears on loops and programming; other familiar faces include Nile Rodgers, Robin Trower (the album’s co-producer), and Carleen Anderson. One of the most intriguing guest appearances comes at the very start — “Don’t Want to Know” has no less than five guitarists, including none other than Roxy’s own Phil Manzanera. Whereas his ’80s work seemed to fit the times just so, with his own general spin on things providing true individuality as a result, on Mamouna Ferry seems slightly stuck in place. Compared to the variety of Bete Noire, Mamouna almost seems a revamp of Boys and Girls. Combine that with some of Ferry’s least compelling songs in a while, and Mamouna is something of a middling affair, almost too tasteful for its own good (and considering who this is, that’s saying something). There are some songs of note — “The 39 Steps” has a slightly menacing vibe to it, appropriate given the cinematic reference of the title, while the Ferry/Eno collaboration “Wildcat Days” displays some of Eno’s old synth-melting flash. Overall, though, Mamouna is pleasant without being involving. – Ned Raggett

Tracklist:
1-1. Bryan Ferry – Don’t Want to Know (1999 Remaster) (04:07)
1-2. Bryan Ferry – N.Y.C. (1999 Remaster) (04:09)
1-3. Bryan Ferry – Your Painted Smile (1999 Remaster) (03:14)
1-4. Bryan Ferry – Mamouna (1999 Remaster) (05:10)
1-5. Bryan Ferry – The Only Face (1999 Remaster) (04:39)
1-6. Bryan Ferry – The 39 Steps (1999 Remaster) (05:00)
1-7. Bryan Ferry – Which Way to Turn (1999 Remaster) (05:43)
1-8. Bryan Ferry – Gemini Moon (1999 Remaster) (03:46)
1-9. Bryan Ferry – Wildcat Days (1999 Remaster) (04:34)
1-10. Bryan Ferry – Chain Reaction (1999 Remaster) (05:07)
1-11. Bryan Ferry – Where Do We Go From Here (The 39 Steps) (04:07)
1-12. Bryan Ferry – The Only Face (Horoscope Version) (04:56)
1-13. Bryan Ferry – Desdemona (N.Y.C.) (04:24)
1-14. Bryan Ferry – S&M (Midnight Train) (03:37)
1-15. Bryan Ferry – Loop De Li (Horoscope Version) (04:58)
1-16. Bryan Ferry – Gemini Moon (Horoscope Version) (04:26)
1-17. Bryan Ferry – Raga (05:51)
1-18. Bryan Ferry – Mother of Pearl (Horoscope Version) (09:12)
1-19. Bryan Ferry – Mamouna (Instrumental Edit ’89 / ’94) (03:31)
1-20. Bryan Ferry – Your Painted Smile (Instrumental First Draft ’89) (04:33)
1-21. Bryan Ferry – Your Painted Smile (With Guide Vocals) (Later Version ‘89) (04:44)
1-22. Bryan Ferry – Your Painted Smile (Piano and Vocal ’93) (01:49)
1-23. Bryan Ferry – N.Y.C. / Desdemona (Instrumental ’91) (04:03)
1-24. Bryan Ferry – Robot (Instrumental First Draft ’89) (05:54)
1-25. Bryan Ferry – The Only Face (Instrumental First Draft ’89) (04:10)
1-26. Bryan Ferry – The Only Face (Piano and Vocal ’93) (03:46)
1-27. Bryan Ferry – Loop De Li (Instrumental First Draft ’89) (04:45)
1-28. Bryan Ferry – Horoscope (Instrumental ’90) (02:20)

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