In 1997, in the south east of London (or, more precisely, the north east of Surrey), three seventeen year-olds did the unthinkable. Amidst the ruins of Brit pop and the smouldering ashes of grunge, they went to a performing arts college and created... a progressive rock band, firmly routed in the early seventies. Truly, far out!

Mandala was formed by Rhys Marsh, Francis Booth and Will Spurling. Their plan was to create music that represented all things analogue, specifically their love of valves, vinyl and VU metres. They wore flares and large-collared shirts with pride, quickly becoming one of the most talked about bands in the college - making regular appearances in the weekly foyer concerts, TV shows and end of year productions.

After spending nearly all of their lesson time and breaks in the BRIT School Recording Studio, they had gotten a good grip on the 48 channel desk and 24 track tape machine, so they began putting together recordings of their material. The staff and tutors were equally amused and impressed at hearing them experiment with compressors to re-create the classic rock sounds of the late 60s, whilst dancing round the control room with joy. Unfortunately, these recordings never saw the light of day.

In 2005, Mandala re-formed, after pursuing other musical and professional projects. This time, they had a new sound that encompassed violin and cello, which they presented at many concerts across the UK and North America. They recorded and self-released two EPs - one showcasing their ability to rock out, albeit this time with a string section, and the other showcasing their acoustic material. The sound was penned by a journalist from The Guardian newspaper as "Folk Noir." At this time also, Mandala's music was attracting the attention of fans in Scandinavia through MySpace. Sadly, once again, the time was still not ripe for this trio's unique sound to be fully unleashed into the world, and they went their separate ways to pursue other musical projects, Rhys Marsh even moving to Norway to begin a successful musical career there. They remained friends - in fact, in the years between 2006 and 2012, they had grown even closer as friends.

In August 2012, whilst enjoying the best of the English summer time - in a pub garden backing onto the River Thames in Twickenham, which at this time was momentarily flooded (Ed. a sign!) - Rhys, Francis and Will spoke about how they still all loved the old Mandala material and what a shame it was that it had never really been heard. Pretty much on the spot, the decision was made that they should get back together and record all of their best-loved material from both periods of Mandala, so they could then try to finally release their debut album. They had an invitation from Autumnsongs Records and access to Autumnsongs Recording Studio in Trondheim, Norway. All they had to do was get themselves out there!

In the summer of 2014, Will and Francis arrived at Gatwick Airport. They had with them Will's 1970s Rogers drum kit, which contained six drums and a set of cymbals, packed down into four cases, like Russian dolls. Their destination was Trondheim. They landed at Autumnsongs Recording Studio later that night. For ten days they were accommodated in the Autumnsongs building - a solid concrete bunker, with no windows. Good, old-fashioned German engineering. The time of day quickly became irrelevant, as they set up in the studio to record in the truest way they could: live, together in the same room, surrounded by room mics and lava lamps, allowing the instruments to bleed over each others' tracks. They only time they ventured outside was for dinner, which always ended up being a barbecue, on the mountain next to the studio, during the hours of the Midnight Twilight.

From the first playback, they were blown away by the sounds that came through the monitors. They were even tighter as a band than they had been years before. Suddenly, it felt as though the three of them had grown so much as people and musicians that they were able to fully express the songs as they should be heard.

For me [Clint Weiler, I think -ed.], this album is nothing short of remarkable. There must be so many bands that formed during their late teens and, in their thirties, are still dreaming of getting the band back together, but probably dismiss the idea as a pipe-dream through fear. These guys have done it and have proven that, if you stick to it, you will make the masterpiece your life was made to make.

I hear there is talk of a second album being schemed and planned as we speak. Mandala are a band on the move, so I have my suspicions it will be even better than their first album and, most certainly, it'll be matured like a good single malt whiskey!

Tracklist:

1. There's A Wind That Blows [6:44]
2. The Dark Waltz [4:59]
3. Into The Night [3:01]
4. Midnight Twilight [2:26]
5. Sun [4:44]
6. I Have Fallen [4:08]
7. Dreaming [6:55]
8. Ghizou [7:01]
9. Within [4:41]
10. Fire Is Mine [5:52]

Rhys Marsh - voice, guitar, mellotron, sitar, fender rhodes, rebab, pedal steel
Francis Booth - bass guitar
Will Spurling - drums, percussion, tablas

with:
Anna Giddey - violin
Natalie Rozario - cello
Peter Keserue - harmonium

Music by Mandala, lyrics by Rhys Marsh

"There's A Wind That Blows," "Dreaming," "Within," "I Have Fallen," "Sun," & "Ghizou" written in 1997.

"The Dark Waltz," "Into The Night" & "Fire Is Mine" written in 2005

[Source: MVD Entertainment {Clint Weiler}]