Rudyard Kipling's 'Mandalay' from 1890 has long served as a poem about the longing for something of the unattainable. Imbued with the desire to escape western civilization, a young soldier pines for a life in the east and for a Burmese girl that has since captured his heart. Through the lens of a contemporary lifestyle that is constructed around a 9-5, mortgage and a pension plan, the desire for escape is perhaps something that many of us can relate to. And it's very much an ideal that forms the basis of Angel of Libra's latest release, 'Road to Mandalay'.
Serving as the German collective's fifth album, Angels of Libra have cultivated a strong reputation amongst contemporary soul music fans who gravitate to their affections for 60s soul and dusty analogue recording techniques.
With their debut release dating back to their first full-length and self-titled album with Nathan Johnston in 2022, the Angel of Libra's horn-heavy, northern soul aesthetic would generate a further four albums in a remarkable four year timeframe.
It's something of a voracious work ethic that has seen the ensemble continually embrace new ideas and new collaborations - while singer-songwriter Johnston has proved to be a staple for the band moving forward, including his appearance on ten of the tracks from 'Road to Mandalay', Angels of Libra have enthusiastically clocked up collaborations with vocalists Maiiah, Jean Cortis, Gosia Jasinska and rapper Joél David.
'Road to Mandalay' marks a sensational addition within the Angels of Libra catalogue and features an incredibly expansive version of the ensemble. With production from Libra guitarist Dennis Rux, original band members including bassist David Nesselhauf, pianist Chris Haertel, drummer Lucas Kochbeck and horn players Kimo Eiserbeck and Hans-Christian Stephan are all prominently featured throughout the album as is the esteemed Björn Wagner who takes time off from The Mighty Mocambos and Bacao Rhythm & Steel Band to lend guitar for several of the album's tracks. With Johnston helming lead vocals for many of the album's tracks, another frequent Libra collaborator in Sarife Afonso appears as she tackles lead for two of the album's numbers including the anthemic single 'Baby When You Hold Me'.
The addition of the string section provides a compelling layer of elegance to many of the album's tracks providing an exquisite orchestral dimension to songs like the album's title track, 'Time Stands Still' and the album's closing number 'This Boy'. Penned by the Lennon & McCartney dream team, the doo-wop-modelled gem makes for an inspired choice of cover and one tackled with complete mastery.
Presenting a fantastic record that demonstrates the band's affections for soul music's golden age, 'Road to Mandalay' have created an exercise in escapism that feels deeply nostalgic and distinctly present at the same time. But like many great adventure stories, sometimes a person can realise that the treasure they sought was with them all along.
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