Mani

Farewell to Mani of the Stone Roses, Primal Scream and other outfits. I saw him live a few times with the Primals but also more notably with punk supergroup Mad For The Racket (also featuring Wayne Kramer, Clem Burke and Brian James, all now also deceased). Onstage he always looked like he was having the absolute time of his life; maybe this was stagecraft but his enthusiasm was always infectious.

While on a long journey to Glasgow (of which more later) I took the opportunity to listen to all the albums I have with Mani playing on them: the Stone Roses' first album and Primal Scream's Vanishing Point & XTRMNTR. Fucking hell, the Stone Roses' first album is amazing. I'm not saying anything new here but it seems like one of those records where everything comes together. Mani's playing is incredible but it's such a great group effort where everyone seems to be on top of their game. I must admit though, I did get a bit teary when 'Made of Stone' came on.

Vanishing Point was the Primals' comeback album after the still un-rehabilitated Give Out But Don't Give Up. And you know what? It's OK rather than brilliant. 'Kowalski' is great but I'm not sure it would be so great if the bassline hadn't been lifted from a Funkadelic track and the rest of the album is fine to listen to without ascending any significant heights. XTRMNTR though is a real classic, feeling like Bobby Gillespie has now recruited enough good musicians from other bands that they can spark off each other and produce great music. Mani's bass is all over it but it's a true group effort and one I'll never stop listening to.

I'm now curious about Freebase, the bassist supergroup featuring Mani, Andy Rourke and Peter Hook. I really hope they have a recording of Spinal Tap's 'Big Bottom'.

image:

Mani performing with Primal Scream in 2009 (Wikipedia)