Man Doki Soulmates

The Mandoki Soulmates are a supergroup founded in Germany by Hungarian musician and producer Leslie Mandoki. The project features international musicians performing primarily progressive rock and jazz-rock fusion. Since 1992, the Mandoki Soulmates have released 12 studio albums and several live recordings. They have performed in New York, Shanghai, São Paulo, Miami, London and Paris. The group's lineup has included musicians who have collectively won 35 Grammy Awards and sold over 350 million records. Numerous musicians have performed with the Mandoki Soulmates, including Chris Thompson (Manfred Mann's Earth Band), John Helliwell (Supertramp), Nick Van Eede (Cutting Crew), Greg Lake (Emerson, Lake & Palmer), Tony Carey (Rainbow), Richard Bona, Cory Henry, Steve Lukather (Toto) and Chaka Khan. German musicians Peter Maffay, Klaus Doldinger and Till Brönner have also played and recorded with the Soulmates. A complete listing is below. Following advice from his father — "Live your dream and don't dream your life!" — in 1992 Mandoki formed the band "People" (later called Mandoki Soulmates). Musicians collaborated on a joint album, "Out of Key… With the Time." The band's founding members included Ian Anderson, Jack Bruce, Al Di Meola, David Clayton-Thomas (Blood, Sweat & Tears), Bobby Kimball (Toto), Mike Stern, Anthony Jackson, Bill Evans, Randy Brecker and Michael Brecker. They received the "Goldene Europa" German television award in 1993 for their debut song "Mother Europe." Subsequently, the band played their first concert at the second annual Sziget/EuroWoodstock Festival in 1994, held in Budapest before an audience of 40,000. Numerous musicians have collaborated with the Soulmates on recordings and performances throughout their history. A complete list of collaborators from 1992 to the present is provided below. Leslie Mandoki – vocals, drums, percussion Laszlo Bencker – keyboardist, grand piano, Hammond organ Chaka Khan – vocals Ian Anderson – vocals, flute Jack Bruce – vocals, bass Bobby Kimball – vocals David Clayton-Thomas – vocals Chris Thompson – vocals Peter Maffay – guitar, vocals Steve Lukather – guitar, vocals Eric Burdon – vocals Nik Kershaw – guitar, vocals Nick Van Eede – guitar, vocals Al Di Meola – guitar Till Brönner – trumpet Mike Stern – guitar Steve Khan – guitar Randy Brecker – trumpet, flugelhorn Michael Brecker – tenor saxophone Bill Evans – tenor, soprano saxophone John Helliwell – tenor, alto saxophone, clarinet Victor Bailey – bass Anthony Jackson – bass Pino Palladino – bass Greg Lake – guitar, vocals Mick Hucknall – vocals Roger Hodgson – guitar, piano, vocals Udo Lindenberg – vocals Lou Gramm – vocals Jimi Jamison – vocals Midge Ure – guitar, vocals Robin Gibb – vocals Paul Carrack – vocals Peter Frampton – guitar, vocals David Garrett – violin Manfred Mann – keyboards Jon Lord – Hammond organ, piano Jesse Siebenberg – lap steel guitar, vocals Steve Bailey – bass, vocals Richard Bona – bass, vocals Albums 1992: Out of the Key...With the Time 1997: People in Room No.8 1997: People in Room No.8 - The Jazz Cuts 1993: People 1998: So Far' 2002: Soulmates 2003: Soulmates Classics 2003: Soulmates Jazz Cuts 2004: Soulmates Legends of Rock 2009: Aquarelle 2010: Thank You 2013: BudaBest 2019: Living in the Gap 2019: Hungarian Pictures 2021: Utopia for Realists 2024: A Memory of Our Future Mandoki Soulmates, led by Leslie Mandoki, performed their first live show in the U.S. during Grammy Week 2018. The concert, titled "Wings of Freedom," took place at the Beacon Theater on January 29, 2018, and served as a benefit concert for MusiCares foundation. The collaboration with MusiCares aligned with the group's mission to support musicians in need. Mandoki has stated that he encourages his musical collaborators to express themselves in the studio and on stage. Jack Bruce compared Mandoki to Duke Ellington for his ability to foresee each musician's role when composing for the Soulmates. Mike Stern emphasized Mandoki's focus on creative freedom. Al Di Meola called him a "Hungarian Quincy Jones" and described him as the guiding force. Ian Anderson characterized Mandoki as a key contributor to the ensemble's collaboration. Nick Van Eede, founder of Cutting Crew, has also commented on Mandoki's ability to work with artists. Chaka Khan noted Mandoki's work on inspiring collaboration and synergy. Randy Brecker credited Mandoki as the bandleader and emphasized the friendships cultivated within the band. Greg Lake, of Emerson, Lake & Palmer, described them as "one of the best bands you will ever hear." The Soulmates address socio-political themes through their music, drawing on the tradition of progressive jazz rock. According to Mandoki, the group focuses on collaborative creativity rather than being solely a celebrity-driven project. The Soulmates' music incorporates themes reflecting the belief that music can serve as a platform for artistic integrity and social commentary through lyrics. Released on May 10, 2024, the band's latest album, "A Memory of Our Future," addresses socio-political issues. Recorded using analog techniques from the initial note to the final vinyl disc, the album is available on vinyl and digitally. A Dolby Atmos surround-sound version is also available. "Home – Mandoki Soulmates" (in German). Retrieved 2024-07-14. Nothacker, Julia (2024-04-29). 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"Mandoki Soulmates Make Live U.S. Debut With New York Benefit Concert". Billboard. Retrieved 2024-06-11. ProgReport (2024-04-29). "Leslie Mandoki on his favorite albums from the Mandoki Soulmates members and the new album 'A Memory of Our Future'". The Prog Report. Retrieved 2024-06-11. Daly, Andrew (2024-04-22). "An Interview With Leslie Mandoki Of The Mandoki Soulmates". ClassicRockHistory.com. Retrieved 2024-06-11. Hochkeppel, Oliver (2023-08-20). "Leslie Mandokis "Soulmates" feiern ihr Dreißigjähriges im Circus Krone". Süddeutsche.de (in German). Retrieved 2024-06-11. Hochkeppel, Oliver (2023-01-06). "Der Produzent, Bandleader und Schlagzeuger Leslie Mandoki wird 70". Süddeutsche.de (in German). Retrieved 2024-06-11. Nemzet, Magyar (2024-04-29). "Világszerte felkavarta az állóvizet a Mandoki Soulmates új lemeze + videó". Világszerte felkavarta az állóvizet a Mandoki Soulmates új lemeze + videó (in Hungarian). Retrieved 2024-06-11. D'Adamo, Daniele (2024-03-30). "Mandoki Soulmates: il video di 'The Big Quit' dal nuovo album "A Memory of Our Future" – truemetal.it". True Metal (in Italian). Retrieved 2024-06-11. Official website