Man - ' Do You Like It Here Now, Are You Settling In?'
(Esoteric / Cherry Red) Catalog number: ECLEC2013
From Aural Innovations #38 (Jan 2008)
Originally released in 1971, so I'm assuming this was possibly Man's fourth
album. Features the same line-up as one of the other recent CD reissues that
Esoteric has just put out, the self-titled ' Man' disc. I had compared notes
with a couple of old school Man fans and one of them had mentioned that ' Do
You Like.....' may not necessarily be considered to be one of the British band's
better works. I, for one enjoyed it just as much as the ' Man' 1970 title. "Angel
Easy" is an awesome and rather uplifting rocker to start off with, as was
"All Good Clean Fun" was a full hearted effort, too (sort of caught
me by surprise) and "We're Only Children" features some tight vocals
and nicely played blues guitar. "Manillo" is taylor-made for those
who totally dig Man's trademark ' 70's guitar riffing. "Love Your Life"
was a cut that I found myself playing over several times, as it has an almost
Deep Purple-like organ sound to it. Noticed this Man CD reissue offers you three
added bonus cuts, such as live edits of "Many Are Called, But Few Get Up",
the previously mentioned "Angel Easy" (as like most songs from any
artist, sounds more energetic when performed live) and an eighteen-minute extended
live version of the band's blues rock gem "Romain" - almost worth
the price of admission alone. One thing I would like to know is, why hasn't
Man been better known? I know for a fact they still exist to this day. Would
make a great gift for any aging concert goer or anyone who supported Man back
in the day. Keep up the good work, Esoteric.
Check out the record label web site at: http://www.cherryred.co.uk
Reviewed by Mike Reed