THE NEW RELEASE from....
An early lineup of The Balance: Craig Lachmund, co-composer and guitars; Steve Cooper, Electronic Valve Instrument and keys; Tim Mallot, drums; Mark Manley, co-composer and basses; Deniece West, guest vocalist; Jon Uban, keys.
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"I've got a name I've been saving up," I said. "How about, The Balance....?"
Everybody tried it on for size. It had relationship to the physical, the mental, the emotional, the financial, the spiritual... It implied a lot of things, and all of the implications were positive...
It was agreed--- we were now The Balance.
The Balance was my first band as a bandleader. I had decided that The Balance was going to strive to be the kind of group I had thought about being in since high school--- a powerhouse funk-fusion band with the occasional-- and hopefully-- intelligent lyric thrown into the mix. We sprang up on the Chicago north side in the late 1980's. We played festivals all over the midwest, and eventually landed the much sought after weekend slot at the legendary Jazz Bulls night club. At one point, The Balance had interest from three major labels. The Balance was rough-and-tumble, sophisticated and sublime. (I know, I'm biased. But. I am still truthful.)
It was while playing with The Balance that I really began to learn my craft as a bass player. It was also my good fortune to learn from some of the best musicians in the world through this experience. Take a look at the album credits and you will see names that arguably represent some of the finest on their respective instruments. Being a household name is great, but being truly great is better. I suspect that if Chicago had had the same press opportunities as New York, some of these folks would indeed be household names.... It has been an honor for me to share the same stages.
I would also like to thank Daniel Lopez, one of the greatest musicians I know--- whose axe is actually a paint brush--- for his major musical influence during this time.
I hope you enjoy listening to this vibrant, soulful, funky music as much as we enjoyed creating it for you.
"I've got a name I've been saving up," I said. "How about, The Balance....?"
Everybody tried it on for size. It had relationship to the physical, the mental, the emotional, the financial, the spiritual... It implied a lot of things, and all of the implications were positive...
It was agreed--- we were now The Balance.
The Balance was my first band as a bandleader. I had decided that The Balance was going to strive to be the kind of group I had thought about being in since high school--- a powerhouse funk-fusion band with the occasional-- and hopefully-- intelligent lyric thrown into the mix. We sprang up on the Chicago north side in the late 1980's. We played festivals all over the midwest, and eventually landed the much sought after weekend slot at the legendary Jazz Bulls night club. At one point, The Balance had interest from three major labels. The Balance was rough-and-tumble, sophisticated and sublime. (I know, I'm biased. But. I am still truthful.)
It was while playing with The Balance that I really began to learn my craft as a bass player. It was also my good fortune to learn from some of the best musicians in the world through this experience. Take a look at the album credits and you will see names that arguably represent some of the finest on their respective instruments. Being a household name is great, but being truly great is better. I suspect that if Chicago had had the same press opportunities as New York, some of these folks would indeed be household names.... It has been an honor for me to share the same stages.
I would also like to thank Daniel Lopez, one of the greatest musicians I know--- whose axe is actually a paint brush--- for his major musical influence during this time.
I hope you enjoy listening to this vibrant, soulful, funky music as much as we enjoyed creating it for you.
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KICK credits
Who Can Make You Whole Again?
Mark Manley, bass and vocals
Rob Müller, drums and vocals
Leon Santiago, vocals and percussion
Evan Smith, keys
Joe Pullaro, guitar
Steve Shelby, guitar
Dale Smith, 6-string bass
Casebeer, vocals
Cosa
Mark Manley, bass
Craig Lachmund, guitar
Tommy Lentz, drums
Steve Cooper, electronic valve instrument (EVI), keys
Dave Hodges, keys
Wayne Bryan, keys
Permanent Romance
Mark Manley, bass and vocals
Carl Coan, saxophone
Robert Baglione, guitar
Gary Donnelly, drums
Beautiful Children Of The World
Mark Manley, bass and vocals
Craig Lachmund, guitar
Tommy Lentz, drums
Steve Cooper, EVI, keys
Dave Hodges, keys
Wayne Bryan, keys
Silverlinings
Mark Manley, bass
Carl Coan, saxophone
Robert Baglione, guitar
Gary Donnelly, drums
Passage To Marseilles
Mark Manley, bass and vocals
Carl Coan, saxophone
Robert Baglione, guitar
Robert Gates, drums
Mark's Bass Solo (live)
Mark Manley, bass
Glen Saunders, drums
Cosa (live)
Mark Manley, bass
Craig Lachmund, guitar
Tommy Lentz, drums
Carl Coan, saxophone
Band Intro
Silverlinings breakdown (live)
Mark Manley, bass
Craig Lachmund, guitar
Carl Coan, Electronic Wind Instrument (EWI)
Robert Gates, drums
Rain Forest
Mark Manley, bass
[All sounds created on Wal Doubleneck bass guitar.]
Who Can Make You Whole Again? (breakdown)
Mark Manley, bass and vocals
Craig Lachmund, guitar
Mike Richards, drums
Garrett Cope, keys
Permanent Romance intro (rehearsal)
Mark Manley, bass
Craig Lachmund, guitar
Tommy Lentz, drums
An early lineup of The Balance. Pictured are Carl Coan on sax; Mark Manley on bass; Robert Baglione on guitar; Tommy Lentz on drums.
Pictured, the longest lasting lineup of The Balance, featuring Carl Coan on saxes and Electronic Wind Instrument; Robert Baglione on guitars; Mark Manley on fretted and fretless basses; Robert Gates on drums.
What folks are saying about the new album by The Balance: KICK
"The Balance" featuring bassist Mark Manley is in my opinion a raw and organic collection of music in the Jazz Fusion Vein. Mark's playing is very reminiscent of Stanley Clarke's which is never a bad thing. What Mark does additionally is that he takes what Stanley does a step further by adding a distinct element of "Wildmanism" if you will. "The Balance" will definitely take you on a musical journey through hills and valleys, water and earth."
Larry Kimpel
L.A. Session Bassist; Maze Featuring Frankie Beverly
__________________
"We're losing the patient! Nurse; 10,000 cc's of 'MONSTER BASS' stat. This album is a must have for mad-scientist-musicians and the general public alike. Mark Manley's bass playing, and compositions are serious as a heart attack, but a lot more fun! Bass players have a new hero."
Rich Baron
VP@ GSM Talent MNGMT (Clearwater, FL)
Bassist and Custom Luthier
formerly with:
Ken Smith Basses, Ltd.
The Lane Poor Music Company
____________________
"An exceptionally fine CD release reminiscent of... Tony Williams... Alex Acuña's drumming... Al Dimeola... John McLaughlin's guitar work... Wayne Shorter, Joe Farrell's sax work... and excellent Bass Work that puts me in mind of Alphonso (Slim) Johnson... Uncle Stanley, Uncle Abe Laboriel... Victor, Marcus.... and My Mentor, Gil Scott-Heron. But this, somehow is some kind of N.F.S. (New Fresh Sound ) The Balance. Much needed in the world!"
Robbie {The Secretary Of Entertainment} Gordon
Gil Scott-Heron & The Midnight Band
Amnesia Express 4-Life
_____________________
"Mark Manley steps Deep into the Funk. Sharp, Witty lines that never let you down. Thank you for your Inspiration Marcus Aurelius..."
Randy@The Bass Place in AZ
____________________
"The Balance" featuring bassist Mark Manley is in my opinion a raw and organic collection of music in the Jazz Fusion Vein. Mark's playing is very reminiscent of Stanley Clarke's which is never a bad thing. What Mark does additionally is that he takes what Stanley does a step further by adding a distinct element of "Wildmanism" if you will. "The Balance" will definitely take you on a musical journey through hills and valleys, water and earth."
Larry Kimpel
L.A. Session Bassist; Maze Featuring Frankie Beverly
__________________
"We're losing the patient! Nurse; 10,000 cc's of 'MONSTER BASS' stat. This album is a must have for mad-scientist-musicians and the general public alike. Mark Manley's bass playing, and compositions are serious as a heart attack, but a lot more fun! Bass players have a new hero."
Rich Baron
VP@ GSM Talent MNGMT (Clearwater, FL)
Bassist and Custom Luthier
formerly with:
Ken Smith Basses, Ltd.
The Lane Poor Music Company
____________________
"An exceptionally fine CD release reminiscent of... Tony Williams... Alex Acuña's drumming... Al Dimeola... John McLaughlin's guitar work... Wayne Shorter, Joe Farrell's sax work... and excellent Bass Work that puts me in mind of Alphonso (Slim) Johnson... Uncle Stanley, Uncle Abe Laboriel... Victor, Marcus.... and My Mentor, Gil Scott-Heron. But this, somehow is some kind of N.F.S. (New Fresh Sound ) The Balance. Much needed in the world!"
Robbie {The Secretary Of Entertainment} Gordon
Gil Scott-Heron & The Midnight Band
Amnesia Express 4-Life
_____________________
"Mark Manley steps Deep into the Funk. Sharp, Witty lines that never let you down. Thank you for your Inspiration Marcus Aurelius..."
Randy@The Bass Place in AZ
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If you are a reviewer, please click here for access to the album tracks.
