Manu Delago - Handmade

Review by Ave Hurley

Handmade, the latest album by Manu Delago, is a stunningly beautiful and intricately crafted work that showcases the Austrian percussionist's extraordinary talent and creativity. Filled with rich textures, intricate rhythms, and haunting melodies, the album takes listeners on a journey through a wide range of musical styles and moods, from the dreamy and atmospheric "Gaea" to the upbeat and playful "Freeze".

One of the standout tracks on the album is "Zeitgeber", a mesmerizing piece that features Delago's signature hang drum and a hypnotic, pulsing beat that builds to a cathartic climax. Another highlight is "A Step", a hauntingly beautiful track that showcases Delago's skill as a composer and arranger, with its intricate layers of percussion, strings, and woodwinds.

Throughout the album, Delago demonstrates his ability to blend acoustic and electronic sounds in a seamless and organic way, creating a sound that is both innovative and deeply rooted in tradition. His use of live looping and sampling adds an extra layer of complexity and depth to the music, creating a sense of spontaneity and improvisation that keeps the listener engaged and entranced.

Summary by Ave Hurley

Handmade is a masterpiece of modern percussion music, and a testament to Manu Delago's skill, artistry, and vision. Fans of experimental music, world music, and electronic music alike will find much to love in this album, which is sure to be a classic of its genre for years to come.