Mani Memories

Celebrating Mani aka Gary Mounfield, 16th November 1962 to 20th November 2025.

There have been so many wonderfully written and heartfelt tributes to Mani in the past few days that there's not a lot that I can add. Unlike many of my blogosphere peers, my life wasn't transformed by The Stone Roses. 

My friend Stu had the album and I liked it, but not enough to buy anything more than the standalone single Fools Gold / What The World Is Waiting For, which I loved. 

When The Stone Roses played at The Bierkeller in Bristol in the summer of 1989, I was either skint or otherwise occupied. My live picks for that year included Pixies, Inspiral Carpets and, er, The Monkees.

For all that, I thought they were great, and had a particular fondness for Mani, so when he joined Primal Scream following The Stone Roses' end, it was a very good thing.

In the tributes, there is an overwhelming sense of what a decent, down to earth person Mani was. Even from my ignorant distance, what stands out is his loyalty; Mani stuck with The Stone Roses., gave 15 years to Primal Scream and then heeded the call to get the old band back together.

There was also Freebass, the supergroup with Peter Hook and Andy Rourke, though other extra curricular activity was rare: a couple of songs on Bryan Ferry's 2010 album Olympia, two live rehearsal tracks with The Racketeers circa 2004, another couple with Aziz Ibrahim in 2000, and that's all I have.

What ties them all together is Mani's superlative bass. In compiling today's tribute, I found a 1983 demo by The Waterfront, a precursor to The Stone Roses, and Mani's talent shines through from the start.

At the end, I've pulled together a 10-song tribute to Mani, spanning all of the above. I won't pretend to be an expert, and my picks for The Stone Roses and Primal Scream may be obvious choices, but I hope the selection overall does Mani justice.

Man, could Mani play bass.

In preparing this post, I received an email from my friend Mike:

Hi Khayem,

sad news about Mani today. 

I'm not sure my 'review' is appropriate in its entirety but:

1) Its a reminder for me about how I felt 30 years ago and 

2) it does help me reflect on how good Mani was in a live setting.

Feel free to just read or take a bit of the essence

Regards,

Mike

I'm sharing Mike's entire item, unedited.

The Stone Roses – Great Hall Exeter University 5th December 1995

On a cold Tuesday night nigh on 30 years ago my mate Chris and I travelled down the M5 to see a band that many felt were the greatest of that era.

We both didn’t know Exeter at all and tried to find a car park that was ‘central’ before trudging off to find the University. Once entering the venue we realised it was packed to the rafters with students and blokes in their early 20’s hoping to have their ‘Spike Island’ moment. From memory it wasn’t long until the band took to the stage and a long intro started. The sound was good and the first thing you noticed was how good Reni and Mani sounded together. It didn’t take long until John Squires started to unleash his trademark riffs and all was good with the world. And then Ian Brown started singing…

I’ve often thought about this gig and looked at people reminiscing about going to see the Stone Roses in the late 1980’s-mid 1990’s. Were Reni and Mani the best rhythm section of our lifetime? A bold statement yes but I think one that could be argued. Was John Squire one of the best lead guitarists to come out of the UK? Again I think that is something that has good evidence behind it. However my issue always was the lead singer. I remember on the night trying to go to different parts of the Hall to see if it was a dodgy speaker or just where I was stood. The final track was ‘I am the Resurrection’ and I just thought at the time would I ever hear a better bassline played live in my lifetime and now that Mani has passed I think I can honestly say probably not.

We drove home through the snow agreeing on one thing – that when it was down to the musicians in the band they were faultless – Mani, Reni, John we salute you. If only you had let your lead singer go then they could have been one of the greatest live bands ever 

RIP Mani.

Many thanks, Mike, wonderfully expressed. And now for some music.

1) BF Bass (Ode To Olympia) (Album Version): Bryan Ferry (2010)

2) Breaking Into Heaven (Album Version): The Stone Roses (1994)

3) Can't Go Back (Album Version): Primal Scream (2008)

4) Nuts For You (Live Rehearsal Track): The Racketeers (Wayne Kramer & Brian James) (2004)

5) You Don't Know (This About Me) (EP Version): Freebass ft. Tim Burgess (2010)

6) Where The Wind Blows: The Waterfront (1983)

7) I Am The Resurrection (Album Version): The Stone Roses (1989)

8) If They Move, Kill 'Em (Album Version): Primal Scream (1997)

9) Middle Road (Aziz Album Mix): Aziz ft. Paul Weller (2000)

10) The Milky Way Is Our Playground (EP Version): Freebass ft. Pete Wylie (2010)

Mani Memories (51:43) (GD) (M)

Somerset Sider

History reinvented with Friday's slightly shaken selection, courtesy of Johnson Somerset.

I first discovered his work in 2016 via Paper Romance by Groove Armada (included here) and an entire album's worth of Duran Duran overhauls called Eiffel Tower.

Here's six crowd pleasers from a back catalogue that now runs into the hundreds, and continues to be added to YouTube on a regular basis.

1) Dance Hall Days (Johnson Somerset Remix): Wang Chung (2023)

2) Notorious (Johnson Somerset Remix): Duran Duran (2025)

3) Paper Romance (Johnson Somerset Remix): Groove Armada ft. Fenech-Soler & SaintSaviour (2013)

4) Summertime Sadness (Johnson Somerset Remix): Lana Del Rey (2020)

5) Self Control (Johnson Somerset Remix): Laura Branigan (2023)

6) The In Crowd (West End Wolf Remix): Bryan Ferry (2013)

 

 

 

 

 

April Fools

What else for All Fools' Day than an all fools playlist?

Oh, and whilst I'm here: pinch, punch, first of the month, no returns.

And happy birthday, Mama K.

1) Caravan Of Fools: John Prine (2018)

2) Don't Be A Fool (12" Extended Version): Loose Ends (1990)

3) The Fool On The Hill (Demo): The Beatles (1967)

4) Fools (Single Version): Depeche Mode (1983)

5) Fools Gold (Grooverider's Mix) (Edit 2): The Stone Roses (1999)

6) Where Fools Rush In (Radio Edit): Billie Ray Martin (2001)

7) Fool Yourself (Skit): Little Feat (1973)

8) Ditch The Fool: The Pastels (1989)

9) These Foolish Things (Album Version) (Cover of Leslie Hutchinson): Bryan Ferry (1973)

10) Why Do Fools Fall In Love: Frankie Lymon & The Teenagers (1955)

11) Wise And Foolish (John Peel Session): Misty In Roots (1980)

1955: Why Do Fools Fall In Love EP: 10

1973: These Foolish Things: 9

1983: Love In Itself EP: 4

1989: Sittin' Pretty: 8

1990: Don't Be A Fool EP: 2

1995: The John Peel Sessions: 11

1996: The Beatles Anthology 2: 3

1997: Tribe Vibes Vol. 1: 7

2000: The Remixes: 5

2001: Where Fools Rush In EP: 6

2018: The Tree Of Forgiveness: 1

April Fools (46:29) (KF) (Mega)

'87 Heaven

A return trip to the 1980s, specifically singles troubling the UK Top 50 on 28th October 1987.

I was 16 and had just started sixth form college...for the first time, anyway, this one didn't last. I was sadly single, at the same college as my ex and was very attracted to a girl called Maria who shared a couple of classes with me. Of course, I was far too shy to ask her out for a date and besides, she'd expressed a preference for tall, muscular Italian men. I was a skinny weirdo from Bristol who had been to a gym and decided it wasn't for me.

Music never let me down, though. There was always something there for whatever mood or situation I found myself in. In October 1987, I was still pretty rooted in guitar music, leaning towards indie/goth, my mate Paul was introducing me to hip hop and rap and, much as I may outwardly protest to the contrary, I still loved cheesy pop, though Stock, Aitken & Waterman were a step too far most of the time.

The UK singles chart was a bit of a mixed bag in the week of 25th-31st October 1987. Bee Gees were at #1 with You Win Again, for the third of what would be a four-week run at the top. Amazingly, the song kept Faith by George Michael at #2 for this and the following week; I would have sworn the latter was also a #1.

This selection cherry picks seven songs that were heading up, down or just staying put in the Top 50, presented here in various 12" versions, my format of choice at the time. Spookily, pretty much all of the songs featured here had achieved their highest chart position in this week (excluding previous or subsequent (re)releases). I've put chart positions in brackets after each song.

 

For the price of admission, you will be entertained by Scarlet Fantastic and Fleetwood Mac respectively remixed by PWL stalwarts Pete Hammond and Pete Waterman, and John 'Jellybean' Benitez.

 

Bryan Ferry ropes in Johnny Marr on what is essentially a cover of Money Changes Everything by The Smiths, Ferry adding his own lyrics to Marr's original composition.  

 

Walk The Dinosaur by Was (Not Was) is a party song and 80s compilation staple. This is a much different, sample-heavy take on the song, which occasionally nods to the original.

Billy Idol originally released a cover of Mony Mony on his debut solo EP, Don't Stop, in 1981. Six years later, a live version was released as a single and cracked the UK Top 10. Tom Lord-Alge provided a couple of new remixes for the 12" single.

Blue Mercedes were a dance pop duo from the PWL stable, remixed here by Phil Harding & Ian Curnow. Whilst they didn't match the success of many of their label mates, debut single I Want To Be Your Property did manage the admirable feat of dropping for a couple of weeks after this week's peak of #47 then staging a recovery at getting to #23 the following month. Rumours that PWL A&R was giving children wads of cash to purchase multiple copies of the single from HMV and Our Price are unfounded.

Ending as it only can with the Queen of Pop, with a nearly 10-minute remix of Causing A Commotion by Madonna. The song was taken from the film, Who's That Girl, effectively a showcase for Madge's sidestep into acting. I'm sure I've seen it at least once but I frankly can't remember a thing about it. I love the song though I was surprised to find that the single peaked at #4 on 26th September and was on a slow and steady exit from the Top 40 by 28th October. Such was Madonna's impact at the time that I would have assumed that every single was a #1.

 

Today's image is from Doctor Who, specifically the story Paradise Towers, the 4th and final episode of which aired on 26th October 1987. It was Sylvester McCoy's eighth on-screen appearance in the titular role, an appointment arguably only slightly less controversial than the casting the previous year of Bonnie Langford as companion Mel. 

 

Although the show was 'rested' a couple of years later for nearly two decades, McCoy was able to establish himself as a great Doctor during his tenure. Bonnie's character rehabilitation took a while longer and via the medium of Doctor Who audio productions. The announcement in June this year that Mel will be returning to the TV show after nearly four decades was greeted with more joy than Bonnie could possibly have imagined in 1987.

 

1) No Memory (Extra Sensory Mix By Pete Hammond & Pete Waterman) (Edit): Scarlet Fantastic (#30)

2) Little Lies (Extended Version By John 'Jellybean' Benitez): Fleetwood Mac (#5)

3) The Right Stuff (Dance Mix By Alan Meyerson / Edited By The Latin Rascals): Bryan Ferry ft. Johnny Marr (#37)

4) Walk The Dinosaur (The Debunking Of Uri Geller Mix By Don Was & Jamie Muhoberac): Was (Not Was) (#10)

5) Mony Mony (Hung Like A Pony Remix By Tom Lord-Alge) (Cover of Tommy James & The Shondells): Billy Idol (#7)

6) I Want To Be Your Property (Daktari Mix By Phil Harding & Ian Curnow): Blue Mercedes (#47)

7) Causing A Commotion (Movie House Mix By Shep Pettibone & Junior Vasquez): Madonna (#35)

 

'87 Heaven (46:04) (KF) (Mega)

For your further entertainment, here are the official videos for each of the seven songs. They don't make 'em like this anymore.

 

Still Dripping Onto My Tongue

Side 2 of a cassette compilation recorded 13th January 2003. A return trip to the early-to-mid 1990s with some mid-week bangers.

 

The first of a double bill of The Grid on this side, Dave Ball and Richard Norris remixing one of Dublin's finest, Fionán Martin Hanvey aka Gavin Friday. You Me And World War Three was a single from Gavin's criminally underrated album, Shag Tobacco. 

From Dublin to London via Bristol as Way Out West rework Lucky Monkeys... well, it's Fluke really, using an alias to release the rather tip top tune Bjango on another label. Bjeautiful bjeats, one might say.

Next up a game of "Where's Bryan?" as Monsieur Ferry's cover of a Screamin' Jay Hawkins classic gets remixed beyond recognition by The Future Sound Of London. There were two Yage mixes on the CD single, one at 5 minutes and the 'Long Version' featured here just tipping the 10 minute mark. 

Shades Of Rhythm are Nick Slater, Kevin Lancaster and Rayan Hepburn. In 1991, they released Sound Of Eden on ZTT, with a re-release featuring a ton of remixes following a couple of years later. The Coco, Steel & Lovebomb Mix featured here is from the re-release (CD single). It's the only Shades Of Rhythm record that I own, but I've just discovered that they've been steadily releasing music from the archives on Bandcamp for the last couple of years, so I will check it out.

Back to The Grid with standalone single Diablo from 1995, featuring the vocals of another Dubhed favourite, Vanessa Contenay-Quiñones. Similar in tone to mega hit Swamp Thing, replacing the Deep South for Mexico, Diablo didn't match the success of the former but I never tire of hearing this song, especially in the full length version included here.

Rounding off this side is Rising High Collective aka Plavka Lonich and Caspar Pound. Caspar sadly passed in 2004, only 33 years old. Plavka has continued in music, both as a collaborator - most famously with Jam & Spoon - and as a solo artist. Her latest single, In The VIP, was released last month and you can find Plavka's recent releases on YouTube.

 

1) You Me And World War Three (Armageddon Mix By The Grid aka Dave Ball & Richard Norris): Gavin Friday (1996)

2) Bjango (Way Out West 'Bjangin' Dub) (Remix By Nick Warren & Jody Wisternoff): Lucky Monkeys (1996) 

3) I Put A Spell On You (Yage Mix Long Version By The Future Sound Of London aka Brian Dougans & Garry Cobain) (Cover of Screamin' Jay Hawkins): Bryan Ferry (1993)

4) Sound Of Eden (Coco, Steel & Lovebomb Mix By Chris Mellor): Shades Of Rhythm (1993)

5) Diablo (Acapulco Gold Mix By Dave Ball & Richard Norris): The Grid ft. Vanessa Contenay-Quiñones (1995)

6) Liquid (Perry & Rhodan Mix By Ralph Hertwig & Tommi Eckart): Rising High Collective (1994)

 

Side Two (45:55) (KF) (Mega)

Side One here

What's In My Bag?

So, I've recently discovered the series What's In My Bag? on YouTube. It's a very simple premise: celebrity musician visits Amoeba Music in Hollywood ("The world's largest independent record store"), bags half a dozen or so vinyl LPs then presents them and why they've picked them. It's perfect capsule viewing, running anything from 2 to 20 minutes and it's utterly compelling. 

The range is pleasingly eclectic: in the past month alone, the weekly series has featured Rick Astley, Jeff Parker, Fontaines D.C., Franz Ferdinand and Damien Jurado. This week's spotlight was Matt Berry and, as you might expect, it's a real treat.

Matt's selection encompasses artists I've heard of but not really heard much by (Frank Zappa, Beach House, Damien Jurado, Emma Noble, Cluster), one I'm very familiar with (Bryan Ferry) to several I've never heard before now (Tennis, Hailu Mergia & the Walias Band) but frankly, they're all great. And Matt himself is on top form, alternately self-deprecating and couldn't-give-a-shit about his musical choices. 

Here's a selection from each of the featured albums, though not necessarily the same specific tracks featured in Matt's What's In My Bag? episode. Regardless, I feel another shopping spree coming on...

 

 

Beatmaker (Cover of Doris): Matt Berry ft. Emma Noble (2022)

Bognor Regis: Frank Zappa (1969)

Smoke Gets In Your Eyes (Cover of Gertrude Niesen): Bryan Ferry (1974)

Need Your Love: Tennis (2020)

Ou-Ou-Ta: Hailu Mergia & The Walias Band (1975)

Johnny Caravella (Live @ Pustervik, Gothenburg, Sweden): Damien Jurado (2022)

Modern Love Stories: Beach House (2022)

Nabitte: Cluster (1972)

In A Discotheque At Dawn Is When It Came To Me

Nothing clever or fancy about today's selection: 7 randomly selected 12" mixes, sequenced in alphabetical order by artist. Some unexpected and welcome treats, though: a welcome return to this blog for Act aka Claudia Brücken & Thomas Leer; Bryan Ferry goes clubbing*; an early remix by Justin Robertson; François K taking on The Cure; and disco and dub classics from Grace Jones and Gregory Isaacs. To close, a track from modern dub colossi Youth and Gaudi, remixed by Cambridge DJ/producer Kuba, which has introduced me to a couple of new genres, psychill and broken beat. Every day an education. And a reason to keep moving.

1) Chance (Throbbin' Mix By Stephen Lipson): Act (1988)

2) You Can Dance (John Monkman Remix): Bryan Ferry (2010)

3) Redhills Road (Most Excellent Mix By Justin Robertson): Candy Flip (1991)

4) Hey You!!! (Extended Remix By François Kevorkian & Alan Gregorie): The Cure (1988)

5) La Vie En Rose (A Tom Moulton Mix): Grace Jones (1977)

6) Cool Down The Pace (10" Mix By Godwin Logie & Paul 'Groucho' Smykle): Gregory Isaacs (1982)

7) Empress Of The Tarot (Kuba Remix By Laurence Harvey): Youth & Gaudi (2020) 

 

* This is very good, but the original version by DJ Hell is the best.

In A Discotheque At Dawn Is When It Came To Me (44:12)

Are You Ready For The 70's Explosion?

Side 1 of a mixtape, originally compiled 16th September 1990 and another of my cassette set cobbled together for my year abroad. This liberally pilfered my parents' K-Tel & Ronco vinyl collection, cheap and cheerful purchases from the local cash and carry when I was a kid. Some classics, some cheese, no apologies.

 

1) The 'In' Crowd (Cover of Dobie Gray): Bryan Ferry (1974)

2) Red Dress: Alvin Stardust (1974)

3) Emma (Album Version): Hot Chocolate (1974)

4) Rock Your Baby (Single Version): George McCrae (1974)

5) What Am I Gonna Do With You: Barry White (1975)

6) Reach Out I'll Be There (Cover of The Four Tops): Gloria Gaynor (1975)

7) The Love I Lost (Single Version): Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes (1973)

8) Queen Of Clubs: KC & The Sunshine Band (1974)

9) Saturday Night's Alright For Fighting (Album Version): Elton John (1973)

10) Pool Hall Richard: Faces (1973)

11) Dance With The Devil: Cozy Powell (1973)

12) Radar Love (Single Version): Golden Earring (1973)

13) The Show Must Go On: Leo Sayer (1973)

14) Seasons In The Sun: Terry Jacks (1974)

15) I Can See Clearly Now: Johnny Nash (1972)

 

Side One (53:31)

 

Fragmentary Glimpses Of Eternity

A cosmic excursion, showcasing songs reconstructed by Brian Dougans and Gary Cobain aka The Amorphous Androgynous and The Future Sound Of London.

 

1) FSOL Deseo Reconstruction (Remix By The Future Sound Of London): Jon Anderson (1995)

2) AKA... What A Life! (The Amorphous Androgynous Remix): Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds (2012)

3) Edge Of The Universe (A Monstrous Psychedelic Bubble Remix By The Amorphous Androgynous): Syd Arthur (2014)

4) I Put A Spell On You (Yage Mix Long Version By The Future Sound Of London) (Cover of Screamin' Jay Hawkins): Bryan Ferry (1993)

5) Murdered & Downer (A Monstrous Psychedelic Bubble Remix By The Amorphous Androgynous) (Part II): The Kooks (2015)

6) Re:Evolution / Re-iteration (FSOL Mix By The Future Sound Of London): The Shamen ft. Terence McKenna (1993) 

 

Fragmentary Glimpses Of Eternity (55:55) (Box) (Mega)
 

Zoo Time Is She And You Time

Side 1 of a mixtape cassette titled heartbeatincreasingheartbeat, recorded 25th September 1991. 

 

Back in Bristol after a year working and travelling in Australia, back at college for a second go at 'A' levels having dropped out after 6 months a few years previously, back living with my parents after a period of independence and freedom and back in local record shops, sniffing out new and old vinyl.

1) The Man With The Golden Arm (Full Length Version) (Cover of Elmer Bernstein): Barry Adamson (1988)

2) Strange Days: The Doors (1967)

3) Trip, Stumble & Fall: The Mamas & The Papas (1966)

4) De-Luxe: Lush (1990)

5) Theme II: Clan Of Xymox (1986)

6) Spoil The Child: Fad Gadget ft. Joni Sackett (1983)

7) This Town Ain't Big Enough For Both Of Us: Sparks (1974)

8) Thank You For Sending Me An Angel: Talking Heads (1978)

9) The Light Pours Out Of Me ('One Pound Ninety-Nine' Version) (Cover of Magazine): Peter Murphy (1985)

10) The Sleeper: John Cale (1985)

11) The Avenue: O.M.D. (1984)

12) The 'In' Crowd (Cover of Dobie Gray): Bryan Ferry (1974)

13) Wheels Of Fortune: Fad Gadget (1982)

Side One (47:19)

Find Side Two here 
 

Summer Sunshine Cover Up

This may be the only karaoke bar where you'll find Little Annie, Frank Sidebottom, Miley Cyrus, Bobby Womack and Marc Bolan in the same room. An hour of summer sunshine - don't forget your SPF 50+.

1) That Summer Feeling: The Vaccines sing Jonathan Richman & The Modern Lovers (2012)

2) Good Day Sunshine: Roy Redmond sings The Beatles (1967)

3) Summer Wine: Evan Dando & Sabrina Brooke sing Nancy Sinatra (2002)

4) This Ain't The Summer Of Love: L7 sing Blue Öyster Cult (1997)

5) Summer Nights: 14 Iced Bears sing John Travolta & Olivia Newton-John (1990)

6) Sunshine Of Your Love: Spanky Wilson sings Cream (1970)

7) Summer In The City (Special Disco Version): Evolution sing The Lovin' Spoonful (1978)

8) Walking On Sunshine (Club Mix): Loopzilla sing Eddy Grant (1990)

9) Paris Summer (Live at The Olympia Theatre, Paris): The Last Shadow Puppets & Alison Mosshart sing Nancy Sinatra & Lee Hazlewood (2008)

10) Indian Summer: Luna sing Beat Happening (2006)

11) In The Summertime: Frank Sidebottom sings Mungo Jerry (1985)

12) Boys (Summertime Love): Something Happens sing Sabrina (1990)

13) Summertime Sadness (Live Lounge Session, BBC Radio 1): Miley Cyrus sings Lana Del Rey (2013)

14) Summertime: Bobby Womack & The Roots sing Abbie Mitchell (1998)

15) The Summer Knows: Little Annie & Paul Wallfisch sing Barbra Streisand & Michel Legrand (2008)

16) Summertime Blues (Electric Warrior Demo): T. Rex sing Eddie Cochran (1971)

17) You Are My Sunshine: Bryan Ferry sings The Pine Ridge Boys (1974)

 

Summer Sunshine Cover Up (1:09:51)