Mano de Dios
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Mano de Dios

London, England, United Kingdom | INDIE

London, England, United Kingdom | INDIE
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"Jackson Scott at the Flamenco Festival"

- Video Footage - - Winkball.com


"Mano de Dios - Sleep through the morning light"

Ob Jackson Scott, (Flamenco-)Gitarrist und Sänger von Mano de Dios, bekennender Fußballfan ist, wurde bislang noch nicht bestätigt, ist aber dringend anzunehmen. Warum sonst sollte er seine Band nach der Hand Gottes benennen, die in der Welt der Kicker als Synonym für die zweifelhafte Leistung Diego Maradonas steht, den Ball in unlauterer Art und Weise (nämlich per Hand und während der WM 1986 in Mexiko) ins gegnerische, sprich englische Tor befördert zu haben. Sicher ist jedoch, dass Fußball kein Weicheiersport und folgerichtig die Musik von Mano de Dios auch kein Sängerknabenstelldichein ist. Vielmehr handelt es sich um eine einigermaßen raue Rock ’n’ Roll-Kapelle, der mit Hilfe von Ska-, Punk- und Gipsyelementen ein kerniges Hinterhof-Image verpasst wurde. Die Besetzung des spanisch/brasilianisch/kubanisch/britischen Quartetts entsprich der einer bodenständigen Rockband, mit dem einen kleinen Unterschied, dass der zweite Gitarrist Sky Murphy zusätzlich eine Posaune bedient, die der ganzen Chose zu noch mehr „street credibility“ verhilft. Neben Spanien haben sich Mano de Dios vor allem auch im Vereinigten Königreich eine ordentliche Reputation erspielt. Und so kam es, dass ein gewisser Martin Glover, besser bekannt unter seinem Pseudonym „Youth“ und als Bassist von Killing Joke, Wind von den Spaniern bekam und sich sofort anbot, das Album „Sleep Through the Morning Light“ zu produzieren. Das Ergebnis kann sich hören lassen: energievoller, kompromissloser, globaler Rootsrock mit hispanischen Untertönen, bestens geeignet für eine saftige Tanzparty.

www.mano-de-dios.com - Sound & Image De


"Mano de Dios - Sleep through the morning light"

Op het WK `86 in Mexico bezorgde de legendarische voetballer Maradona met zijn beroemde doelpunt “Mano de Dios”(hand van god) de Engelse tegenstander en de bevolking een trauma. We kunnen stellen dat dit incident eeuwigheidswaarde heeft, maar of we dit ook kunnen zeggen van Sleep Through The Morning Light, het debuutalbum van Mano De Dios, is de vraag.

Mano de Dios bestaat naast de Spaanse flamenco gitarist Jackson Scott uit de Spaanse drummer Roberto Ares, die zijn sporen verdiende in Brazilië, en de Cubaanse bassist Jimmy Martinez. Voeg bij dit zonnige karakter de Keltische klanken van gitarist/trombonist Sky Murphy en de eclectische mix van Mano de Dios is compleet. Hoewel, we vergeten eigenlijk producer en Killing Joke bassist Youth, die er na het zien van de band op stond het debuutalbum te produceren.

Net als wat Rick Rubin realiseerde bij Gogol Bordello, zo heeft Youth geprobeerd de energie van de optredens van Mano de Dios op het debuutalbum te vangen. De band was namelijk al wat jaartjes aan een live reputatie aan het bouwen, voordat er sprake was van een album.

Sleep Through The Morning Light bestaat eigenlijk uit drie delen. Zo is er de opening die met vier songs doet denken aan Gogol Bordello. Vooral de gypsy-skapunk opener ‘Blue Eyes’ weet te overtuigen door zijn Spaanse gitaar en zijn aanstekelijke refrein. Maar ook de opzwepende meezinger ‘Why We Do It?’ is met zijn trombone solo en zijn doorhakkende drum een fijne track. De overige twee songs zijn echter inwisselbaar.

Het tweede deel van het album bestaat uit een drietal songs die een Zuid-Amerikaanse sfeer ademen. De salsa van ‘Mandingo’, waarop voor het eerst Spaanse teksten langs komen, en ‘Shadows In My Mind’ werkt aanstekelijk. Het volledig Spaanse ‘Le Quiere Todo’ sluit met zijn gypsy-rock `n’roll het tweede deel af.

De nachtclubsfeer van het laatste deel heeft wat weg van de sound van Brian Setzer. De Zuid-Amerikaanse zon blijft wel aan de horizon staan, maar het wijkt af van de voorgaande delen. Het meezinggehalte blijft wel aanwezig. Hoewel de gruizige stem van Scott hier en daar wel wat irritant wordt. De mix van stijlen wordt bij songs als ‘Up Late’, het Tarantino-achtige ‘Need Some Light’ en hoogtepunt ‘Lay Your head Down’ aangevuld met wat bluesy en jazzy accenten. In die stijl sluit het album af met een alternatieve versie van ‘Why Do We Do It?’.

Hoe hard Youth ook zijn best heeft gedaan om de live-feel van Mano de Dios op het album te vangen, het komt er nooit echt uit. Met te weinig goede songs en te vaak het gevoel dat je het allemaal al eens eerder en bovendien beter gehoord hebt, zal dit album nooit de status bereiken van Maradona`s “Mano de Dios”. - Podium Info


"Sleep through the morning light"

Mano de Dios are an eclectic blend of musicians who earned their stripes as performers. Jackson Scott is an accomplished flamenco guitarist who grew up in Seville listening to gypsy street music, absorbing the native song-writing culture. Spanish drummer Roberto Ares honed his craft in Brazil and bass player Jimmy Martinez is Cuban. Add in the Celtic, ska-punk sensibilities of guitarist and trombone player Sky Murphy and you have all the elements that make up the global Mano de Dios sound. Mano de Dios have been causing a sensation on the UK festival circuit for over three years and made a conscious decision to spend time playing live before releasing their album. The Summer of 2011 saw them open for the Gypsy Kings and share billings with everyone from Rodrigo y Gabriella to Adam Ant. - Import CDs


"Mano de Dios play at carnivale"

Brit-based gypsy punk band Mano de Dios are a stalwart on the festival scene. Band members Jackson Scott, Sky Murphy, Roberto Ares and Jimmy Martinez have just announced new gigs taking place across London over the next few weeks. Tonight they play at Carnivale in East London; after that it’s Notting Hill Arts Club, Madame Jojo’s, The Troubador and Camino, amongst others, and an album launch later this year. - Time Out


"Samba with Sadie's ex"


Besides being famous for being Sadie Frost's former toyboy and a heart-throb, Jackson Scott is also a talented musician, channelling his Spanish upbringing through his flamenco-esque guitar playing and singing.

For the next three weeks, you can catch Jackson and his band, Mano de Dios, at The George Tavern, East London, every Thursday. The band's musical style is an eclectic and rugged mix of flamenco, punk, rumba and samba.


- The Daily Mail


"Sub Culture/ Mano de Dios"

Mano de Dios began as a rugged blend of flamenco, punk, rumba and samba - each member respecting their own roots. After two years playing together the music has developed beyond these influences into something extraordinary in its own right: Tom Waits meets The Pogues in a Berlin Cabaret about 850 miles North East of Las Tres Mil.

The live performances capture the friendship and style that has evolved through a shared passion for the songs, rhythms and romance that make up their sound today.

In 2007,the band recorded an EP (with Queen producer, Josh Macrae) which is available on itunes. The eponymous debut album is due for release independently in the coming months. Having played a number of festivals and events in the Summer including Cornbury, The Secret Garden party and Winterwell, Mano are currently playing clubs and events in London and beyond. - Sub culture - The Best new music


"Mano de Dios"

Mano de Dios
Featured track Blue Eyes
Spearheaded by enigmatic front-man Jackson Scott, Mano de Dios’ are areal underground revelation which has attracted legendary musician and producer Youth, of Killing Joke and Dragonfly fame to steer their latest EP. With a cool blend of flamenco, gypsy swing and little rumba, Mano de Dios will cranking things up Latin style in the FairTunes tent at Glastonbury. - Fairtunes


"Cornbury 2011 Lineup confirmed"

With less than a month to go, Cornbury Festival is excited to announce a couple of major additions to this year’s event. On the musical front fresh from their recent triumph at the Royal Albert Hall, The Straits (former members of Dire Straits) join Sunday’s main stage line up to give Olly Murs and Status Quo a run for their money.

The Straits will perform a one-hour greatest hits show, a perfect treat for the Cornbury regulars. Other musical gems added to the line up include rocking trouble makers the hotly tipped Vintage Trouble, local heroes Little Fish and Jackson Scott’s masterful combo Mano de Dios.

These acclaimed artists will play at Cornbury Festival on July 1 – 3 in Tew, Oxfordshire, alongside headliners James Blunt; the real star of the 2009 X Factor, Olly Murs; Irish superstar Imelda May; and pop princess Eliza Doolittle. Also appearing are folk heroes Bellowhead, disco diva Sophie Ellis Bextor, and Eighties popstars Deacon Blue.

If that wasn’t exciting enough, Cornbury media partners Absolute Radio is launching the Absolute Radio Comedy Tent with a mesmerising comedy line up selecting a wonderful variety of acts to provide big laughs, and an authentic comedy festival experience. The tent will be live on Saturday and Sunday hosted by Antipodean joke machine, Jarred Christmas.

Stand-up acts include: Josh Widdicombe (winner of FHM Stand-Up Hero, Stand-Up for the Week), Elis James (Dave’s One Night Stand), Ed Gamble (Dave’s One Night Stand), Sara Pascoe (Campus, Free Agents), Holly Walsh (Michael McIntyre’s Comedy Roadshow), Tony Law, Jason Cook, and comedy legend Sean Hughes plus many more.

Musical comedy includes Frisky and Mannish, Abandoman, and Isy Suttie (Peep Show, Dave’s One Night Stand), and Gareth Richards along with the best in sketch comedy the outstanding double-act Cardinal Burns.

This will be Cornbury’s 8th year but its first at a new site. The festival has moved to the beautiful village of Great Tew. Nestling in the rolling hills of the Cotswold countryside, the Great Tew Estate is one of Oxfordshire’s most beautiful and ancient sites.

Festival Director, Hugh Phillimore, says: “I’m thrilled to welcome these additional artists as well as the all new Comedy Tent to Cornbury. Having seen The Straits at Albert Hall recently, I can safely say that Cornbury crowds will be witness to a truly unforgettable performance.”

Cornbury Festival is one of the UK’s ‘cleanest, cosiest’ boutique festivals. It’s very family-orientated, with something for everyone. A quintessentially English festival, it maintains a good natured, inclusive, eclectic and slightly eccentric atmosphere with echoes of an old country fayre or a funky farmer’s market selling lots of fresh rock ‘n’ roll.

Tickets for the 2011 Cornbury Festival are currently on sale. Visit www.cornburyfestival.com

LINE UP:
Friday July 1st
James Blunt
Cyndi Lauper
Eliza Doolittle
Bellowhead
Buffy Sainte Marie

Saturday July 2nd
The Faces
Ray Davies
Imelda May
Sophie Ellis Bextor
The Like
Deacon Blue

Sunday July 3rd
Status Quo
Olly Murs
The Straits
The Saw Doctors
Jon Allen
Wilko Johnson




- Borkowski Arts and Ents


"Jackson Scott & Sky Murphy- Trasierra Fiesta"

Trasierra Fiesta

The magical Andalusian hideaway hotel Trasierra has passionate English fans and many of them marched on Priscilla Carluccio's shop, Few and Far, for an evening of Hispanic revelry. Charlotte Scott and children emerged from the woodland retreat to entertain the likes of charming Italian count Ricardo Lanza with wife Kinvara, Jamie Wemyss and Charlotte's sister, the actress Harriet Walter. Her son, Jackson, was of course on hand with his band Mano de Dios, while young blade and art dealer Blaise Patrick got down to 'charming' a Russian client.

Photographs Hugo Burnand

- Tatler


"Mano de Dios: “Para ganarnos la vida hemos sido muy camaleónicos”"

Jackson Scott es un tipo peculiar. Nacido
británico, se crió en Sevilla hasta hace
ocho años que volvió a Londres. El cruce
de culturas que se da en su mente ha per-
mitido la publicación de Sleep Through
The Morning Light (autoeditado), un ál-
bum en el que se mezcla rumba, flamen-
co, tango, música balcánica... todo con
un matiz fundamental de pop británico
e incluso rock ‘n’ roll, toques de swing
o country: “Me gustaban The Kinks, y
cosas de jazz de los años 20 y 30. Tuve
una racha de rock sinfónico (Yes), pero
más que nada flamenco. Más de cantao-
res viejos (Mairena), o la escuela de Mo-
rón, y los de siempre: Camarón y Paco
de Lucía. La primera novia que tuve en
Londres cuando volví a la ciudad, estaba
muy involucrada en el mundo del rock,
Libertines, Supergrass... íbamos con
ellos de fiesta, me empapé mucho de ese
mundo”, comenta.
La historia dice que debido a su pasado
andaluz, “sabían que tocaba flamenco y
me llamaban para tocar en bares como
música de fondo. Un día toqué una
rumba y fue un éxito, me dí cuenta que
podía ganar dinero tocando veinte mi-
nutos de rumba en vez de veinte horas
de flamenco”, nos cuenta. Y es así como
surge Mano de Dios, un claro guiño a
Diego Armando Maradona. “Monté un
grupo de un día para otro, música cañera
para que bailara la gente. Roger Taylor
(batería de Queen) nos vio y nos ofre-
ció su estudio para grabar”, habla de un
trabajo anterior. “Ese era básicamente
rumba en inglés, este es más difícil de
describir. El cambio lo provocó el cam-
bio de guitarrista: el anterior tocaba fla-
menco muy bien, pero se fue y vino un
colega que toca tipo rockabilly y cambió
la cosa inevitablemente”.
Su estilo tan ‘gipsy’ se forja en los ini-
cios de Mano de Dios: “Tocábamos en
todos lados, también en fiestas privadas,
hicimos un repertorio de diez canciones
y tocábamos en los sitios indies típicos
de Londres rollo Candem. Actuaban
grupos de rock y de buenas a primeras
salíamos nosotros, después nos empeza-
mos a meter en festivales, viajar a Fran-
cia, y para ganarnos la vida nos hacía-
mos los camaleones y tocábamos swing,
jazz antiguo, rumbas…”. El proceso
total ha durado más de un año, y han
contando con Youth y Michael Rendall
como productores, artífices también de
esa mezcla asombrosa que ofrecen Blue
Eyes, Mandinga,m Crème Caramel o
Why Do We Do It? En marzo le veremos
en la Joy Eslava junto a Miss Caffeina y
en mayo en el Territorios Sevilla entre otros. mano-de-dios.com
- CLUB DE MUSICA


"Mano de Dios, Sleep through the morning light"

London gypsy-punk quartet Mano De Dios will not endear themselves to English sports fans with their name, referencing a notorious 1986 football World Cup incident when Argentina’s Diego Maradona, playing against England in a highly charged post-Falklands War fixture, illegally punched the ball into the goal and attributed his team’s subsequent victory to “the hand of God.” Thankfully, anybody not harbouring quarter-century-old sporting grudges will find much to love in this ebullient debut. Mano De Dios boast members of Spanish, Cuban and English provenance and their forte is a vivacious, irresistible strain of flamenco-hued Latin party music that suggests an edgier, more attitudinal take on the Gypsy Kings. Their trump card is Spanish singer/guitarist Jackson Scott, whose prodigious songwriting talents incorporate punk, rumba and samba tropes while never straying far from good old rock ‘n’ roll. He ladles sly spaghetti-western guitar over “Lay Your Head Down,” channels Sandinista-era Clash on “Need Some Light” and tartly berates a no-good woman on “Crème Caramel”: “I hope someone stabs you out like a dirty cigarette.” Yet Mano De Dios’ mood is always resolutely upbeat: Even “Why Do We Do It,” lyrically a melancholic musing on human fallibility, sounds as exuberant and abandoned as Rio Carnival, as does all of this kinetic, irreverent and life-affirming debut.

Read more: http://www.emusic.com/music-news/review/album/mano-de-dios-sleep-through-the-morning-light/#ixzz1p08vM6pg - Ian Gittings, eMusic


"February 2012 Culture Guide"

WHAT: Mano de Dios live
WHEN: February 22 and 24
WHERE: The Cat and Mutton and Brixton Jamm in London
WHY: Headed up by the former boyfriend of Sadie Frost, Jackson Scott, Mano de Dios' sound is gypsy jazz-cum-Ian Drury-cum-Madness. Their upbeat ragtime-inspired music is a little like Marmite, but those not entirely convinced by their sound cannot help but be swayed by their gigs - where you feel as if you're stepping into a very intimate, Bohemian world where the sun is definitely shining and everyone looks like a modern pirate. The band is now promoting their debut album, Sleep Through The Morning Light, and have lined up two London gigs to help spread the word. - Vogue magazine UK


"February 2012 Culture Guide"

WHAT: Mano de Dios live
WHEN: February 22 and 24
WHERE: The Cat and Mutton and Brixton Jamm in London
WHY: Headed up by the former boyfriend of Sadie Frost, Jackson Scott, Mano de Dios' sound is gypsy jazz-cum-Ian Drury-cum-Madness. Their upbeat ragtime-inspired music is a little like Marmite, but those not entirely convinced by their sound cannot help but be swayed by their gigs - where you feel as if you're stepping into a very intimate, Bohemian world where the sun is definitely shining and everyone looks like a modern pirate. The band is now promoting their debut album, Sleep Through The Morning Light, and have lined up two London gigs to help spread the word. - Vogue magazine UK


"Secret Garden Party // Liam Bailey & Mano De Dios Get Wet // 23-25 July 2010"

Mano De Dios with Jackson Scott ~ Gaia Soundscape ~ SGP 2010 ~ Saturday

Now then it’s always very important for a music photojournalist to get as close to the action as possible and it was a joy too to remember my salsa moves but the off-stage action was kinda fun too and …. wet! But first the music. Formed 2 years ago and comprising of four main members Jimmy Martinez, Sky Murphy, Roberto Ares and Jackson Scott who is also recognised as ex boyfriend of Jude Law’s ex wife Sadie Frost for those that are celeb gossip consumers. Their fast-paced flamenco, ragtime gyspy vibes had the gardeners who had prepared early in their finest dress up to lead a merry dance indeed including the man dressed as a teddy bear who got spanked by a burlesque beauty over the speaker. The moody blue velvet punky ‘Dance with me’ and ‘Obsolete’ with broken gravelly voice, fast paced spanish guitar plucking set the tone for the riotous party that began midset when a bright pink spitfire mutant vehicle laden with topless dancer drove through the crowd and Jackson got a little excited, jumped off the stage to boogie like a mad man, got thrown in the lake and then star jumped his way back onto the stage. Check the pictures, listen to their grooves and party, wildly! Next stop is The Big Chill, get wet!

http://jacksonscottmusic.com/

By Tori Green - www.neverenoughnotes.co.uk


"Mano De Dios on the Lazyland Stage (Big Chill Festival)"

Translating as ‘Hands of God’, London quartet Mano de Dios, fronted by the lovely and charismatic Jackson Scott, formed two years ago and tonight displayed a good sense of humour and actually, a really wonderful hybrid of Latino-punk, gypsy folk and ragtime to a leaping and dancing little crowd of worshippers.

Their between-song banter was sarcastic, playful and engaging, with the crowd left begging for more tracks torwards the end. The songs, both original and covers, were witty and hilarious. One song included the lyric ‘my little creme caramel’.

Alexandra Pereira - www.bigchill.net


"Mano de Dios at Uxbridge High Street festival"

"...Big Fest has two main areas of focus – the main stage outside the Civic Centre at one end of the High Street, and a specially installed dance arena half way down near the Mall Pavilions.

DJ Penny Metal will be hosting events on the main stage, introducing acts including gypsy punk band, Mano De Dios, who created quite a stir at Glastonbury..." - Hillingdon & Uxbridge Times


"Glasto Glam"

It's a long way from Somerset to Manhattan but, this week, Mulberry hosted a party in New York to celebrate the release of Venetia Dearden's book, Glastonbury: Another Stage. When the brand first saw Dearden's images of the festival's colourful patrons, it decided to publish the book itself.

Olivia Palermo, Leigh Lezark, Alek Wek, Lakshmi Menon and Irina Lazareanu were among the Mulberry-clad guests who took in performances by Brooklyn electronic group Chairlift, Spanish guitar from Mano de Dios, and a closing set from Kelis. - www.vogue.com


"Mulberry's Glasto Warm-Up Party"

England's Glastonbury Festival celebrates its 40th birthday this year, and as per usual, thousands of people will be making the pilgrimage to the muddy fields of Somerset in southern England to take in its incomparably freewheeling music scene. Venetia Dearden, however, will not be among them. For the past six years, the Somerset-born photog has been shooting Glasto-goers at her studio on-site, and now that she's compiled the images in her new book Glastonbury—Another Stage, Dearden figures it's time to move on. "I've been going to Glasto off and on since I was eight," she explained at last night's party celebrating the new tome at the Milk Studios penthouse. "I worked there, I had mad times with friends there, I shot inside a waterlogged tepee. I think I've done it."

Dearden wasn't the only native at the bash. Party host Mulberry, which sponsored the publication of Glastonbury, was also born in Somerset, just a year after the festival kicked off. And at Milk, the brand had imported the Glasto experience to the Meatpacking District—minus the famous mud, that is. Mano de Dios, Chairlift, and Kelis put on mini-concerts for the likes of Agyness Deyn, Leigh Lezark, and Chanel Iman. "You have to go to Glastonbury at least once," admonished Mulberry creative director Emma Hill, who's been three times. "Get those wellies out. You'll have the time of your life." - www.style.com


"LOVEBOX 2010: Playing the Cuervo Street Fiesta stage on Saturday."

Jackson Scott’s band Mano de Dios started out in 2007 as a rugged blend of flamenco, punk, rumba and samba. More recently they have been described as playing ‘a vibrant upbeat mix of Spanish Rumba and Gypsy swing... up-tempo musical anarchy of the highest order’. They are often talked of as the ‘Indie Gypsy Kings’ or the ‘Spanish Pogues’. - www.lovebox.net


"Women who dress their men"

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/men/article4789479.ece

THE BOYFRIEND AND GIRLFRIEND

Ben Grimes, 23, model and designer for LPBG

I was totally attracted to Jackson and his clothes. I think he’s a great dresser and looks hot in what he wears. He does a lot of suits, which should be smart, but he never is because he has a sort of scruffy charm about him, which I adore: his dress sense is just like his personality. So I picked out a suit, because he looks really good in them, with the shirt open at the neck. Generally, I like what’s in his wardrobe, but there is one coat that I don’t like: a shaggy, sheepy, 1970s thing. It has disappeared now. I really want him to start wearing patent dress shoes, not winkle-pickers, because I do like a man in proper shoes. We go shopping together, mainly to vintage stores, such as Absolute Vintage or Beyond Retro. He’ll go to the men’s corner and look at suits and I’ll look at dresses in the other. Jackson likes what I’ve done with my label — he’s really proud. He helps me get dressed more than I dress him, to be honest, so if I’m ever badly dressed, it’s probably his fault.

Jackson Scott, 27, front man of the band Mano de Dios

I usually dress with a Darjeeling Limited sort of vibe: old suits and neckerchiefs. I like how people used to dress in the 1920s. My favourite outfit is a suit by Jonathan Quearney, a tailor in Soho who’s also a friend. What Ben has picked out is lovely. It’s crispy and new-looking, which is always nice. I like Richard James, a Savile Row tailor, and Paul Smith, who is also fantastic. mano-de-dios.com

- The Sunday Times


"Catch him live: Musician Jackson Scott"



Besides being famous for being Sadie Frost's former toyboy and a heart-throb, Jackson Scott is also a talented musician, channelling his Spanish upbringing through his flamenco-esque guitar playing and singing.

For the next three weeks, you can catch Jackson and his band, Mano de Dios, at The George Tavern, East London, every Thursday. The band's musical style is an eclectic and rugged mix of flamenco, punk, rumba and samba.

Mano de Dios at The George Tavern, 373 Commercial Road, London E1 0LA, doors open at 8pm, tickets ?5 on the door or ?4 booked online at www.wegottickets.com

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/fashion/article-1086378/FASHION-NEWS-Two-favourite-things-combined--shopping-chocolate.html
- The Daily Mail


"Mano de Dios at Power's Acoustic Room"

OK get this... it's indie, but it's not retro. Okay, flamenco's pretty old, but it has never "stopped happening" so to speak, unlike the influences responsible for most modern indie time machines. Mano de Dios have instead built a transporter to another world: a tribal, tropical island paradise where people dance on the beach 24 hours a day, throwing tequila onto a huge bonfire and getting laid every twelve minutes. It's refreshing to see a band wrestling a vibrant, classically based genre from the hands of theme clubs and carrying it lovingly and authentically into the welcoming arms of middle Britain.

The atmosphere is insular yet friendly and the venue intimately bustles with anticipation. The band displays a heart-warming level of comradery that they readily share with their fans. Relentlessly tight, and never short of encouraging smiles for each other, even into the several encores demanded by their increasingly heated audience. Like with most Latino ensembles, you have to witness the irresistible, body-popping swing of their live act to really hear them shine. A crowd soon forms, as swathes of effervescent patrons soon flock to the front of the stage in pairs, writhing helplessly to the sound of sweaty Mediterranean sex.

Their principal hook seems to be Jackson Scott's distinctive singing voice. It's a voice that improves with each listen. When you first hear their records, it seems uncompromisingly nasal, the kind of voice that you feel sure will grate on you after a while, but instead you notice an endearing humanity to it; a certain kind of effortless smoothness. He doesn't sound like he's trying to sing, he sounds like he's speaking in a way that happens to be melodic. I know it's a deadly faux-pas to compare anyone to Bob Dylan, but in vocal terms he's dead on the money (for want of a less ironic phrase. Most semi-professional musicians will know what I mean by that.)

All in all, yes. It's upbeat, passionate, life-affirming and above all, quirk-free. This is exactly what the indie scene needs if it plans on growing a set of cojones any time soon. You saw what happened when it got hold of ska - and those shenanigans are still going on to this day. Although I won't lie to you, it does get samey after a while. But this is only the beginning. If they can branch their sound out then the possibilities are endless. See, genres are like genes. The more we mix them up, the healthier and smarter everyone becomes, and the closer we get to a united, coffee-coloured utopia. But not in a Nietzschean sense. No angry letters please.

By Mike Stephenson, 29/03/08 - www.spoonfed.co.uk


"Mano De Dios"

Precociously talented singer and guitarist Jackson Scott leads Mano de Dios, a London based Latin rock troupe with a knack for a rhythm that will have your feet a-tapping.

Their fusion of flamenco, punk, rumba and samba recalls The Pogues, Tom Waits and Nick Cave, while retaining a blazing Latino aesthetic that sets them apart from their peers.

Live, their performance distils their close-knit spirit perfectly, with a sound that will appeal to world music buffs and indie snobs alike.

http://www.spoonfed.co.uk/artist/manodedios_livemusic - www.spoonfed.co.uk


Discography

Mano de Dios 'Sleep through the morning light' Album (2012)

1.Blue eyes
2.Why do we do it?
3.Sleep through the morning light
4.All roads lead back home
5.Mandinga
6.Shadows in my mind
7.Lo quiere todo
8.Up so late
9.Lay your head down
10.Need some light
11.Creme caramel
12. Why do we do it (alt)

Mano de Dios Promo CD for May Single Release / Album (2011)

1. Why Do We Do It? (Single)
2. Blue Eyes (B-side)
3. Mandinga (B-side)
4. Lay Your Head Down (Album preview track)
5. Crème Caramel
6. Why Do We Do It? (Alt)

Mano de Dios EP (2009)

1. Blue Eyes (Jackson Scott & Mano de Dios)
2. Bei mir bist du schön (Jacobs and Secunda)
3. Need Some Light (Jackson Scott & Mano de Dios)
4. Green Eyes (Jackson Scott & Mano de Dios)
5. Volveras (Jackson Scott & Mano de Dios)

Mano de Dios EP (2008) - available on itunes

1. Volveras (Roberto Ares & Mano de Dios)
2. Dance with Me (Jackson Scott & Mano de Dios)
3. Bei mir bist du schön (Jacobs and Secunda)
4. Up so Late (Jackson Scott & Mano de Dios)

Photos

Bio

Jackson Scott has played guitar since he could stand upright. His passion for flamenco and gypsy music was inspired by his upbringing near Seville and travels through India. In 2007 he met Cuban bass player Jimmy Martinez and Roberto Ares, who had recently returned from studying percussion in Brazil. Together they formed ‘Mano de Dios’ - a pun on Maradona’s famous excuse – joined later by Sky Murphy, playing guitar and trombone. The result is a rugged blend of flamenco, punk, blues, rumba and samba. They have been described as ‘The Spanish Pogues’ and the ‘Indie Gypsy Kings’.

In 2008, Mano recorded their first EP with Queen producer, Josh Macrae. Picked up later, by legendary producer Youth, their new recordings see them moving in a more ‘gypsy punk’ direction. Eclectic by nature, Mano have played everywhere from The Secret Garden Party and Glastonbury to the Guggenheim museum. They have supported Roxy Music, The Peth, Shaggy and The Clash’s Mick Jones.

PRESS RELEASE:

Jackson Scott’s ‘Mano de Dios’ release their new gypsy punk single produced by Youth.

Flamenco guitarist, Jackson Scott’s latino crossover band, Mano de Dios, will release ‘Why do we do it?’ / ‘Blue Eyes’, digitally and as a Limited Edition 7”, on 9th May. A free download track will also be available via the website. The debut album is scheduled for release in the second half of 2011.

Mano de Dios have been a stalwart on the UK festival circuit over the last 2 years and have earned a reputation for show stopping performances. This brought them to the attention of Youth who was keen to capture this energy in the studio. What Rick Rubin has done for Gogol Bordello in the US, Youth is doing for Mano de Dios in the UK.

Youth, one time bassist of Killing Joke, has produced an eclectic mix of acts ranging from Siouxsie and the Banshees to The Futureheads and the Orb to the Verve. The diversity of his work resembles the assorted make-up of Mano de Dios. Bassist, Jimmy Martinez is Cuban and drummer Roberto Ares perfected his craft in Brazil. Together they build a tight yet playful rhythm platform that allows Celtic guitarist and trombonist, Sky, to duet mischievously with Spanish born front man, Jackson Scott. As the main songwriter, Scott’s colourful reputation seems justly deserved. His compositions swing between the obscure and the oppressed, the cryptic and the downright crazy, with a nasal vocal that recalls Tom Waits. ‘Why do we do it?’ a young man’s lament - learning to ‘turn the page’ too early, and last year’s festival anthem ‘Blue Eyes’, complement each others’ two-step rhythms well. The hotly anticipated album also contains rumbas, paso dobles and other Spanish language songs.

Youth said: “Jackson’s band is an anarchic gang of errant gypsy playboys. They are infectious live and that’s what we’ve been trying to capture. Their on stage chemistry and madness reminds me of the days when musicians had attitude as well as aptitude.”

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SELECT PRESS:

“Precociously talented singer and guitarist Jackson Scott leads Mano de Dios. Their fusion of flamenco, punk, rumba and samba recalls The Pogues, Tom Waits and Nick Cave, while retaining a
blazing Latino aesthetic that sets them apart from their peers.” www.spoonfed.co.uk

“...introducing acts including gypsy punk band, Mano De Dios, who created quite a stir at Glastonbury.” Hillingdon and Uxbridge Times

“...sarcastic, playful and engaging, with the crowd left begging for more.” www.bigchill.net

“....an eclectic and rugged mix of flamenco, punk, rumba and samba” The Daily Mail

“Mano de Dios, Chairlift, and Kelis put on mini-concerts for the likes of Agyness Deyn, Leigh Lezark, and Chanel Iman” www.style.com

“...they cause irresistible movements in your limbs, rather like having some red dancing shoes on.” www.thomasinamiers.com

“Their fast-paced flamenco, ragtime gyspy vibes had the gardeners...lead a merry dance” www.neverenoughnotes.co.uk