MANUEL IMAN
Born in Seville, Spain, Manuel Iman recorded his first album 14 de Abril with the group Goma in 1975, when he was 20 years old. The album was one of the first fusion efforts of the time. The following year, three songs from this album were included in the soundtrack of the film Manuela. In 1976 the group Iman enjoyed growing popularity with its live performances and was signed by CBS to record Iman, Califato Independiente. The critics raved over its innovative and subtle combination of flamenco, rock and Eastern roots. El Pais newspaper called it "... The best first album ever made by a Spanish band...".
Incorporating tropical influences Camino del Aguila was released in 1980. One of Iman's compositions was included in the soundtrack of the French film Frigg force 9. According to the SGAE (Society of Authors of Spain), the song was ranked number 2 for royalties from a foreign country.
The Iman Band is a legendary name in Spanish rock and their recordings were re-released on CD by Museam a French record company in 1991. In 1997 Sony Music Spain re-released Iman's first two albums. Manuel moved to Madrid in 1981, having become a sought-after creative force in the recording industry. He produced, performed and arranged works for artists as varied as Lole & Manuel, Pepe de Lucia, Pata Negra, Kiko Veneno, Ole-Ole, Los del Rio, Remedios Amaya, Emilio Aragon and many more. He also composed and performed music for commercials and documentaries.
In 1985, he formed the pop band La Decada Prodigiosa, covering 60's songs (Emi Hispavox). Enjoying outstanding success, the first albums sold 2.5 million copies. The band toured Spain extensively for five years and appeared on many TV shows.
In 1992 Manuel released a solo album, La Danza del Espacio for Productora Andaluza. Several pieces have been included in compilation records such as: Voices of Europe (Blue Flame, Germany), Nuevas Musicas (SGAE, Spain) and Duende (Ellipsis Art, New York).
He worked on music for the video commissioned by Tele Expo (the TV station created for the 92 World Exhibition) Sevilla entre dos Exposiciones. He also coordinated and directed a large scale tour entitled Rock Andaluz- Ayer y Hoy in which important names from the past and present were brought together. In 1995 Manuel and his family moved to Malibu, California, composing and producing music for video and preparing a new album. He was called back to Spain in 1996 to be Musical Director and composer for El Circo del Arte show, a successful project produced by the show business mogul Emilio Aragon.
In 1997 Manuel returned to the Los Angeles area and has worked as composer and arranger for video projects for Dunrite Productions. He has contributed his music to several compilation albums released by Domo Records: Reflections, Music for the Spirit, (on which he shares a track with Kitaro), as well as producing 2 solo instrumental albums Songs From a Grateful Heart and Flowers in the Desert released by a new record company EverSound. Manuel continues to contribute to various instrumental compilation albums produced by EverSound including Expressions and Tidings of Joy.
His most recent work, LEGACY, was released in November 2000 by CollaborationWorks. An eclectic, innovative fusion album LEGACY is based on traditional Indian love songs transformed into one of a kind sounds by blending - Mississippi blues, reggae, flamenco, spoken word, Brazilian and African rhythms and more to create a stunning composition of true World Music. With lyrics in Hindi and English this album seamlessly bridges the distinctive worlds of east and west.
Manuel Iman
1 Band and Solo Albums
*Manuel Iman - Legacy (CollaborationWorks) 2000
*Manuel Iman - Flowers in the Desert (EverSound) 1998
*Manuel Iman - Songs from a Grateful Heart (Visions) 1998
*Manuel Iman - La Danza del Espacio (Aspa Records) 1992
*La Decada Prodigiosa - La Decada Prodigiosa Live Double Album (EMI Hispavox) 1990
*La Decada Prodigiosa - La Deacada Prodigiosa 4 (EMI Hispavox) 1989
*La Decada Prodigiosa - La Decada Prodigiosa 3 (EMI Hispavox) 1988
*La Decada Prodigiosa - La Decada Prodigiosa 2 (EMI Hispavox) 1987
*La Decada Prodigiosa - La Decada Prodigiosa 1 (EMI Hispavox) 1986
*Iman Band - Camino del Aguila (Sony Music) 1980
*Iman Band - Califato Independiente (Sony Music) 1978
*Goma Band - 14 de Abril (Moviplay) 1975
Compilations
*Tidings of Joy (EverSound) 1999
*Expressions (EverSound) 1999
*Music for the Spirit (Domo Records) 1998
*Reflections (Domo Records) 1997
*Duende (Ellypsis Arts) 1993
*Voices of Europe (Blue Flame) 1992
Recent collaborations
*Above the Clouds Nigel Holton (EverSound) 1999
*Silent Longing Stuart Hoffman (EverSound) 1998
*Live in Long Beach (Visions International) 1997
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