Francis Mann

Francis Mann,
was one of the founder members of one of the most successful Portuguese Rock Band, "Xutos e Pontapés", having participated on this band's first album "78-82", and on the two previous singles released by the band. After leaving Xutos, Francis Mann went on to pursue a solo career, embracing the instrumental prog-post-rock alternative music scenario.
"Stilleto" was his first solo achievement, and it is an album credited for its good musicianship and especially for the beautiful melodies it unfolds.
Accompanied by other well-known Portuguese artists such as Jorge Palma, Tó Pinheiro (Banda do Casaco, Perspectiva), Nanã Sousa Dias, Guilherme Inês (José Cid, Fausto) and Zé Nabo (José Cid), Francis accomplished a very symphonic prog-rock oriented instrumental sound. The tracks are not only aesthetically beautiful, but they are melodically rich. Instrumentally, this album is flawless and a relaxing, calm and insightful voyage.
"Rota dos Ventos" (Winds Route) was his second solo album, an even more elaborated work where, again, he had the collaboration of some of the most influential musicians of the Portuguese scene, like Zé Nabo, Edgar Caramelo¸ Emanuel Ramalho and Carlos Bechegas, among others. The outcome was this progressive rock introspective work, acclaimed as some of the finest crafted instrumental music, populated with beautiful melodies.
Over the years Francis Mann collaborated with other musicians, from Sétima Legião to Jorge Palma and Diva, and a few other smaller venues, as a musician and as a producer.
"The Last Prophecy", his third instrumental album, is a concept work where Francis Mann approaches some of humanity's most hidden secrets, inspiring each instrumental song on a different subject, all linked together as different acts of a major play, a play that carries the listener through an emotionally rich journey. This album dwells on the prog-post-rock scenario, from beautiful melodies (Lacrima) to more elaborated prog oriented feels (The Power of the Elements).
His first two long playing instrumental albums were re-released by EMI on May 2013, remastered from the original tapes, now available worldwide.
Between October 2013 and August 2015 Francis was totally dedicated to writing and producing “OM", his new brilliant album released worldwide in October 2015.
"The OM album is probably the best music I ever created", says Francis.
On this album he called on some of his most talented musician friends, and Jorge Palma (piano), Tomás Pimentel (flugelhorn), Luis Simas (synth), Tó Pinheiro da Silva (flutes) and Nanã Sousa Dias (sax) came to join their musical excellency to Francis Mann's music, achieving an ambitious album, plenty of strong ambiances, beautiful soundscapes and powerful melodies.