In the annals of rock history, few guitarists have had a journey as wild and unpredictable as Phil Manzanera. From his childhood in revolutionary Cuba to his avant-garde explorations with Roxy Music and an unlikely hip-hop windfall, Manzanera’s 50-year career is a kaleidoscopic adventure in sound.
Cuban Roots and Pirate Lineage
Born into a family with a fascinating past – his father was possibly a spy, and he recently discovered he’s descended from a famous 17th-century Jewish pirate – Manzanera spent his early years in Havana. There, he absorbed the infectious grooves of Cuban music, an influence that would later resurface in his work.
According to Manzanera, “The first music I learned to play was boleros and all that type of thing, the acoustic music people later heard on Buena Vista Social Club. Cuban music had a groove that was so much part of social and cultural life.”
Art-Rock Experiments with Roxy Music
In 1971, Manzanera answered an intriguing ad in Melody Maker magazine posted by an “avant-rock group” seeking a guitarist. That group turned out to be Roxy Music, and Manzanera soon found himself part of a groundbreaking art-rock collective.
I was just a puppet in this sort of art project, which I’m very proud to have been.
Phil Manzanera on his role in Roxy Music
While Cuban influences were initially downplayed – “In Roxy, they were a bit older than me. I just wanted to learn and get on with it.” – Manzanera eventually found ways to subtly incorporate Latin rhythms into the band’s music.
Solo Explorations and Hip-Hop Sampling
Away from Roxy Music, Manzanera embarked on a series of adventurous solo projects that openly embraced his South American roots. Albums like Diamond Head, Southern Cross, and Vozero saw him delving deep into Latin American musical traditions.
Surprisingly, it was one of these solo efforts that led to an unexpected windfall decades later. In 2011, hip-hop superstars Jay-Z and Kanye West sampled the title track from Manzanera’s 1978 album K-Scope on their hit “No Church in the Wild.”
It was like an act of God, like there’s somebody up there saying ‘good karma – stay in your lane, be nice to people, just chill out and things will happen’.
Manzanera on the surprise success of the “K-Scope” sample
Coming Full Circle
Now, as he releases a career-spanning box set, 50 Years of Music, and reunites with Roxy Music bandmates Andy MacKay and Paul Thompson for a new “avant-rock” project, Manzanera reflects on his incredible journey.
“It’s come full circle,” he muses. “We’re back in the experimentation business.” For an artist who’s always followed his muse, no matter where it leads, that seems like the perfect place to be.
