"Masque" is the thirteenth studio album by Manfred Mann's Earth Band, released in 1987 on Virgin Records. Subtitled Songs And Planets, the album incorporates elements from Gustav Holst's Planets Suite and represents the culmination of a project that the band had originally started in 1973 but was unable to complete due to permissions issues with Holst's estate.
The opening track, a re-recording of "Joybringer," revisits the hit from 1973 but features a different arrangement and an altered structure. The album also includes jazz influences, with collages that blend "Billie's Bounce" with "Sister Sadie" and "Ornithology." Notably, the track "We're Going Wrong" is a cover of a song by Cream, while "Telegram to Monica" marks the third collaboration with songwriter Denny Newman, who sings it.
Despite its ambitious concept, Masque was the last album to be released under the Earth Band name until it was revived in 1991. The album reflects a blend of progressive rock and jazz, showcasing the band's evolving sound during this period.
