Children of the revolution

Don't mention global warming, it's over-the-top, it's a clichŽ." These words of caution were recently bestowed on Shaikh Hassan bin Rashed Al Khalifa, otherwise known as Shake, the lead singer of acclaimed band Manakin.

A week after the hugely successful London launch party for his second album, In the Desert, Shake is thoughtful. Rock music isn't all about being an iconoclast. Being a successful rock star, like being a member of the Royal Family, comes with a level of responsibility.

"I thought, 'global warming is a clichŽ'?" says Shake, eyebrows raised in disbelief over his shades.

"I said have you seen what is happening to the world? We can't say enough about global warming. It's something that is going to affect everybody, whether you're the richest or the poorest country in the world.

"Any musician, any artist has the power to do something."

The title of the album takes its name from a compelling song full of textured guitar riffs, and Shake's formidable vocals which speak of trying to escape a world ravaged by global warming.

A charismatic Arab prince, an environmental message and an intelligent, rich, foot-pounding album seem a heady mixture, and, one that is sure to be well-received.

When In the Desert is internationally released in May it is likely to stir up a media frenzy.

At the album's launch party in an East London club, the bouncers were holding people back, every booking agent from Pinnacle to Primary showed up - and each one of them called up the band's manager the next day.

"When we came off stage the crowd were shouting for more. I said to the guys I told you they want more, but the golden rule is to leave them wanting more. If you want more, book us," says Shake.

Shake and his band, previously known as Brothermandude have been hotly tipped as the region's musical hope.

Their last album was picked up by EMI, they've played with the likes of Starsailor, toured the UK, US and South Africa and were backed by ex-Wham manager Simon Napier Bell.

But Shake sees his music as a small part of an artistic and cultural revolution taking place in the region. "We're going through a sort of 60s revolution," he reasons. "Musically and culturally we are waking up and there are a lot more people doing new things and experimenting. For me it was music, for others it was arts, writing novels, doing something completely different. "There's a lot of talent coming out of the Arab world. If you keep moving and working you can be a small part of a huge movement that is promoting change."

He says that change is happening specifically in Bahrain where a musical renaissance of sorts is taking place, and, in the process changing some of misconceptions people have about the region.

"There are people in Bahrain who are involved in music and trying to change the world through music. One of the best studios in the Middle East, if not the world, 2Seas, is here. If artists are lucky enough to be in this part of the world they have the opportunity to go and record there," he says.

And Shake is helping to place Bahrain firmly on the musical map.

In the Desert was written in Bahrain and recorded in London. If there is a band that can straddle the Middle Eastern and Western music markets, it is Manakin.

Drummer Ian Markin, bass guitarist Russell Milton, and new guitarist Charlie Casey, all from the UK, harness a wide diversity of talents; gliding between genres creating a sound that combined with Shake's soulful vocals has generated a fiercely loyal following in both the Gulf and the UK.

The new album offers even more of a cultural cross-over in the form of a 10-minute "epic" in Arabic - a first for Shake.

"It's my first song in Arabic. I didn't think about it, it just came out. I've never done anything like it, but people have loved it," he says.

The evolved sound of the album is characteristic of the band's progression.

"After all the years, this is what I've always wanted to write," explains Shake. "I'm proudest of this album; it's the best thing I have ever written. I am in the best space; our band is the best line-up. I think we've put ourselves in a position to have a lot of fun and hopefully a lot of success."

Last year saw the band change its name to more appropriately reflect their music. Shake explains: "I loved the name Brothermandude but I started the band in college when it was a lot a more funk - the more it moved to rock, the more the name didn't fit. Manakin was the deepest song on the last album so we changed it."

The past 12 months have also seen a change in the approach of the band's management.

Shake explains that while there was a lot of hype surrounding the last album and a massive PR company behind them, in the long-term, not enough came out of it.

"Last time we had a great record but we didn't manage it well or promote it well. This time we have the experience and our new management is much more grassroots," he says.

This grassroots approach dovetails with Manakin's grassroots following. Fervently loyal fans are spreading their music through the internet, and because Manakin's story is the stuff of rock fables, the band may well spearhead the region's musical revolution.

"I hope I can influence younger bands or artists in the region, so they say he's done it, so I can too, and I can do it better," says Shake.

The charming, eloquent, articulate and immensely talented Shake and the rest of Manakin also make for entertaining viewing.

A 20-minute-long documentary that follows the band's 2007 tour from London to Bahrain to Swaziland and South Africa will accompany the new album and can be watched on their myspace website.

Shake has written a compelling album, which while being unashamedly rock-fuelled and fun, is also environmentally responsible. The rest Shake says is up to the stars.

"Now it's out there, we've done it, and hopefully the stars will align for us to make it rock," he says.

Manakin will play BJs on April 4, and Bahrain Radio, Shake promises will be the first to receive the new album. To hear some of the tracks from the new album or watch the documentary visit www.myspace.com/manakinspace