MANU KATCHÉ — Neighbourhood (review)

MANU KATCHÉ — Neighbourhood album cover Album · 2005 · Post Bop Buy this album from MMA partners
5/5 ·
Steve Wyzard
Album of the Year 2005!

Surprise! This is not only one of the greatest jazz albums of the first decade of the 21st century, but also one of the most archetypal ECM albums ever made. Yes, it really is that good! But wait, the naysayers insist, it's not over-the-top intense or in-your-face. True, but Manu Katche's Neighbourhood is an exquisite, pristine example of the late-night/winter afternoon chamber jazz that has enthralled ECM listeners for 4-1/2 decades. Thought-provoking? You bet!

Trumpeter Tomasz Stanko is billed first, and he almost steals the whole album. He adds dissonances to songs such as "Lullaby" and "Lovely Walk", a "Milestones"-ish riff to "Take Off and Land", and a mournful line to the haunted impressionism of "February Sun" (a perfect ECM title). But the duets with Jan Garbarek are what really stand out, particularly on "Good Influence". Garbarek and his distinctive tones only appear on 5 tracks, but they are all among the album's best. It's easy to take the excellent pianism of Marcin Wasilewski for granted: this is the perfect medium for his work. Double-bassist Slawomir Kurkiewicz provides the melody line on the trio number "November 99", and drives the uptempo "Number One". As for the "leader", Manu Katche is content not to dominate the proceedings - the closest he comes to a solo is in the center section of "Lovely Walk". Make no mistake, this is not a typical drummer-as-leader album. But listen to his cymbal work and rimshots throughout, even when it sounds like not much is happening - pure magic! Highly recommended!
Share this review
more

Review Comments

Post a public comment below | Send private message to the reviewer
Please login to post a shout
No shouts posted yet. Be the first member to do so above!

Review Index

Member Zone

Username:
Password:
Stay signed in

Jazz Subgenres

Artists Alpha-index

JMA TOP 5 Jazz ALBUMS

Rating by members, ranked by custom algorithm
Albums with 30 ratings and more
A Love Supreme Post Bop
JOHN COLTRANE
Buy this album from our partners
Kind of Blue Cool Jazz
MILES DAVIS
Buy this album from our partners
The Black Saint and the Sinner Lady Progressive Big Band
CHARLES MINGUS
Buy this album from our partners
Blue Train Hard Bop
JOHN COLTRANE
Buy this album from our partners
My Favorite Things Hard Bop
JOHN COLTRANE
Buy this album from our partners

New Jazz Artists

New Jazz Releases

Mikolaj Trzaska, Ingebrigt Haker Flaten, Paal Nilssen-Love : The Last Temple vol.3 Avant-Garde Jazz
MIKOŁAJ TRZASKA
Buy this album from MMA partners
Mikolaj Trzaska, Ingebrigt Haker Flaten, Paal Nilssen-Love : The Last Temple, Vol.1 Avant-Garde Jazz
MIKOŁAJ TRZASKA
Buy this album from MMA partners
Mikołaj Trzaska / Ingebrigt Håker Flaten / Paal Nilssen-Love : The Last Temple Vol.2 Avant-Garde Jazz
MIKOŁAJ TRZASKA
Buy this album from MMA partners
Sustain Avant-Garde Jazz
AALY TRIO
Buy this album from MMA partners
Sunset Park Post Bop
TOBIAS MEINHART
Buy this album from MMA partners
More new releases

New Jazz Online Videos

FASCINATING RHYTHM - The Amazing Keystone Big Band feat. Neima Naouri
THE AMAZING KEYSTONE BIG BAND
snobb· 1 day ago
Alicante
RENAUD GARCIA-FONS
js· 1 day ago
She's Forty with Me
WILTON CRAWLEY
js· 1 day ago
Tall Tillie's Too Tight
WILTON CRAWLEY
js· 1 day ago
Rhoda Scott Ladies and Gentlemen - special guest : David Linx
RHODA SCOTT
snobb· 1 day ago
More videos

New JMA Jazz Forum Topics

More in the forums

New Site interactions

More...

Latest Jazz News

members-submitted

More in the forums

Social Media

Follow us
Follow us on Twitter Become a Facebook fan RSS Feed