Better known for his work with the likes of Sting, Peter Gabriel and Joni Mitchell, drummer Manu Katche’ has also released a handful of impressive solo sessions on his own. This one has him behind the reins with a team of Nils Petter Molvaer/tp, Tore Brunborg/ts-ss and Jim Watson/B3-p, and once again he writes all of the material. What is always surprising about Katche’s music is how lyrical, melodious and almost understated the songs are composed, as well as performed. Molvaer’s trumpet is either gently blowing or Harmon muted, and it works well with the gracious keyboard work of Watson on pieces like the concise ”Bliss,” “Loving You” and “Short Ride.” Katche’s drum work is like the best of the NFL referees’: you don’t notice it until you realized that everything went along without a hitch. Even the more assertive “Beats and Bounce” never loses control on this disc which begs to someone put actual lyrics to half of the material
ECM Records