Third Round is the third ECM release from French/African drum virtuoso Mano Katche. On this breezy, groove-laden and jazzy affair, he has surrounded himself with a very capable cast of musicians, namely, Tore Brunborg (sax), Jason Rebello (acoustic & electric piano), Pino Palladino (bass), Jacob Young (guitar), and Kami Lyle (vocals, trumpet). Those who cherished the previous releases Neighborhood and Playground will no doubt find plenty to like about Third Round.
Don't expect flashy drum fills or bombast with Third Round, as that's not what Katche is all about. Though he's no doubt an expert craftsman, it's more about his sense of restraint and taste when it comes to his drumming, and how that complements these wonderfully melodic pieces. Case in point, the elegant "Springtime Dancing", with Katche's impressive cymbal work perfectly embellishing Rebello's gorgeous piano lines and Brunborg's soul searching sax cries, or the drummer's deep grooves on the tight jazz-funk of "Shine and Blue", a piece with some wonderfully complex playing from the group. There's a good mix of slower, moody jazz pieces with the more uptempo numbers, so there's plenty of variety for the genre lover. Some of the numbers that feature Young are very worthwhile, most notably "Keep On Trippin' " and "Flower Skin", where his silky smooth guitar lines weave around Manu's intricate drum work and the soothing sax & piano melodies from Brunborg & Rebello.
In the end, Manu Katche has put together another winner with Third Round, a release that will certainly please his fans and add even more depth to the already impressive ECM catalog.
Track Listing
- Swing Piece
- Keep on Trippin'
- Senses
- Being Ben
- Une Larme Dans Ton Sourire
- Springtime Dancing
- Out Take Number 9
- Shine and Blue
- Stay With You
- Flower Skin
- Urban Shadow
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