Record Reviews

MANU KATCHÉ ~ THIRD ROUND ECM 2156 (Barcode: 602527321318) ~ FRANCE ~ Jazz Recorded: 2009 Released: 2010 This is the third album for ECMFind albums on this label by French (born in Ivory Coast) drummer / composer Manu KatchéFind albums by this artist, recorded with a quartet, which features saxophonist Tore BrunborgFind albums by this artist, keyboardist Jason RebelloFind albums by this artist and bassist Pino PalladinoFind albums by this artist and two additional musicians participating on selected tracks: guitarist Jacob YoungFind albums by this artist and female vocalist / trumpeter Kami LyleFind albums by this artist. The album comprises of eleven original compositions, all by Katché, one of which also includes lyrics, written by Lyle. It is pretty obvious from the very first instant of this album that it presents a new concept, different from the two preceding albums, being completely "song" / melody oriented and only marginally Jazzy per se. The eleven tracks are all quite short (around four minutes in duration), very melodic and with limited space for improvisation. I´d speculate that this is probably the most "easy listening" album ever recorded for ECM. But apart from the fact that this is not a Jazz album, all the other aspects of this recording are all positive: the melodies are excellent, the execution perfect and completely professional, as is the usual ECM sound quality. Therefore this album simply should not be judged by the "usual" standards of hard core Jazz and with a little open-mindedness this is a very enjoyable piece of music, which delivers exactly what it aims to do: musical joy and fun!

CD 1 Slipcase Recommend To A Friend

LAW ~ THE LAW (DELUXE EDITION) FRIDAY MUSIC 1062 (Barcode: 829421106227) ~ UK ~ Classic Rock Recorded: 1991 Released: 2008 This is a reissue of the only album by the short-lived British Rock group The LawFind albums by this artist, co-led by vocalist / songwriter Paul RodgersFind albums by this artist and drummer Kenney JonesFind albums by this artist. The lineup included studio musicians, like guitarists Jim BarberFind albums by this artist and John StaehelyFind albums by this artist, bassists Pino PalladinoFind albums by this artist and George HawkinsFind albums by this artist and keyboardists Steve PigottFind albums by this artist and Jon AstleyFind albums by this artist, as well as many guest musicians like Bryan AdamsFind albums by this artist, David GilmourFind albums by this artist and Chris ReaFind albums by this artist. The original album presents eleven tracks and this edition adds one bonus track. Four of the tracks (including the bonus) are Rogers originals and the rest are by other songwriters. At the time of its release the album received very little attention and the band never really took off, but in retrospect it is a pretty nice collection of great Rock / Blues-Rock songs and Rogers’ vocals are absolutely sensational, as on every album he ever recorded. Overall, this is an almost forgotten chapter in Rogers’ brilliant career, which is worth remembering, although the album is quite difficult to get a hold of these days. I have had an absolute blast listening to it again, which is hardly surprising as I have always considered Rogers to be one of the greatest British Rock vocalists of all time.

Updated: 24/01/2024Posted: 24/01/2024

CD 1 Remastered Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend