Manu Katché – The Scope (Anteprima Productions, 2019)
French drummer, singer, songwriter and composer explores various genres on his ninth album, The Scope. The biggest innovation on The Scope is the addition of various forms of electronica.
The highlights include the superb opening instrumental piece, “Keep Connexion,” where jazz fusion meets funk and West African kora; “Glow,” a track where soulful male and female vocals combine funk jazz with chamber strings; “Overlooking,” a piece where jazz fusion meets chilled electronica and Latin jazz; the exquisite and mesmerizing trip hop meets funk jazz song “Please Do”; the song “Don’t U Worry” where rock, edgy electronica and neosoul are intertwined; and the bluesy “Goodbye For Now.”
On the downside, the prerequisite, annoying hip hop song and a cheesy electropop bonus track.
The lineup includes Jerome Regard on bass; Manu Katché on drums and vocals; Patrick Manouguian on guitar; and Jim Henderson on keyboards and programming.
Guests include Jim Grandcamp on guitar; Kandia Kouyaté on kora; Faada Freddy on vocals; Jazzy Bazz on vocals; Jonatha Brooke on vocals; Frédéric Kret on cello; Michael Nguyen on viola; Hugues Borsarello on violin; Kayla Galland on vocals; and Alexandre Tassel on flugelhorn.