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Manu Katche: the scOpe
ByManu Katche
drumsb.1958
Katché entered the Paris Conservatory as a pianist but switched to percussion as his studies progressed; his mature style eventually incorporated his French and African roots into this classical training. the scOpe emphasizes the melodic nature, alongside the rhythmic and percussive nature, of Katché's unique drum style. "I have built the tracks around the drums, and it is no wonder I've always played that instrumentmy Dad's from the Ivory Coast," he suggests.
the ScOpe features more songs with vocals than often found on a drummer's project. A beautiful ode to peace and love titled "Let Love Rule" co-written and performed with singer-songwriter

Jonatha Brooke
vocalsBut there's no shortage of other beautiful music here. Katché polishes the repetitive groove of "Glow" until it shines, and its old-school soul strings in a space-age feel make the production somehow feel both full and full of empty space. He steers the straightforward beat "Please Do" toward but not quite into trip-hop, splashing his cymbals for maximum rhythmic effect.
Tuned percussion simultaneously plays the melody and rhythm that reveals the industrial-strength instrumental melancholy of "Goodbye For Now" to close this set in soft, reflective notes and tones. The electric rock, house and disco of "Tricky 98': Le Match de legend," recapturing a single he released in late 2018, feels tacked onto the end.
the scOpe illustrates that Manu Katché is more than

Peter Gabriel
vocalsb.1950

Sting
bass, electricb.1951

Joni Mitchell
vocalsb.1943
Track Listing
Keep Connexion; Glow; Vice; Overlooking; Please Do; Paris Me Mange; Let Love Rule; Don't U Worry; Goodbye For Now; Tricky 98’: Le Match de légend.
Personnel
Manu Katche
drumsManu Katché: drums, percussion, vocals; Jim Grandcamp: guitar; Kandia Kouyaté: kora; Frédéric Kret: cello; Michael Nguyen: viola; Hugues Borsarello: violin; Kayla Galland: vocals; Faada Freddy: vocals; Jazzy Bazz: vocals; Alexandre Tassel: flugelhorn; Jonatha Brooke: vocals.
Album information
Title: the scOpe | Year Released: 2019 | Record Label: Self Produced
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