Neighbourhood

A technically precise, dynamically acute and rhythmically inventive player, Katche is joined by trumpeter Tomasz Stanko, saxophonist Jan Garbarek, pianist Marcin Wasilewski and bassist Slawomir Kurkiewicz. All play superbly. They interpret the deceptively simple, emotionally wide-ranging material with the sort of unforced power that speaks of the essence of things, whether this be in the opening and closing reveries of "November 99" and "Rose" or flowing, deliciously unfolding groove of "Number One"; the poised meditation that is "Lullaby", the finger-clicking, funky fun of "Take Off" or the cooking blues figures of "Miles".

Pianist Wasilewski (like bassist Kurkiewicz, drawn from fellow Pole Tomasz Stanko's current quartet) continues to impress as a player of both exquisite touch and freshly turned rhythmic drive, while Stanko probes, floats and (occasionally) flares as only he can. As for Garbarek: what a joy it is to hear this border-crossing poet turn to seemingly more straight-ahead (yet, as always with this player, freshly considered and dynamically arresting) jazz fare, as he does here in a potent handful of tenor saxophone appearances. In sum, a wonderful album, which will surely come to be seen as something of a milestone of European jazz. --Michael Tucker

Play it with your eyes closed & amp; listen closely if you want, but it will be equally as good in the background during a dinner party


Recommended listening for all jazz fans   October 5, 2005
 31 out of 32 found this review helpful

"Neighbourhood" has been receiving some deservedly complementary reviews in the press and merits a listen from anyone interested in jazz, especially those who think that ECM's output has little or no connection with "real" jazz whatever that is. Certainly the album is more upbeat than a large number of recordings but anyone who has heard recordings from Dave Holland and Tomasz Stanko (the latter of whom graces "Neighbourhood" with his unmistakeable trumpet) will not be so very surprised by the sounds of "Lovely Walk" and "Miles Away".

Although it seems superfluous to say so, the quality of the playing is uniformly excellent. Katché's drumming is of the very highest order and he is complemented by the afore-mentioned Stanko and Garbarek on brass and Stanko's pianist and bassist from his current band whose qualities are apparent from "Trio" which is released earlier this year on ECM.

On the subject of superfluity, lest you doubted it, the production and packaging are without comparison (although many classical and jazz labels such as Nonesuch have tried to emulate the aesthetic appeal of an ECM product).

The album starts slowly and suggestively, like a Bobo Stenson album, with piano, bass and drums only on the opening "November 99." As if challenged by the beauty of this track, Garbarek enters the fray on the numerically misleading second track "Number One" with some of his most engaged playing for some time. Some two minutes in and Stanko responds in turn, the contrast between his melancholic minimalism and Garbarek's urgency reminiscent of Davis and Coltrane half a century ago.

In fact, it is hard to fault the first five tracks at all. It is only the more boppy songs dominate the second half of the album where I feel the quality control slips a little. To me, "No Rush" and especially the saxophone-led "Take Off And Land", are superior jazz funk but still without the individuality and arresting presence of other tracks on the album (a trick which "Miles Away" carries off). The closing "Rose" is beautiful though - Stanko and pianist Masislewski's interplay is testament to a kinship born of playing together for a number of years. The fact that others may be less critical than I of the second half of the album means that "Neighbourhood" deserves all the attention it has received thus far and much, much more.


Excellent   October 4, 2005
 17 out of 19 found this review helpful

Very melodic and peaceful. Not what I was expecting at all. Essentially Stanko's Polish quartet with Katche sitting in for the usual drummer plus Jan Garbarek playing tunes rather than his usual extended one note solos. Garbarek is not overused but Stanko plays consistently well on most tunes. The tunes themselves are good throughout if a bit samey by the time tracks 9 and 10 come around. Manu Katche proves to be a more than adequate composer and his drumming is effective and understated. As far as I can remember, he doesnt take a solo which is very commndable. The star of this set is undoubtedly the piano player who gets more and more impressive with every disk that I hear him on.