Trio urbain, with François Moutin and Peter Gritz
Tracklisting
Click on the titles to listen to a 30sec. excerpt- Morceau de trio (Rocheman)
- Body and soul (Green)
- Sarcasmes (Rocheman)
- Cherokee (Noble)
- Trio urbain (Rocheman)
- Passe-temps (Rocheman)
- Ciboure (Rocheman)
Introduction
With the release of this first disc it would be superfluous to say that Manuel Rocheman is a magnificent pianist. He has got everything a musician of today should possess: musicality, instrumental technique, originality, a keen sense of harmony and melody, knowledge of the jazz tradition and great modernity. Compliments like this might seem suspicious, especially given my attachment for Manuel and the music he creates. And yet I can’t see how to avoid them, they are so obviously true. Everything on this disc triggers immense delight in me. If I add that Manuel is a musician who progresses with each of his performances, he has a jubilant future in prospect. As for his partners, François Moutin and Peter Gritz, they form a tandem that is ‘above suspicion’ and that ranks above many a rhythm section.
From the outset the first roller-coaster theme sends us hurtling into the unaccustomed. The Body and Soul and the Cherokee which follow give us Manuel revamping the most well-worn standards of the repertoire. The remainder of the record is just as exciting, proving he has successfully enhanced jazz - the prime example of a voracious art - with the marvels contained in music in general by making his own translation of it. When all is said and done, this is what seems essential to me today. The item in your hands contains magnificent music that only the ‘hearing-impaired’ are entitled not to like…
From Martial Solal.