Andrea
Born on October 27, 1958, Manu Katche is a French drummer and songwriter who has contributed greatly to the industry. He was born in Saint-Maur-des-Fosses in the south-eastern suburbs of Paris, France.
Manu Katche has a greatly developed career, first a session drummer, working on several albums in the mid- 80s. When Peter Gabriel released his So, it was Manu that worked on the drums, bringing out the most incredible sounds, in 1987. Three years later, he was on it again with Sting’s The Soul Cages and Nothing Like the Sun.
He did not stop there, Manu got his signature on the projects of several artists and bands, like Afro Celt Sound System, Jeff Beck, Al Di Meola, Tears of Fears, and Eurythmics others.
Jeanne Mas, Joni Mitchell, Mike Lindup, and Tori Amos were some other names that could not resist capturing the drummer’s signature in their albums. Working with Peter Gabriel and Sting was part of the defining moments in his life.
He has toured with the team on several occasions, establishing both a professional and personal relationship that would live on for a long time. Manu also worked on several projects with Zlatan Stipisic Gibonni. The Croatian singer’s albums like Mirakul and Unca Fibre have received worldwide recognition thanks to the work of Manu Kotche. He played on all songs, except the release of Tracy Chapman’s 1992 Matter of the Heart.
On solo albums, Katche has taken a huge step in the industry. He is one of the few drummers who managed to go solo and did a great job in the process. His first solo album was It’s All About Time, which was presented largely in a rock style. It involved guest musicians like Daniel Lanois, David Rhodes, Peter Gabriel, David Sancious, Brand Marsalis, and Sting.
On September 12, 2005, his second solo album came out under Neighborhood, which featured Jan Garbarek on the saxophone. Between 2003 and 2007, Manu worked extensively with producers Dove Attia, composer Andre Manoukian and Singer Marianne James, releasing the French version of the Idol series.
Katche is also a composer who has created very many beautiful songs. In 2010, for instance, he composed the instrumental piece for Bellewaede. This album came with twelve compositions for the pack, creating a huge impact in Belgium. Hit talents have been displayed through many other projects that bear his footprint.
Katche can be described as one of the most innovative drummers of the modern age. He transfers the skills and approaches of classical drumming styles into the technological realm. When Peter Gabriel and Sting refused to rhythmically still, they wanted someone to interpret their ideas appropriately into French.
It was only Manu Katche who had both the skills and power to present their ideas the way they wanted. Thanks to his nuanced splash cymbal, work, and the stuttering beats, he managed to deliver the West African in the pulse of Gabriel’s “In Your Eyes,” he delivered every emotion within the songs. He has remained an inspiration figure ever since.
