During the 1970s, and especially the 1980s, Manhattan Transfer topped the charts with its clever blend of jazz vocal light, doo-wop and cabaret. Following the passing of their leader, Tim Hauser, in 2014 due to a heart attack, very few observers gave them much of a chance. But The Junction is proof that the flame still shines bright, thanks in part to the arrival of Trist Curless (a rather surprising replacement for Hauser) and the intact virtuosity of Cheryl Bentyne, Janis Siegel and Alan Paul. Nine years after the surprising The Chick Corea Songbook, Manhattan Transfer offers a rather eclectic repertoire, mixing original compositions and well-chosen covers (US3/Herbie Hancock, Rickie Lee Jones, XTC). All in all, The Junction is as much a beautiful tribute to Tim Hauser as the signal of a new start. © Clotilde Maréchal/Qobuz