Cozens

Anthony Rooley - The Cozens Lute Book (1975) {Decca Eloquence 480 2300 rel 2010}
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© 1977, 2010 Decca Music / Universal | 480 2300 | Decca Eloquence Series
Classical / Renaissance / Early Music / Lute

What ties this exquisitely played collection of lute pieces together is that all appeared in the anthology whose pieces were chosen by one John Cozens. Searching through 16th-century manuscripts in the 1960s, Rooley evidently discovered many such personal collections, designed for each owner’s amusement and edification. Found in the Cambridge University library, the John Cozens Lute Book was distinguished in Rooley’s eyes by the collector’s taste, the “florid” ornamentation, and clarity. Rooley recorded a quarter of the music in the manuscript.

This CD from Steps Ahead is probably most notable for introducing the fine keyboardist Rachel Z. Also in the group at the time were leader Mike Mainieri on MIDI vibraharp and synclavier, saxophonist Bendik, bassist Jeff Andrews and drummer Steve Smith. Put out by Mainieri's NYC label, this mostly high-powered performance consists of group originals, generally by Mainieri and Bendik.

Jim Lampi's Greazy features a host of talented musicians. There's the legendary John Martyn on vocals and the drummer and keyboard player from his band, Arran Amun and Spencer Cozens. They are joined by singer-songwriter Marie Claire Dubaldo and Chris Wells on Brazilian style percussion. This is an album of originals, influenced by the music that has affected Jim over the years; 70s fusion, R&B based jazz standards, Latin music, and low rider bands. The first instrument that Jim learnt to play was the saxophone, and he brings some of those sensibilities to his playing and composing. The Chapman Stick is an amazing instrument with an unusual range of five-and-a-quarter octaves. Its unique sound has intrigued many musicians including John Martyn, with whom Jim plays on a regular basis. John adds vocals to two tracks, bringing his own musical genius to the album.

Vocalist Graham Bonnet fronts this group consisting of drummer extraordinaire Cozy Powell, guitarists Ray Fenwick and Jan Akkerman, with Chris Cozens on keyboards, and guests like Terry Pack and Mo Foster on bass. The album begins awkwardly with a bit of bombast called "Hit and Run" but gets more hard pop with "Always," a drum beat that Roxy Music utilized on Manifesto, and that Elton John chose for "Healing Hands" under a melody that sounds totally derivative. Rocking harder than "Touch Me," the 1974 hit Fenwick composed for his group Fancy, but not as aggressive as that Top 20 song, there's the balancing act going on here of Cozy Powell's arena rock attitude and Ray Fenwick's pop sensibilities.

This CD from Steps Ahead is probably most notable for introducing the fine keyboardist Rachel Z. Also in the group at the time were leader Mike Mainieri on MIDI vibraharp and synclavier, saxophonist Bendik, bassist Jeff Andrews and drummer Steve Smith. Put out by Mainieri's NYC label, this mostly high-powered performance consists of group originals, generally by Mainieri and Bendik.