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Alyn Cosker: Onta
by Neil Duggan
Ayr is a coastal town situated in the southwest of Scotland. It is enjoyed by tourists for its scenic beach and as the location of the birthplace of the national poet Robert Burns. It also serves as the inspiration for Onta, the third album from drummer Alyn Cosker, who makes this his love letter to the town of his birth. Buddy Rich fan Cosker is often found with The Scottish National Jazz Orchestra. In his solo career, he ...
Continue ReadingAtlantic Road Trip: ONE
by Jack Bowers
Although it is not clear at first (or even second) glance, Atlantic Road Trip is the name of the group on this superb album from Chicago-based Calligram Records, while ONE is the title of the album itself. What is clear is that the music the quintet produces is splendid, overflowing with delightful melodies and tantalizing rhythms, and enhanced considerably by the presence of vibraphonist Miro Herak in the group. Before moving on, hats off to Calligram Records for recording a ...
Continue ReadingPaul Towndrow: Six by Six
by John Barron
There's nothing mild or meek about Scottish saxophonist Paul Towndrow. The young reedman approaches improvisation with a go-for-broke assuredness. Six by Six finds Towndrow leading a powerhouse sextet performing a set of original mainstream jazz.
Towndrow composes edgy tunes with enough lush harmony to keep band-mates challenged and listeners curious. The disc's explosive opener, “Big Hitter," and “Rostov," a contrapuntal-laden straight-eighth groove, serve as stand-out tracks. Other tunes, such as the second-line influenced “Crook Sludge," come across as well-intended but ...
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