Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » Sonny Simmons: Cosmosamatics II

Sonny Simmons: Cosmosamatics II

By Glenn Astarita
December 22, 2002
View read count

Multi-reedman Michael Marcus and alto saxophonist Sonny Simmons have been collaborating since the early '80s. This release signifies the group's followup to the 2001 date Cosmosamatics. Much like the previous outing, the saxophonists work well together, amid organically tinted sound structures and razor sharp soloing.

Drummer Jay Rosen's rumbling tom work rides atop bassist Curtis Lundy's booming ostinato during the jazz waltz etude on "Daughter of Isis." Here, Marcus overlays bass clarinet and soprano sax lines during a piece featuring Middle Eastern type overtures. Moreover, the saxophonists render a vivacious tribute to the late Eric Dolphy on the aptly titled "Echoes of Eric Dolphy."

The quartet explores Brazilian motifs and stark soundscapes throughout, while also injecting subliminal doses of romanticism in spots. "Cosmic Curtis" is marked by Simmons' extended soloing to complement a rather leisurely yet altogether compelling motif. Overall, this is a sound effort, yet perhaps not as persuasive or commanding as the band's 2001 production.

Track Listing

Fushionanatomy, Daughter of Isis, Echoes of Eric Dolphy, Queen Bee, Rio Bahia, Cosmic Curtis

Personnel

Sonny Simmons

saxophone, alto

Sonny Simmon, alto sax, English horn; Michael Marcus, tenor sax, soprano sax, bass clarinet, flute; Curtis Lundy, bass; Jay Rosen, drums, percussion

Album information

Title: Cosmosamatics II | Year Released: 2002 | Record Label: Boxholder Records

PREVIOUS / NEXT

An Oscar Peterson Christmas
< Previous

Well to The Bone
Next >

Support All About Jazz

All About Jazz has been a pillar of jazz since 1995, championing it as an art form and, more importantly, supporting the musicians who make it. Our enduring commitment has made "AAJ" one of the most culturally important websites of its kind, read by hundreds of thousands of fans, musicians and industry figures every month.

Go Ad Free!

To maintain our platform while developing new means to foster jazz discovery and connectivity, we need your help. You can become a sustaining member for as little as $20 and in return, we'll immediately hide those pesky ads plus provide access to future articles for a full year. This winning combination vastly improves your AAJ experience and allow us to vigorously build on the pioneering work we first started in 1995. So enjoy an ad-free AAJ experience and help us remain a positive beacon for jazz by making a donation today.