Cosker, Alyn
Linn, 2009, SACD
Instrument: Drums
Issue: 15.3
Jazz Ruler Type: Fusion
Performance: 3
Sound: 5
Score: 
O’s Notes: We love live drums (vs. electronic) and Cosker is one of the best drummers on the contemporary jazz scene. He put together a set of 12 tunes, a mix of mostly funky fusion with a couple of vocals led by Maureen McMullan. Cosker wrote arranged and produced all of the music and collaborated with McMullan on the vocal tracks. We enjoyed the focus on drums on “Logan’s Slogans”, a swinging syncopated number and the brass blends on “Twitter and Bisted”. Alyn also does a fine job of surfacing his band, especially guitarist David Dunsmuir and Tommy Smith (sax). The program includes racy tunes like “That’s The Ticket”, the reflective “Smiling Down Introduction” and the mellow title track making it a well-rounded set. Our favorite track is “Bheki” dedicated to the late South African pianist Bheki Mseleku.
Publicist: Linn Records
