The Cosmosamatics began life as a avant-garde jazz troupe, an unusual collection of jazz musicians that includes saxophonists Sonny Simmons and Michael Marcus. It was these two musicians that decided to bring life to the group, drafting in their favorite collaborators as they crafted their highly unique brand of jazz. (Bradley Torreano, All Music Guide)
The Cosmosamatics
Zetrons
Label: Not Two, 2004
Catalogue No: MW 764-02
Format: CD
Tracks:
1. Crossroads Out! [09:54]
2.Road Dogg [07:41]
3. Mingus Mangus [11:32]
4. Serene [05:38]
5.Shining Winds [06:38]
6. Harmonious Beautious [07:02]
7. Dance Of The Zetrons [08:52]
8. 12 Seasons Of Love [08:36]
Line up:
Sonny Simmons - alto sax, English horn
Michael Marcus - tenor sax, Bb clarinet
Masa Kamaguchi - bass
Jay Rosen - drums
Recorded:
Tracks #1,2,5,6,7 - recorded at Alchemia, Krakow, Poland, November 25, 2004
Tracks #3,4 - recorded "live" at The Bimhuis, Amsterdam, Netherlands, November
13, 2004
Track #8 - recorded "live" at Porgy & Bess, Vienna, Austria, November 22, 2004
About:
"Zetrons" the newest recording by the Cosmosamatics that you are now
listening to, represents our story in the new millennium of American
Jazz/Improvised Music. Among the musical tales you will experience, Dance of the
Zetrons (title cut) represents a dance that is universal throughout the
universe. Road Doggs is about the struggle and the strength of a band traveling
on the iron horses (trains) in Europe. We also pay tribute here to the great
Eric Dolphy and do a rendition of his classical composition, Serene. And of
course, the beauty of Sonny’s tribute to Mingus with his suite: Mingus Mangus.
We are a “band” – which is rare in Jazz these days. Sonny and I have been
collaborating for years to keep the tradition alive of being a bind (like these
great groups: “Modern Jazz Quartet” – “Art Ensemble of Chicago” – “World
Saxophone Quartet”, etc.) We are a group of improvisers, bringing a message of
peace and healing love for all, through sound & soul. (Michael Marcus)
Reviews:
The Cosmosamatics began life as a avant-garde jazz troupe, an unusual
collection of jazz musicians that includes saxophonists Sonny Simmons and
Michael Marcus. It was these two musicians that decided to bring life to the
group, drafting in their favorite collaborators as they crafted their highly
unique brand of jazz. (Bradley Torreano, All Music Guide)
*****
Against all odds and likely thanks to the good taste of European jazz fans
(these live tracks are taken from performances in Krakow, Amsterdam and Vienna),
veteran altoist Sonny Simmons and reedist Michael Marcus have managed to keep
the Cosmosamatics together as a working band for the past five years, Zetrons
being their seventh CD release. The leaders have never been more in sync and the
quartet has never been funkier or tighter. "12 Seasons of Love is a lush ballad
and Simmons' tenderness manages to be surpassed by Marcus, whose tone on tenor
seems to have deepened in recent years. On "Crossroads Out , the pair weaves in
between each other, Marcus' clarinet and Simmons' English horn swirling and
circling Masa Kamaguchi's bass line and Jay Rosen's drums. "Mingus Mangus is an
orchestrated lament that contrasts sorrow and joy as Simmons slows to a blues
and Marcus takes over with effusive swing.
(Jeff Stockton, AllAboutJazz)
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