Cosmosquad

Cosmosquad - Squadrophenia - 2002 - Mascot Records

Another brilliant all-instrumental release from the monster trio known as Cosmosquad is entitled Squadrophenia. Retaining the multi-dimensional approach the band developed on their debut album, Cosmosquad have successfully managed to explore new musical territory and expand their sonic parameters on Squadrophenia. Displays of upbeat, funky outbursts give way to dark, hypnotic grooves, spastic madness meets ethereal beauty, and African tribal flavors intersect with melodic flurries to complete a perfectly balanced mosaic of shadow and light. Cosmosquad are that rare three-pronged constellation of stellar musicianship, unique songwriting and forward thinking attitude that allows for great musical things to happen. Squadrophenia is bound to establish the Jeff Kollman / Barry Sparks / Shane Gaalaas alliance as one of the frontrunners of the New Millennium hard fusion movement for years to come. © Dan Avinchey - Guitar 9 records

Transcending old school fusion and new age progressive metal stylings, COSMOSQUAD truly live up to their galactic moniker. Three years after their acclaimed eponymous debut album, this L.A.-based triumvirate is ready to unleash its sophomore release, "Squadrophenia", and make another out-of-this-world statement. Retaining the multidimensional approach the band developed on their debut album, COSMOSQUAD have successfully managed to explore new musical territory and expand their sonic parameters on "Squadrophenia". Displays of upbeat, funky outbursts give way to dark, hypnotic grooves, spastic madness meets ethereal beauty, and African tribal flavors intersect with melodic flurries to complete a perfectly balanced mosaic of shadow and light. COSMOSQUAD are that rare three-pronged constellation of stellar musicianship, unique songwriting and forward thinking attitude that allows for great musical things to happen. "Squadrophenia" is bound to establish the Kollman / Sparks / Gaalaas alliance as one of the Front-runners of the New Millennium hard fusion movement for years to come. - from Album Notes © http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/cosmosquad1

Take three established musicians who have played with the likes of Yngwie Malmsteen, the Michael Schenker Group, Dokken, Uli Jon Roth, Mogg/Way, Artension and Tony MacAlpine, throw ’em in a room to craft intoxicating, genre-busting instrumentals with such cool titles as “Funk N’ Eh” and “Sea Broth,” and then relish in the twisted aural magic. Cosmosquad – featuring guitarist Jeff Kollman, bass player Barry Sparks and drummer Shane Gaalaas – refuses to be categorized on Squadrophenia, the band’s second album. Displays of upbeat and funky outbursts give way to dark and hypnotic grooves, madness and melody, with a touch of tribal trance. (Hey, that’s the title of another song here.) The cleverness that begins in the album’s Who-spoof title carries over into almost every track on Squadrophenia. Throughout the course of these 12 songs, no one player seems to dominate -- although each takes his turn to shine on individual songs. The rhythm section is typically tight, often allowing plenty of room for Kollman’s roaming guitar. The jazzy “Chinese Eyes” and the slow-building “Road to Tanzania/Tribal Trance” feature guest piano and synths courtesy of Roger Burn. Esteemed guitarists Chris Poland and Vinnie Moore also join in on “Jam For Jason,” which originally appeared on 2001’s Jason Becker tribute, Warmth in the Wilderness. In short, these guys are out of this world. - Added: October 22nd 2002 Reviewer & © Michael Popke Score: **** © 2004 Sea Of Tranquility http://www.seaoftranquility.org/reviews.php?op=showcontent&id=404

Where have all the shredders gone you ask? Well, I don’t know where all the old ones went but while they were away a new bunch have appeared and frankly with groups like Cosmosquad about the scene, who needs the old guys? To be completely truthful about the matter Cosmosquad don’t spend all of their time shredding and posing, they have a far broader palette than just that. The mileage that these guys drive to get somewhere can be considerable, take 'Jam For Jason' for instance. This jam, dedicated to guitarist Jason Becker, runs on for about eight minutes, up the hill, around the hill and often through the hill, but it gets to its destination in high style. The flamenco guitar at about five minutes in is absolutely sublime. So who are these guys so capable of tearing it all up and then piecing it back together? Well, first you have Jeff Kollman on guitar who is probably best known as Michael Schenker’s stand-in in the group Mogg-Way. Kollman has an unparalleled touch that can bring you from endless bliss to a flood of tears. Check out 'Godzilla’s Revenge' for some off the map heaviness with a grin. Then we have Shane Gaalaas on drums. Gaalaas is one of the most sought after groove players in the business. Glenn Hughes calls him “The funkiest man in Rock, next to me!” The man can get lead heavy as well, check out his work with Diesel Machine for an example, but here he is groovin’ and fillin’ at his fusion lovin’ best. Listen to how he fills the open holes of 'Cauldron of Evil'. The third part of this funkified Metal-fusion trio is bassist Barry Sparks. Sparks has seen time with half the shredders of note in Rock music. From Uli Jon Roth to MSG and Yngwie Malmsteen, they have all called on Sparks to make, sorry ‘bout this folks, sparks fly. At one moment in time his bottom is so heavy that you would need a crane to lift it and then the next thing you know those high frequencies that you thought were guitar are actually being pumped up by good ole’ Barry. The man is a phenom which is something that Don Dokken immediately realized and that is why a guy who has been only working with the Dokken band for less than a year gets his own solo spot on stage each night. 'Funk N’ Eh’' gives a really tasty bit of his ability to slide across the fretboard. Essentially what you have here is a trio of musicians who are each on the cusp of some great fame and fortune playing their asses off for about an hour. Worth checking out? Of course it is. Actually, it goes beyond that, this is essential Hard Rock Fusion for the next generation and would be a crime to miss out on. By: & © David L. Wilson © 2003 Blistering Entertainment. All Rights Reserved. http://www.blistering.com/reviews/album.php3?ID=3632

Great progressive metal jazz rock/fusion from the L.A based band. Cosmosquad’s music can be heavy, dark, and melodic but “beautifully chaotic” and always manages to hold your interest. If you like artists like Tribal Tech, Dixie Dregs, Mike Keneally, Allan Holdsworth, and Wayne Krantz, you may like this album. However, it’s not imperative to like these artists to appreciate the great music created by Kollman, Sparks, & Gaalaas . The album is HR by A.O.O.F.C. Buy the band's powerful "Live at the Baked Potato" album [All tracks @ 320 Kbps: File size = 128 Mb] Check out Jeff Kollman @ http://www.jeffkollman.com/

TRACKS

1 Creepy Spider 5:36
2 Jam For Jason 8:05
3 Road To Tanzania/Tribal Trance 5:53
4 Winter In Innisfail 4:57
5 In Loving Memory 5:06
6 Creepy Spider Part II 4:36
7 Sea Broth 4:35
8 Godzilla's Revenge 0:54
9 Cauldron Of Evil 5:45
10 Chinese Eyes 4:19
11 Tribal Trance (Reprise) 4:16

N.B: The original 2001 issue of the album on Marmaduke Records contains the extra track, "Funk'n Eh"

All tracks composed by Kollman, Sparks, & Gaalaas

MUSICIANS

Jeff Kollman – Guitar
Chris Poland, Vinnie Moore – Guitars on Track 2
Barry Sparks – Bass
Roger Burn – Piano, Synth. on Tracks 3, 9
Shane Gaalaas - Drums