Cozy Powell-Over The Top (1979)

In the late 70s, Cozy Powell left the band of the unbearable but magical Ritchie Blackmore and after so many years of collaborating and belonging to multiple bands and projects it was decided to publish his first solo album "Over the Top"
Powell already had a long and fruitful career (The Sorcerers, Young Blood, Ace Kefford Stand and Big Bertha, Jeff Beck Group, Bedlam and Strange Brew and Rainbow, later reassured by Michael Shenker Group, Black Sabbath, Fordefield, E, L & P, Ashton & Lord, Jon Lord solo, Donovan, Bernie Marsden, Gary Moore, Glenn Tipton, Cinderella, Don Airey: Brian May, Young of Moody, Phenomena, Roger Daltrey ... etc etc ... a palm groves as impressive as his genius to the battery
With such a past to hope that "Over the Top" had the best of the best when it comes to musicians.
Fully instrumental album, the initial "Theme One" by George Martin, a cut that Van Der Graaf Generator used to make, already warns us that this is smart rock. Remembering powerfully Colosseum II, with Don Airey on the keyboards it becomes logical. Also Jack Bruce showing off bass (with a final nod to Cream) and Bernie Marsden on guitar. "Killer" is recorded live in the studio, repeating line-up except Marsden, replaced here by Gary Moore. And we already have 50% of Colosseum II again. It is the perfect tuning for radio rocker program. It ends in the key of apotheosic Bues. "Heidi Goes to Town", with Powell-Bruce-Airey, is progressive rock close to the "Mirage" Camel: Andy Latimer would have been perfect. In "El Sid" returns the formation of "Theme One" in a jazz rock variant Jeff Beck / Al Di Meola style.
Do not be surprised if I tell you that "Sweet Poison", opening face B, has roots of the Canterbury sound. Max Middleton (Jeff Beck) at Fender Rhodes would act as Dave Stewart. While Jack Bruce looks like Richard Sinclair! Don Airey to the CS80 is immeasurable. And the guitar-hero is this time Dave Clempton, from the first Colosseum. A great fusion of English fusion, exceptional. "The Loner" is dedicated to Jeff Beck. He could not attend this recording due to dates, but his spirit is around the LP. Instead the Clempson emulating instrumental ballads with spectacular final climax, another beauty. Finishing "Over the Top" with Bruce-Airey-Powell, the latter disheveled between jazz rock, 1812 by Tchaikovsky and mansalva percussive pyrotechnics