Album review: TERRY BOZZIO – Composer Series

TERRY BOZZIO - Composer Series

earMUSIC [Release date 25.11.16]

Traditionally, drummers have received bad press or no press. They sit at the back keeping time but very rarely come forward to articulate their wider musical visions. Terry Bozzio is perhaps best known for his work with Frank Zappa and Jeff Beck and is no shrinking violet. This 4-CD set plus bluray is a definitive package for anyone with an interest in fusion, and fusion drummers and their technique.

With complementary liner notes – and graphics – from Bozzio himself, highlighting that he has composed and sequenced everything. The two discs Fusion 1 and Fusion 2 are full of dense soundscapes, not easy listening for the uninitiated, and frequently sounding like something from a futuristic sci-fi film or gaming soundtrack.

There is no real respite on CD3 – entitled ‘Classic’ – which culturally reflects Bozzio’s Japanese influences (he now lives in Japan) and musically takes its cue from jazzers who were classically inspired such as Zappa and Chick Corea. CD4 is entitled ambient but there’s no new age mush here.

The bluray disc rounds off the package with a Bozzio drum solo supplemented by a look at his kit: if you thought a double bass drum was flash Bozzio uses four. And don’t even ask about cymbals.

Those in search of a tune look away now. A box set for insomniac drum musos. ***

Review by David Randall

David Randall presents ‘Assume The Position’ on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio every Sunday at 22:00 GMT.

Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK

Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions, streamed via Facebook.
In 2023 he signed a recording deal with Sony in Canada and released a new single on 15 September.

Next session: Sunday 1 December

Check out videos here: https://www.facebook.com/getreadytorockradio

David Randall presents a weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays at 22:00 GMT, repeated on Mondays and Fridays), when he invites listeners to ‘Assume The Position’. The show signposts forthcoming gigs and tours and latest additions at getreadytorock.com. First broadcast on 3 November 2024.

UK Blues Broadcaster of the Year (2020 and 2021 Finalist) Pete Feenstra presents his weekly Rock & Blues Show on Tuesday at 19:00 GMT as part of a five hour blues rock marathon “Tuesday is Bluesday at GRTR!”. The show is repeated on Wednesdays at 22:00, Fridays at 20:00). This show was first broadcast 29 October 2024.

How to Listen Live?

Click the programming image at the top of the page (top right of page if using desktop)

Listen via Windows Media Player. Click or tap here and “open file”
Listen via other media player (eg. VLC) Click or tap here and “open file”

Get Ready to ROCK! Radio is also in iTunes under Internet Radio/Classic Rock
Listen in via the Tunein app and search for “Get Ready to ROCK!” and save as favourite.

More information and links at our radio website where you can listen again to shows via the presenter pages: getreadytorockradio.com

Power Plays w/c 11 November 2024

ARCANE MOON Hello Sun (indie)
S8NT ELEKTRIC XTC (Long Branch Records)
ARCANA KINGS Here We Go (Curtain Call Records)
KLOGR face The Unknown (Zeta Factory)
BEYOND UNBROKEN Dance With The Dead (FiXT)
REVENGIN Decadent Feeling (Wormholedeath)

Featured Albums w/c 11 November 2024

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Singer Songwriter)