OCTOPUSS

It's good to feature Cozy Powell here as he can be considered as proghead because his solo albums demonstrate it. I knew him for the first time when I heard "Stargazer" on Rainbow "Rising" album. It was quite a big surprise on the change of drummer from Rainbow with Gary Driscol on debut album and finally I found different sound and style when "Stargazer" starts to roll. The drum solo at the beginning of the track was truly stunning and made me rewind the cassettes because I wanted to listen to the drum solo at the intro part. Fabulous. Since then, it was becoming my important reason to purchase any release from Rainbow.

Only later I knew that he made an album called "Octopuss" that blew me away at first spin of the cassette. Actually, I expected the music was somewhat similar with Rainbow Rising because at that time I was not used to jazzy-like music. It was a disappointment at first spin because the opening track was totally different with any track from Rainbow. "Up on the Downs" (3:55) did not really impress me due to the drumming was just mediocre and more on guitar and bass. As I followed through the music, I found that the next three tracks "633 Squadron" ( 4:13), "Octopuss" (5:35) and "The Big Country" (2:56) were all excellent ones. And by the passage of time I could enjoy the opening track as well. "633 Squadron" impressed me with its bombastic nature of the music as it sounded brilliant with grandiose orchestra. I played the cassette in loud volume and I was totally blown away with the music - it's so powerful. This song was later becoming very popular as background music for appreciation of Sales staff who achieved their targets. While "Octopuss" satisfied my needs for powerful, jaw-dropping drum work by Cozy that I have been waiting for it whenever I played this album. Stunning drum work, really! While "The Big Country" serves like a grand finale of the three tracks. Considering these tracks alone, it's worth having this album in your collection, really.

It does not mean that the other tracks are not good. "Formula One " is a straight forward jazz-rock fusion with good guitar and stunning drum work. "Princetown" is also an important track. "Dartmoore" explores the Trapeze's guitarist Mel galley into blues-like composition. While "The Rattler" opens with great drum solo that reminds me to Stargazer.

Cozy Powell is a very talented drummer in the history of rock music. And this album is very solid in composition as well as musicianship. Peace on earth and mercy mild. Keep on proggin' .!