COZY POWELL – Tilt [Korean Edition remastered]

It has been requested classic COZY POWELL albums in the best sound quality possible. “Tilt“, the second Cozy solo album has been reissued in Japan remastered an pressed on SHM-CD. Bu we’re more than happy with this Korean pressing which uses the same master and has an excellent disc manufacturing too.
”Tilt” features musical assistance from Jeff Beck, Don Airey, Bernie Marsden, Gary Moore and great vocals by Elmer Gantry (Alan Parsons) among other luminaries. Considered to be one of England’s best drummers, Cozy Powell was legendary for a heavy-hitting style that could be made to work with many styles of music, which are addressed here.

In 1981, Powell – also a much in demand session drummer – released his second album, ‘Tilt’. The album reflects Powell’s eclectic taste. The Eighties, albeit less so than the previous two decades, were still a time of experimentation, a time of matching and merging musical styles and genres.
There’s some fascinatingly eclectic rock music here, incorporating fusion, rock and progressive, as well as epic orchestral pieces.

Two tracks – ‘Cat Moves’ and ‘Hot Rock’ – are contributed by the man who created that instantly recognisable theme to TV’s Miami Vice, Jan Hammer. Aficionados will know that Hammer had also collaborated with Journey’s Neal Schon. Clearly a respected musician and writer.
It could be argued of course, that Powell’s disparate collection of songs on ‘Tilt’ do not a cohesive album make. But the unequivocal fact is this: Powell never sets out to be the star of his own show.
Each and every track is beautifully balanced.

On the guitar instrumentals, the axeman is the star… Gary Moore’s ‘Sunset’ is one of the most moving guitar instrumental pieces that you’ll ever hear, Powell clearly knows that punctuation, with the occasional fill and frill, is all the track needs from him.
Powell, Airey and Moore also perform excellent track ‘The Buster’ which runs in relatively fast tempo with stunning guitar solo and powerful drumming. Cozy’s is really excellent.
And Jeff Beck’s guitar work om ‘Hot Rock’ worth to have this album alone.

Frank Aiello makes a strong vocal fist of the Airey/Powell/Marsden co-write ‘Living A Lie’ (though Marsden nearly steals the show from under him), and Elmer Gantry’s versatile vocal contributions are at the service of the songs, one soaring performance and other almost whispering.

Unlike the majestic, completely instrumental debut ‘Over The Top’, Cozy Powell’s second solo album, ‘Tilt’ (released when Powell was a member of The Michael Schenker Group) features no less than four songs with vocals, with a more commercial approach than its predecessor.
A solid, entertaining album including exquisite instrumentals and cool pop rocking progressive songs.
Highly Recommended

01 – Cat Moves
02 – Sunset
03 – Living A Lie
04 – Hot Rock
05 – The Blister
06 – The Right Side
07 – Jekyll & Hyde
08 – Sooner Or Later

Drums, Percussion – Cozy Powell
Bass – Chris Glen
Bass – Neil Murray
Guitar – Bernie Marsden
Guitar – Jeff Beck
Guitar – Gary Moore
Guitar – Kirby
Keyboards, Moog Bass – Don Airey
Keyboards – John Cook
Saxophone – Mel Collins
Synth solo on 1 – David Sancious
Vocals – Elmer Gantry
Vocals – Frank Aiello

Out of print