James Cohen	Website:	www.James-Cohen.com
	Genre(s):	Flamenco, Gypsy, Swing, Jazz, Fusion, Nouveau Flamenco, Latin / Flamenco Fusion, Blues, World Fusion
	Instrument(s):	Guitar
	Trademark(s):	Progressive Flamenco, Rhythmic, Lyrical, Fluid Arrangements
	Album(s):	High Side of Lowdown
	Collaborations:
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James Cohen's 2003 release, High Side of Lowdown, is a lively, spirited, progressive world fusion of musical styles including jazz, swing, blues, and various Latin forms framed against a foundation of flamenco guitar. With a flamenco / jazz fusion style full of Spanish stylisms that is sometimes reminiscent of the sound and feel of Paco De Lucia and Al Di Meola, Cohen does not limit his stylistic influence to Flamenco or jazz, but also incorporates some rock and blues stylisms that give his music a distinctive sound something like what might be heard in a Quentin Tarentino movie soundtrack. Additionally, Cohen covers and integrates a broad range of traditional Latin & Spanish forms, such as tango, rumba, and samba, that further faciliate a very wide coverage of stylistic territory on the album. Furthermore, the fusion of these traditional Latin and Spanish forms with Flamenco, jazz, blues, rock and other styles presents the listener with some very distinctive and unique soundscapes. Cohen has a fantastic talent for blending these once disparate styles in a subtle manner that might elude a casual listener. Integrating elements of gypsy music, traditional European folk sound, such as accordian, and even a bluesy Moog organ sound to some tracks, the overall sound is a diverse fusion that incorporates many familiar flavors.

Besides the traversal of diverse musical territory, another key element of Cohen's music is his noteworthy effort in devising and articulating interesting, highly accessible motifs within his arrangements. Cohen's arrangements deliver a continuous, fluid stream of satifsying and sometimes dramatic musical ideas that are continually accessible to the listener. Cohen's arrangements engage the listener from the opening bar of the album and keep their attention through the closing refrain. Adhering to the traditions inherent in Flamenco and gypsy music, Cohen gives due attention to developing rousing, animated rhythms throughout his well-textured compositions. Add clever changes and well-matched, contrapuntal sections, and Cohen's formula for engaging the listener and keeping them in the grasp of his constantly shifting musical enigma starts to unfold.

High Side of Lowdown is a solid, highly entertaining album that is easily accessible to a wide audience, largely due to its coverage of familiar Flamenco and Latin styles and their fusion with stylisms from jazz, swing, gypsy, rock, and blues that will surely land sweetly in the ears of mainstream, casual listeners, fans of instrumental music, and seasoned musicians alike. If you are the type of person that finds themselves grooving to the soundtracks of Quentin Tarentino movies with Latin / Mexican themes and could never figure out where to get that type of cool instrumental music, this is it. Or, if you are a fan of instrumental rock, Latin music, or jazz and have been wanting to venture into new world music territory, perhaps with Flamenco or Spanish guitar underpinnings, but wanted to find something that has roots in music you can already relate, this is also it. Or, if you are just looking for some swingin', cool, rhythmic music with the savvy of the world beats and hot Spanish / Latin seasoning that gets low down for your hoe down, this is the album you are looking for. If you are the type of person that likes the Spanish guitar influences like Paco De Lucia, Al Di Meola, and the Spanish jazz fusion thing, but also like the groove of rock and blues, and the exotic pulses of gypsy music, you are really going to dig this album... it was made with you in mind. This album is great for entry into the type of material it covers and will be enjoyed with equal enthusiasm by experienced listeners.

High Side of Lowdown is worthy of two thumbs up for the excellent musicianship coupled with highly accessible, diverse world music arrangements. James Cohen has done a superb job on this album in making instrumental music suitable for the masses and musicians alike!

Ratings:

Composition: 7.0 / 10

Execution / Performance: 7.0 / 10

Improvisation: 7.0 / 10

Originality: 7.5 / 10

Relative Accessibility: 7.5 / 10

Lyricism: 7.0 / 10

Harmonization: 7.0 / 10

Rhythm: 7.0 / 10

Technical Complexity: 7 / 10

Production: 8.0 / 10

Coolness: Very Cool

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