Lyn's Une - Alyn Cosker - Jazz Notes (York Press)

Alyn Cosker has been the drummer with the Scottish National Jazz Orchestra for four years and he also features on Tommy Smith's latest album, Forbidden Fruit. Smith repays the favour by playing on Cosker's debut, Lyn's Une (Linn Records) and turns in some powerful tenor saxophone on the opening track, Oh Dear (so named for the complex 9/8 rhythm on one section).

Most tracks feature the virtuoso guitar of David Dunsmuir alongside the saxophone, recalling the funk/rock-influenced sounds of the Morrisey Mullen Band. At other times the link is to John Mclaughlin and the ballad sound of Pat Metheny on such gentle tunes as Don't Forget Me and Unannounced.

Track seven, the title tune, introduces a different group sound with Jason Rebello (piano) and Paul Towndrow (soprano/alto saxophone) and a light, Latin feel.

By track eight, Twitter And Bisted, trumpeter Ryan Quigley swells the band to a full-throated seven piece, continuing on to Bheki, a tribute to the late South African pianist Bheki Mseleku.

Cosker handles compositions and playing for the larger ensemble with the same versatility as the small group, evidence of his past collaborations with the various talents of Lee Konitz, Courtney Pine, David Newton, Warren Vache and Tim Garland.

Linn Records has a reputation for choosing outstanding musicians and the addition of Alyn Cosker to their catalogue will win a lot of new friends. Probably the best drummer you have never heard of, Cosker is the outstanding composer/arranger of all 12 tracks as well as being a superb drummer.