Review
Scott Cossu’s “Wind Dance” is the artists first album, and the 16th release on Windham Hill. Wind Dance is the first ensemble recording on Windham Hill that most people are familiar with, but Linda Waterfall’s “Mary’s Garden” and the eponymous “Kidd Afrika” R&B album predates it by some 5 years.
Cossu is a thoughtful and talented player, and the second side of the album in particular is strong. Nonetheless, “Wind Dance” is lighter than Cossu’s later works. Cossu and labelmate de Grassi explore music that will be familiar to listeners of the Pat Metheny Group recordings of the time.
Reviews at the time were deservedly positive. From Cossu’s web site:
“Cossu weds ethnic diversity to his natural style of ethereal piano. His enticing polyrhythms are fit for ecstatic dancing. A sparkling record.”
– The Boston Globe
“Undoubtedly, Scott Cossu is one of the jazz luminaries of the future.”
-Billboard Magazine
Recommended for Scott Cossu fans, Windham Hill collectors, or fans of Pat Metheny’s early work. Otherwise, look to Scott Cossu’s later recordings which are overall stronger.
Track Listing
Side One
- Jamaica 5:00
- Demeter/Rejoicing 5:32
- Kinsa 5:04
- Purple Mountain 5:29
Side Two
- Freija 6:25
- Almost Like Heaven 4:22
- Wind Dance 7:44
Produced by George Winston
- SCOTT COSSU: Piano
- ALEX DE GRASSI: 6&12 String Guitar
- DAN REITER: Cello
- MICHAEL SPIRO: Congos & Percussion
- PAUL DUNN: Percussion
- Recorded at the Music Annex, Menlo Park, CA
- Engineered by Russell Bond
- Original Half-Speed Mastering by Stan Ricker, Mobile Fidelity Sound Labs
- Matrix and Pressings by RTI, Camarillo, CA
- Graphic Design by Anne Ackerman
- Cover Photo by Ron May
- Liner Photo by Anne Ackerman
- All Compositions by Scott Cossu
- All Selections are Silver Crow Music (BMI)
- Administered by Windham Hill Music (BMI)
- Manufactured by Windham Hill Records
- A Division of Windham Hill Productions, Inc.
- Box 9388, Stanford, CA 94305
Distributed by A&M Records, Inc.
©(p) Windham Hill Records 1981
Research Notes
Dan Reiter’s Biography from the 1981 “Passage” Album:
DAN REITER, CELLO
Dan Reiter, 29, has for the past six years been co-principal cellist with the Oakland Symphony. He attended the conservatory at Cincinatti University and studied with Jack Kirstein. In addition to his work with the symphony, Dan composes unusual chamber music – incorporating folk and jazz elements along with classical – for his trio of clarinet, bass, and cello.
This is one of my top 5 albums from the early years of Windham Hill. It has fewer instruments and has a more intimate sound that Scott Cossu’s other albums which tend to feature larger groups. For this reason it is more like other early Windham Hill albums. Other than group size the compositions are excellent and the recording quality (like most WH albums) allows the listener to concentrate on the beautiful compositions. You’ll love the songs, Demeter/Rejoicing, Kinsa, Purple Mountain and the excellent title song which closes the album. Also, Alex DeGrassi is featured on this album and Scott Cossu has many moments where his piano playing is the highlight, such as in Demeter/Rejoicing.
If you haven’t heard this album then you are missing one of the best examples of early Windham Hill music. This album is an easy recommendation to all Windham Hill fans. I only wish Scott Cossu had stayed in this mode for a couple of more albums.