David Cowan’s Groove Network (feat. Lynsey Dolan) – Invincible
Scottish keys player & songwriter David Cowan, part of top notch tribute band the Sensational Alex Harvey Experience, and currently getting deserved attention touring with Gerry McAvoy’s Band of Friends, is never short of a side project or three (as well as a couple of horror-soundtrack inspired solo albums).
The latest musical adventure for the multi-faceted musician is his Groove Network project and debut album Invincible, where Cowan (keys, drums, music, producer) is joined by fellow Scot Lynsey Dolan (lead vocals, lyrics).
Dolan, with her own band, recently released their Higher EP, which is also worthy of attention.
Cowan & Dolan may be leading the Groove Network’s soul-funk charge on Invincible but the contributions from guitarist Kevin "Morph" Dobie (who features on seven of the ten tracks) are highly notable, as are appearances from bassist Graeme Carswell, six-stringers Paul Rose & Davy Knowles, and ex Rory Gallagher alumni (and Band of Friends drummer) Brendan O’Neill.
Opener 'Break My Own Fall' is a musical method statement of what David Cowan’s latest project is all about.
A funky mid-tempo with Lynsey Dolan in full soul-sass mode' and featuring a tasty solo from guest guitarist Alan Sweeney, 'Break My Own Fall' also highlights that while Cowan is an exceptionally good keys player, he can also get into a groove behind a drum kit.
The punchy 'Little White Lies,' bolstered by a fine solo from Kevin Dolan, displays the funkier side of the Groove Network, while 'Need You More' adds a little swing to the album’s insistent and persistent groove (the latter also features a great piano solo from David Cowan).
'Runaway,' with keyboard-horns backing and another great, sassified vocal from Lynsey Dolan, is given an extra lift via a melodically charged, blues tinted solo from Paul Rose.
The pace is then slowed for the rhythmically grooving title track, which allows Lynsey Dolan to take even more of a vocal lead (Dolan is such a great fit for David Cowan’s soul-groove material that you hope this isn’t the last we hear from a Dolan fronted Network).
'Gina Says,' which features some great drum work from Brendan O’Neill and stand-out guitar contributions from Davy Knowles, is an album highlight.
Clocking in at a hearty six minutes yet still over too soon, the song bounces along on its up-tempo rhythm as much as it grooves.
The funky jazz-soul of 'Second Chances' maintains the up-tempo pace before 'Lovers Suicide' ups the funk quotient, interluded by a soulful, breakdown part (some more great guitar play on this number from Kevin Dobie).
The 70s soul-soaked groove of 'Bring Your Love Back Home' allows Lynsey Dolan to lyrically plead, in soulfully fine style, for the return of an estranged relationship. A tasteful piano solo from David Cowan and more, great melodically crying guitar work from Kevin Dobie make this another winner.
'Throw Me a Line,' driven by the bubbly bass lines of Graeme Carswell, makes for a funkadelic way to close out an album that sports a cool, 70s & 80s soul-groove sound throughout.
The album also wins out sonically, courtesy of a nice production from David Cowan; the crisp, clean vocals were recorded at Raptor Studios, with initial vocal recording assistance from Andy Massie at Studio 49.
David Cowan and Lynsey Dolan have found a perfect musical dovetailing on Invincible.
But don't take my word for it. Get into the Groove and hear for yourselves.
Ross Muir
FabricationsHQ
The latest musical adventure for the multi-faceted musician is his Groove Network project and debut album Invincible, where Cowan (keys, drums, music, producer) is joined by fellow Scot Lynsey Dolan (lead vocals, lyrics).
Dolan, with her own band, recently released their Higher EP, which is also worthy of attention.
Cowan & Dolan may be leading the Groove Network’s soul-funk charge on Invincible but the contributions from guitarist Kevin "Morph" Dobie (who features on seven of the ten tracks) are highly notable, as are appearances from bassist Graeme Carswell, six-stringers Paul Rose & Davy Knowles, and ex Rory Gallagher alumni (and Band of Friends drummer) Brendan O’Neill.
Opener 'Break My Own Fall' is a musical method statement of what David Cowan’s latest project is all about.
A funky mid-tempo with Lynsey Dolan in full soul-sass mode' and featuring a tasty solo from guest guitarist Alan Sweeney, 'Break My Own Fall' also highlights that while Cowan is an exceptionally good keys player, he can also get into a groove behind a drum kit.
The punchy 'Little White Lies,' bolstered by a fine solo from Kevin Dolan, displays the funkier side of the Groove Network, while 'Need You More' adds a little swing to the album’s insistent and persistent groove (the latter also features a great piano solo from David Cowan).
'Runaway,' with keyboard-horns backing and another great, sassified vocal from Lynsey Dolan, is given an extra lift via a melodically charged, blues tinted solo from Paul Rose.
The pace is then slowed for the rhythmically grooving title track, which allows Lynsey Dolan to take even more of a vocal lead (Dolan is such a great fit for David Cowan’s soul-groove material that you hope this isn’t the last we hear from a Dolan fronted Network).
'Gina Says,' which features some great drum work from Brendan O’Neill and stand-out guitar contributions from Davy Knowles, is an album highlight.
Clocking in at a hearty six minutes yet still over too soon, the song bounces along on its up-tempo rhythm as much as it grooves.
The funky jazz-soul of 'Second Chances' maintains the up-tempo pace before 'Lovers Suicide' ups the funk quotient, interluded by a soulful, breakdown part (some more great guitar play on this number from Kevin Dobie).
The 70s soul-soaked groove of 'Bring Your Love Back Home' allows Lynsey Dolan to lyrically plead, in soulfully fine style, for the return of an estranged relationship. A tasteful piano solo from David Cowan and more, great melodically crying guitar work from Kevin Dobie make this another winner.
'Throw Me a Line,' driven by the bubbly bass lines of Graeme Carswell, makes for a funkadelic way to close out an album that sports a cool, 70s & 80s soul-groove sound throughout.
The album also wins out sonically, courtesy of a nice production from David Cowan; the crisp, clean vocals were recorded at Raptor Studios, with initial vocal recording assistance from Andy Massie at Studio 49.
David Cowan and Lynsey Dolan have found a perfect musical dovetailing on Invincible.
But don't take my word for it. Get into the Groove and hear for yourselves.
Ross Muir
FabricationsHQ