Various Artists - The Cosimo Matassa Story Vol. 01- 4 x CD,s (2007) Proper - New Orleans Blues/R&R/R&B

In a tiny, unassuming room in New Orleans' French Quarter, Cosimo Matassa worked magic.The savvy studio owner was one of the first to recognize the goldmine that was New Orleans' music scene. He has worked with the likes of Fats Domino, Big Joe Turner and Little Richard. Studio engineers rarely get credit for their crucial contributions to hits. But the sound of a recording just as much as a song’s rendition often provides the intangible element that puts it across. Listeners rarely identify this certain something as the hook that grabs them. Without its piercing appeal, however, they simply may not respond, and a hit will not ensue.No audio engineer has thrilled more listeners by imbuing more hits with more sonic excitement than Cosimo Matassa. Matassa worked on a shoestring budget.When you look at the incredible records this man had a hand in it new Orleans Royalty in the music biz....Matassa was born in New Orleans in 1926 and passed 2014. In 1944 he began studies as a chemistry major at Tulane University, which he abandoned after completing five semesters of course work. In 1945, at the age of 18, Matassa opened the J&M Recording Studio at the back of his family's shop on Rampart Street, on the border of the French Quarter in New Orleans.In 1955, he moved to the larger Cosimo Recording Studio on Gov. Nichols Street, nearby in the French Quarter.As an engineer and proprietor, Matassa was crucial to the development of the sound of R&B, rock and soul of the 1950s and 1960s, often working with the producers Dave Bartholomew and Allen Toussaint. He recorded many hits, including Fats Domino’s "The Fat Man" (a contender for the first rock and roll record), Little Richard's "Tutti Frutti", and records by Ray Charles, Lee Dorsey, Dr. John, Smiley Lewis, Bobby Mitchell, Tommy Ridgley, the Spiders and many others. He was responsible for developing what became known as the New Orleans sound, with strong drums, heavy guitar and bass, heavy piano, light horns and a strong vocal lead. In the late 1950s and early 1960s.

AMM 

                                Cosimo Matassa Outside The J&M Studio Building In New Orleans

                                                               Review Courtesy Of Pmac

                                                                           CD 1

                                                                         The Taster!

  

                                                                          CD 2

                                                                        The Taster!

                                                                           CD 3

                                                                         The Taster!

                                                                         CD 4

                                                                         The Taster!