Coley -

Coley was an English brass-rock/funk combo that released the 1972 album Goodbye Brains on self-press Coley Records.

Members: Bernard Shaw (Glockenspiel, Vibraslap), Henry Lowther (Flugelhorn), Peter Bocking (Guitar)

Background

Coley converged when saxophonist–composer Barry Cole summoned bassist Neil Cameron, guitarist Peter Bocking, percussionist Bob Cleall, flugelhornist Henry Lowther, percussionist Bernard Shaw, and spoken-word vocalist Paul Bura.

Bocking was born in Withington, Manchester, in 1942 and entered the local rock scene with Johnny Peters & The Jets. He joined Graham Nash and Allan Clarke in The Fourtones, then formed the Pete Bocking Six, which supported The Beatles in December 1962 at the Manchester Oasis club. In 1963, Peter Maclaine & The Clan recorded the Bocking co-write “Yes I Do” for Decca. Bocking cut a 1968 acetate with organist Pete Robinson and drummer Geoff Mullin.

Lowther was born July 11, 1941, in Leicester and learned cornet from his father in the local Salvation Army band. He studied violin at the Royal Academy of Music, then returned to trumpet after hearing Sonny Rollins. Lowther worked through the 1960s with Mike Westbrook, John Dankworth, John Mayall, and the Keef Hartley Band. He led the 1970 Deram album Child Song.

Cole took the lineup to Vortex Studios in Kent in 1972 for the sessions that produced Goodbye Brains, a private pressing on Coley Records.

Discography: