Reviews: As a taster for this weekend�s Homegrown programme of Scottish talent, Glasgow Jazz Festival could hardly have picked a better example than drummer Alyn Cosker�s trio.

Get the Blessing & Alyn Cosker Trio, The Arches

Star rating: ***

As a taster for this weekend's Homegrown programme of Scottish talent, Glasgow Jazz Festival could hardly have picked a better example than drummer Alyn Cosker's trio. Here is a group ready for the international stage, showing instrumental ability that comes from serious dedication and an organisational flair that channels it into a juicy, attractive package.

In guitarist David Dunsmuir and bass guitarist Ross Hamilton, Cosker has colleagues who, like himself, have much to say musically that's of interest and take every opportunity to solo as a means of creating exciting, well-rounded statements. But equally valuable is Cosker's writing, which allows for plenty of those opportunities but also pays great attention to form, stylistic variety and memorable hook lines. Thus, as well as some heavy-duty power trio passages, there were witty New Orleans-derived boogaloos, sensitive ballad playing and honest-to-goodness grooving from a group that's entirely self-sufficient.

Bristolians Get the Blessing, on the other hand, didn't quite live up to expectations raised by their first Scottish performance at last year's festival. The heart and flowing rhythm that allowed them to switch between jagged, short, sharp phrases and bolder, lengthier statements with real impact didn't seem to be quite with them this time, although the elements - variously sparring and complementary trumpet and saxophone and rumbling, flat-picked bass guitar - were present as before.

Nonetheless, their quirky ideas, sometimes redolent of a slightly tipsy brass band jamming with The Stranglers' rhythm section, can still tickle the funny bone and persuade hips to sway, as the appreciative listeners in front of the stage confirmed.

The Congos, The Ferry
By Dave Prater
Star rating: ****

Epithets abound in the live music arena. Classic this and seminal that rarely live up to what is heard. Saturday night's performance by Jamaican roots group The Congos did, however, deserve such glowing praise.

It's more than 30 years since the release of their groundbreaking album Heart Of The Congos, recorded by Lee Perry at his Black Ark studio. While the coming together of top-notch vocal group and wayward producer was happenstance, the album raised the bar and came to define the roots reggae genre.

That The Congos are still together is enough reason for thanks. That they are not merely going through the motions meant that the audience was treated to a full-on and heartfelt performance.

It would be unkind to point out that the collective Congos are no spring chickens but they exude an energy that would leave many younger bands catching their breath.

Despite various rewinds, false starts which I'm guessing were done largely for dramatic effect, the razor-sharp rhythm section kept the sound firmly anchored, while Cedric Myton's sweetest falsetto, Roydel Johnson's tenor and the baritone of Watty Burnett exemplified the doo-wop inflected melodies which are a hallmark of the Black Ark sound.

The set comprised a heavy sprinkling of their 2006 album Swinging Bridge,which was at long last a worthy follow-up to the album that had overshadowed their career for three decades. Of note were the tracks Beatles Come and Teachers. Towards the end, a run of classics: Ark of the Covenant, Sodom and Gomorrow, Fisherman and a totally hypnotic Congoman showed that unlike many bands with a classic album to punt the Congos have maintained their integrity. We can only hope that they follow this belated Glasgow debut with a speedy return visit.