Billy Cobham Spectrum (1973) [2001_hdtracks 24 96]

If ever anybody deserved a two-disc anthology of his offerings as a solo artist it's fusion drummer Billy Cobham. After making his stellar debut with John McLaughlin's Mahavishnu Orchestra, Cobham made eight records for Atlantic from 1973-1978. To varying degrees, these recordings were true statements on the state of jazz-rock fusion. Many blame Cobham for being a member of the technical-expertise-is-everything school, and to a degree it may be true. But the tracks collected here by Barry Benson and Nick Sahakian provide evidence of something else entirely: that along with technical expertise in spades, Cobham had soul, groove, and a handle on how powerful rock & roll could contribute to jazz improvisation if harnessed in the right way. And every single track on these two discs does exactly that and more.

Hardcore fans of 1970s jazz-funk, look no further. Sworn enemies of it, consider making an exception. This five-disc set repackages Mahavishnu Orchestra drummer Billy Cobham's prolific early bandleading years between 1973 and 1975, and it bristles with rock-guitar fireworks, hyperactive drums and synths, and exclamatory James Brown-like horn riffs. But Cobham was, and remains, a subtle musical thinker as well as a phenomenal drummer, and the set harnesses bold ideas, thematic variety, and some awesome soloing from the likes of the Brecker Brothers, guitarists John Abercrombie and John Scofield, and the little-known but gifted Bulgarian keyboardist Milcho Leviev. The earliest session, Spectrum (featuring soon-to-be-Deep Purple guitarist Tommy Bolin), is the leanest and meanest.

Drummer Billy Cobham, guitarist Bill Bickford, and bassist Wolfgang Schmid form a creative fusion trio on Paradox. The result is a powerhouse addition to Cobham's discography. The music ranges from the roiling heavy metal sludge of Bickford's "Four More Years," to the full-on funk of Schmid's "Fonkey Donkey," to Cobham's calmly lyrical "Walking in Five." Schmid is the principal writer, followed by Bickford, then Cobham. The best way to set the scene is with Paradox's version of "Quadrant 4." The original was the defining track on Cobham's 1973 debut release, Spectrum. Coming on the heels of Cobham's work with John McLaughlin's original Mahavishnu Orchestra, Spectrum is one of the essential documents of fusion's classic era.

Billy Cobham - Fruit From The Loom (2007) {Billy Cobham Self-released}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 420 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 151 Mb
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© 2007 Billy Cobham Self-released | [none]
Jazz / Fusion / Jazz Funk / Drums

Musicians team are impressive, including great Brian Auger ( and in some places you can hear his excellent keyboard sound), bassist Victor Bailey ( ex -Weather Report), big brass section and team of african drummers. Some Cobham old great compositions are included as well (Zanzeebar Dreams, Spectrum and Crosswinds). So, problem is not musicians or musical material, the problem is music itself.

This 2CD set illustrates fairly well Mr. Cobham's evolution through samples from 2 decades, extracting material from 6 albums, and presents it chronologically: Disc 1 begins with 3 tracks from 1985's "Warning", opening with a "re-vamped" version of "Stratus", a track originally released on his first solo album "Spectrum". Unfortunately missing on this compilation is "Mozaik", perhaps the most creative track on "Warning".
The next 5 tracks come from 1986's "PowerPlay", including all 6 parts of the "Summit Afrique" suite (only 4 parts were on the vinyl), demonstrating quite clearly the versatility of this creative drummer.
Disc 1 closes with 3 tracks from the "Picture This" album, released in 1987. Perhaps the weakest of his 3 albums for the GRP label, there's still some amazing performances included here…

Electric studio project with Billy Cobham and group of Italian musicians with guest appearances by Michael and Randy Brecker, Eddie Gomez, and even Gregg Brown from Osibisa. Billy lays down a solid groove and the musicians solo over and around the beat, through instrumental and vocal tracks. The group perform original jazz/funk/fusion material, and a new version of Billy Cobham's 'Red Baron' with vocals.