Billy Cobham

Shabazz captures Cobham's Total Eclipse band in a live setting, and contains two originals, "Shabazz" and "Tenth Pin." The other two songs, "Taurian Matador" and "Red Baron," which debuted on Cobham's classic recording, Spectrum, are given an impressive update. All of the songs are blowing sessions allowing each musician ample time to develop their ideas. Cobham attacks his drums with a vengeance on the introduction to "Shabazz" and on his powerful solo for "Tenth Pin." This is a good, old-fashioned blowing session that captures one of Cobham's best bands at their peak.

Drummer Billy Cobham was fresh from his success with the Mahavishnu Orchestra when he recorded his debut album, which is still his best. Most of the selections showcase Cobham in a quartet with keyboardist Jan Hammer, guitarist Tommy Bolin, and electric bassist Lee Sklar. Two other numbers include Joe Farrell on flute and soprano and trumpeter Jimmy Owens with guitarist John Tropea, Hammer, bassist Ron Carter, and Ray Barretto on congas. The generally high-quality compositions (which include "Red Baron") make this fusion set a standout, a strong mixture of rock-ish rhythms and jazz improvising.

Billy Cobham had always incorporated elements of disco and funk into his solo recordings; however, this is the most painful example. Even his die-hard fans haven't forgiven him for this embarrassment…

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…

2-CD containing both "Hope street" and "Powerplay" albums. A highly acclaimed drummer than need no introduction in the fusion / jazz world, once behind the drums of MAHAVISHNU ORCHESTRA.

Today marks the 70th birthday of one of the greatest drummers of this, or any generation; the remarkable Billy Cobham. From his earliest recordings with Horace Silver, Miles Davis and Milt Jackson, to his scintillating and seminal work with John McLaughlin's Mahavishnu Orchestra, keyboardist George Duke, and his own groups, like Culture Mix, Asere and the Spectrum 40; Cobham has thrilled audiences around the world by bringing his incomparable talents as a composer, drummer, and producer to the forefront of jazz, rock, fusion and world music. His latest effort is the eagerly awaited "Tales from the Skeleton Coast", part 3 of a series dedicated to his Panamanian parents.

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.