CROSSWINDS

Billy Cobham's second album sure has it's moments but some of it is too mellow for my tastes. John Abercrombie helps out on guitar while George Duke takes care of the keyboards. The Brecker brothers are on horns. This just isn't as dynamic or as good in my opinion as "Spectrum".

It starts off with two laid back tracks beginning with "Spanish Moss". The wind is blowing as drums and percussion come in. Horns follow as it does pick up. Electric piano before 3 minutes. The wind blows in to end it. "Savannah The Serene" is as the title suggests very serene. Mostly horns, light drums and electric piano. "Storm" again opens with wind as some powerful drumming comes in.

"Flash Flood" is uptempo with drums, percussion and electric piano as horns play over top. Guitar 2 minutes in. There's so much going on ! "The Pleasant Pheasant" is much like the previous track as it is uptempo with a lot happening. Nice drum work before 3 minutes followed by percussion, electric piano then guitar. "Heather" is over 8 1/2 minutes of very mellow music. "Crosswind" is my favourite mostly because of the prominant guitar of Abercrombie.

This is still a really good album, just not as great as his debut. A low 4 stars.