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Billy Cobham - Spectrum CD (album) cover

SPECTRUM

Billy Cobham

 

Jazz Rock/Fusion

4.27 | 666 ratings

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Mellotron Storm
Prog Reviewer
5 stars There's no question that Billy Cobham is one of the most talented and influencial drummers on the planet. I had high hopes going into this one that it would be another "Birds Of Fire" shred-fest. Not quite, although the first song delivers big time in that style. Jan Hammer, his old MAHIVISHNU ORCHESTRA band mate helps out, while Tommy Bolin doesn't disappoint on guitars. We also get some bass, sax, flugelhorn, trumpet and flute to round out this mostly jazzy sounding album.

"Quadrant 4" opens with heavy, fluid drumming while Bolin comes in with some intricate melodies. A fuller sound 1 1/2 minutes in. This is so impressive. Ripping guitar after 3 minutes as the bass continues to throb. "Searching For The Door / Spectrum" opens with intricate drum patterns before we get to "Spectrum" which is very jazzy with plenty of keys from Hammer, as well as flugelhorn and flute. Guitar 2 1/2 minutes in. The drumming is incredible ! Sax after 4 1/2 minutes with liquid keys a minute later. "Anxiety / Taurian Matador" opens like the last song with the first part taken up with Cobham's complex drumming skills.The second part kicks into gear quickly. This is another jazzy tune with some great keyboard and guitar solos trading fire as Cobham does his thing.

"Straths" opens with 2 minutes of spacey atmosphere. Nice touch. Drums then come in sounding so amazing. The guitar in this one is excellent as well. Great tune. "To The Women In My Life / Le Lis" opens with piano before the second part arrives which is light, uptempo and jazzy. Alto sax, trumpet and congas all chip in. Hammer offers up some moog as well. "Snoopy's Search / Red Baron" opens with experimental sounds and ends with percussion. The second part features a nice drum / bass rhythm as keys then guitar join in. Great sound 5 minutes in.

A must have for MAHAVISHNU ORCHESTRA fans but i'm sure you already know that.

Mellotron Storm | 5/5 |

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