CROSSWINDS

After the tearing rock-jazz of his first solo album, Billy Cobham mellowed out somewhat on his second, with pleasing results. The theme of the album is nature and the increased use of horns - especially the trombone of Garnett Brown - add a more organic feel. It is not easy to review 1974's 'Crosswinds' without comparisons with its predecessor from 1973 so I will not even try. George Duke provides electric piano and other keyboards with more subtlety than Jan Hammer. Similarly, John Abercrombie's very tasteful guitar work is rich and interesting if less pyrotechnic than Tommy Bolin's on 'Spectrum'. Even the leader's drumming is less aggressive, though no less powerful (note the 'phased' solo on the 'Storm' section of the side-long suite 'Spanish Moss'). Perhaps there is a more funk-influenced feel on this album, certainly 'The Pleasant Pheasant' swings it's feathery ass off. With the Brecker Brothers horn propulsion throughout, 'Crosswinds' is a very satisfying and enlivening listen today. Could it be that this is a disc that evenly combines jazz, rock and funk components successfully? Worth seeking out to form your own opinion, I suggest. Vision & Innovation: 22/30; Playing & Composition: 27/30; Listener Enjoyment: 26/30; X-factor [eg: cover, extras, reviewer bias]: 8/10. Total: 83/100 -> 4 Stars.