BILLY COBHAM – Spectrum (S.Y.E.O.R. 2023 Reissue) – LP – Crystal Clear Diamond Vinyl

LP – Limited Edition 140g Crystal Clear Diamond Vinyl (Warner ‘Start Your Ears Off Right’ 2023 Reissue).

Billy Cobham‘s debut record after making a name for himself collaborating with Miles Davis and the Mahavishnu Orchestra remains a remarkable moment in progressive jazz. “Stratus” would later be sampled on Massive Attack‘s “Safe From Harm” and featured in Grand Theft Auto IV radio.

Billy Cobham is one of the greatest jazz-fusion drummers from the last decades. Shortly after he left the band Mahavishnu Orchestra he released his debut solo album Spectrum. Influenced by the music of Miles Davis he combines elements from the jazz with rock and psychedelia. From the subtle parts to the more aggressive moments, its an album in which Cobham shows his identity to the public. The music quartet recorded some lengthy pieces, out of which Stratus is the absolute masterpiece.

The funky grooves and effective guitar melodies blend together very well and the jazz comes alive in the outstanding drum play by Cobham. Quadrant 4 is another great track in which the music erupts and the synergy between the musicians can be felt. As a member of the Mahavishnu Orchestra and in his collaboration with Miles Davis, Billy Cobham earned recognition for his impressive playstyle and live performance.

(Original RD: October 1973)

Tracklist:

A1. Quadrant 4 [4:30]
A2a. Searching For The Right Door
A2b. Spectrum [6:33]
A3a. Anxiety
A3b. Taurian Matador [4:45]

B1. Stratus [9:50]
B2a. To The Women In My Life]
B2b. Le Lis [4:00]
B3a. Snoopy’s Search
B3b. Red Baron [7:39]