Billy Cobham - Spectrum (1973) {2023 Kevin Gray Mastered Vinyl}

Spectrum is Billy Cobham's solo debut as composer and he takes us through familiar musical realms, reminiscent of both his past work with Miles Davis as well as the aggressive depiction of Jazz Fusion composed by The Mahavishnu Orchestra. 'Quadrant 4' starts off the album on a high note. Immediately, without hesitation or restrain, the music erupts with the passionate dexterity of it's musicians. Tommy Bolin and Billy Cobham have developed quite the synergy during the recording sessions, and it can be easily perceived by this performance alone. Billy Cobham sets up the rhythm with his frantic-paced drumming as Tommy Bolin bombards the listener with a barrage of guitar notes. And it isn't long until Spectrum has us descending into the abstract realms of Psychedelia. Though the Psychedelic influence are only mild in this piece, there are numerous guitar effects and synthesizer decorations throughout Spectrum that are very reflective of Miles' electric period, but even more reminiscent of Progressive Rock. The album experiments with the extended instrumental improvisation of Jazz, with the ambient touches found in typical Progressive Rock. For example, the album's concluding section, 'Snoopy's Search' and 'Red Baron', begins with a Moog synthesizer that induces a cosmic sound before descending into a more familiar Jazz orchestration.

The mood of this album is also very versatile, as it contains moments of both delicacy and aggressiveness. 'Stratus' is perhaps the album's highlight. The composition projects itself as a mellow track, emphasizing a Funk influenced groove but there are moments of elevation when Tommy Bolin's eruption of flourishing guitar arrangements completely take over. 'Searching For The Right Door' is another exciting track but it induces a more Jazzy vibe, due to the dominance the brass sections have over the other instruments. The compositions with a more relaxed tempo tend to favor a more Jazz influenced sound rather than Rock, 'Le Lis' is an example of this. It begins with a piano solo referred to as 'To The Women In My Life', and it's a fitting name because the music reflects a romantic tone. But as the intro fades, we find ourselves within a gentle realm. 'Le Lis' has such a smooth texture with an almost Salsa-like rhythm that gives it a feeling of looseness, almost encouraging the listener to dance to it's melody. Spectrum is a truly enjoyable album, and one I recommend to any admirer of Jazz Fusion. The musicianship in this album is intense, every member has truly developed a sensational synergy during the recording sessions. This is definitely one for any fan of The Mahavishnu Orchestra, as it's sound will be sure to keep you intrigued right to the very end. (Hernan McKennan)

Recorded at Electric Lady Studios, New York, N.Y. Re-mixed at Trident Studios, London, England Produced by William E. Cobham Jr. for Bilham Cobly Productions, Inc.

Billy Cobham, drums
Tommy Bolin, guitar
Jan Hammer, electric piano, acoustic piano, Moog synthesizer
Lee Sklar, Fender bass
Joe Farrell, flute, soprano & alto saxophones
Jimmy Owens, flugelhorn, trumpet
John Tropea, guitar
Ron Carter, acoustic bass
Ray Barretto, congas