Billy Cobham – Spectrum (Full album)

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Spectrum is the debut solo album by jazz fusion drummer Billy Cobham. The album was heavily influenced by the music of Miles Davis, with whom Cobham had previously collaborated extensively, and Cobham’s previous band Mahavishnu Orchestra.

AllMusic Review by Scott Yanow:
Drummer Billy Cobham was fresh from his success with the Mahavishnu Orchestra when he recorded his debut album, which is still his best. Most of the selections showcase Cobham in a quartet with keyboardist Jan Hammer, guitarist Tommy Bolin, and electric bassist Lee Sklar. Two other numbers include Joe Farrell on flute and soprano and trumpeter Jimmy Owens with guitarist John Tropea, Hammer, bassist Ron Carter, and Ray Barretto on congas. The generally high-quality compositions (which include “Red Baron”) make this fusion set a standout, a strong mixture of rock-ish rhythms and jazz improvising (https://www.allmusic.com/album/spectrum-mw0000312224).


Track listing:
All songs written and composed by Billy Cobham.

“Quadrant 4” – 4:20
“Searching for the Right Door” – 1:19 / “Spectrum” – 5:07
“Anxiety” – 1:41 / “Taurian Matador” – 3:03
“Stratus” – 9:48
“To the Women in My Life” – 0:51 / “Le Lis” – 3:20
“Snoopy’s Search” – 1:02 / “Red Baron” – 6:37
Though tracks 2, 3, 5, and 6 are designated as medleys, all of the component songs have clean breaks between them.

Personnel:
Billy Cobham – drums, percussion, production
Jan Hammer – electric and acoustic pianos, Moog synthesizer
Ken Scott – recording and re-mix engineering
Additional personnel on “Quadrant 4”, “Taurian Matador”, “Stratus”, and “Red Baron”
Tommy Bolin – guitar
Lee Sklar – electric bass
Additional personnel on “Spectrum” and “Le Lis”
Joe Farrell – soprano and alto saxes, flute
Jimmy Owens – flugelhorn, trumpet
John Tropea – guitar on “Le Lis”
Ron Carter – acoustic bass
Ray Barretto – congas

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Released: October 1, 1973
Recorded: May 14–May 16, 1973
Studio Electric Lady Studios, New York City; mixed at Trident Studios, London
Length: 37:17
Label: Atlantic
Producer: Billy Cobham