Billy Cobham - Spectrum

1.    Quadrant 4
2.    Searching For The Right Door
3.    Spectrum
4.    Anxiety
5.    Taurian Matador
6.    Stratus
7.    To The Women In My Life
8.    Le Lis
9.    Snoopy's Search
10.    Red Baron

Billy Cobham is – and this is undisputed – one of the greatest drummers of recent decades. As a member of the legendary Mahavishnu Orchestra and through his collaboration with Miles Davis, as well as his unmistakable playing style and impressive live performances, the American musician gained great respect – far beyond the jazz and rock scenes. Shortly after leaving the Mahavishnu Orchestra, he released his legendary debut album “Spectrum”, which remains one of the most important and influential jazz albums of all time. Influenced himself by the music of the great Miles Davis, Cobham combines elements of jazz with rock and psychedelia. Funky grooves and expressive guitar melodies merge in a highly harmonious way, while the true soul of jazz is brought to life through Cobham’s extraordinary drumming skills. “Spectrum” reached number 1 on jazz charts worldwide and even climbed to number 26 on the American album charts. Cobham’s debut became a true crossover phenomenon, exerting a tremendous influence on the emerging funk, jazz and fusion movement.

“Spectrum” was recorded over three days, from May 14 to 16, 1973, at Electric Lady Studios in New York City and was later remixed at Trident Studios in London. Billy Cobham also served as producer for his Billham Cobly Productions, with Ken Scott as the recording engineer. Released later that same year, “Spectrum” features an impressive list of contributors, including keyboardist Jan Hammer, guitarist Tommy Bolin, electric bassist Lee Sklar, Ray Barretto on congas and Ron Carter on bass. Particularly memorable are Bolin’s guitar riffs — known from Zephyr, James Gang and Deep Purple — as he interacts beautifully with Cobham’s Mahavishnu bandmate Hammer.

As part of the “Atlantic 75 Series”, Analogue Productions pays tribute to this fusion masterpiece with a sonically outstanding reissue, lovingly mastered by legendary mastering engineer Kevin Gray at Cohearent Audio.