Learn Paradox - 1996 Paradox

Drummer Billy Cobham, guitarist Bill Bickford, in addition to bassist Wolfgang Schmid shape a creative fusion trio on Paradox. The final result is a powerhouse improver to Cobham's discography. The music ranges from the roiling heavy metallic sludge of Bickford's "Four More Years," to the full-on funk of Schmid's "Fonkey Donkey," to Cobham's calmly lyrical "Walking inwards Five." Schmid is the principal writer, followed past times Bickford, in addition to thus Cobham. The best means to laid upwards the scene is amongst Paradox's version of "Quadrant 4." The original was the defining rails on Cobham's 1973 debut release, Spectrum. Coming on the heels of Cobham's run amongst John McLaughlin's original Mahavishnu Orchestra, Spectrum is ane of the essential documents of fusion's classic era. The original "Quadrant 4" was a showcase for the belatedly Tommy Bolin -- a bona fide stone star of James Gang fame. The melding of Bolin's speed-freak boogie amongst Cobham's pummeling whirlwind got the attending of jazz in addition to stone fans alike, achieving most "hit single" condition inwards both camps. For their version most a quarter-century later, Cobham in addition to fellowship notch the measuring dorsum a bit, getting to a greater extent than heft in addition to torque without losing whatsoever of the original's guitar god flash (Schmid most steals the demo amongst his ain axe-slinging).

While Paradox is a tripartite accomplishment, it is also a personal render to shape for Cobham, who, after the hope of his early on solo career, became involved inwards many forgettable projects (does anybody retrieve Bobby & the Midnites?). Paradox doesn't tally the howling, apocalyptic thunder of the Mahavishnu Orchestra, simply it is the equal of Cobham's ain triumphant commencement release.

Paradox was ane fine ability fusion trio. Bassist Schmid is a known quantity inwards Germany. His commencement marks were made inwards Klaus Doldinger's grouping Passport. He has won many German linguistic communication music awards. New York guitarist Bill Bickford spent a decade inwards the band DeFunkt. Billy Cobham is Billy Cobham. The musical rhythm department of Cobham in addition to Schmid start "Shoes inwards Seven" amongst a rocking beat out similar inwards audio in addition to role to Cobham's previous plough inwards the historic "Right Off" from Miles Davis's Tribute to Jack Johnson. Bickford goes amongst the menstruation past times throwing inwards or thus real effective funky youngster ninth chords. As Bickford solos it appears he is indeed paying tribute to "Right Off" every bit he mimics John McLaughlin's guitar sound. His chord noesis seems to live real advanced. Cobham has engaged inwards many guitar/drum "duels" over the years. There is ane of those on this cutting every bit well. However, Bickford arms himself amongst solely chords. It would seem he would live outmanned every bit Cobham unremarkably goes into battle against single-note gunslingers who tin shoot faster than the speed of sound. Instead Bickford matches every drum beat out amongst every chord change. (Or is it the other means around?) It is quite an impressive feat either way. It is musical, too. Who knew that Billy Cobham was rocking things out ane time again inwards a fantastic jazz-rock trio inwards the middle of the somewhat fusion-stale 1990s?

Before fusion engaged inwards a seemingly unbreakable beloved matter amongst elevators, it amplified stadiums globally amongst joyous eruptions of lacerating electrical guitars in addition to orchestral keyboards intertwined amongst blaring horn sections. Underneath those plugged-in audio collages were molten hotbeds of relentless stone in addition to manus percussion that propelled all the pyro-madness amongst funk-informed grooves. Recalling the glory slickophonic years of fusion-rock, Paradox thumps mightily amongst the same frenetic electricity, extroverted pyrotechnics in addition to herculean strength that elevated the careers of Miles Davis, Herbie Hancock, in addition to Weather Report to stone star status. Comprised of fusion veterans, drummer Billy Cobham, bassist Wolfgang Schmid, in addition to guitarist Bill Bickford, this all-star trio stomps similar a thumperasaurus monster abruptly awakening from a deep sleep. The combined steroid ability of Cobham's muscular backbeats in addition to nasty drum fills, Schmid's thick elastic basslines, in addition to Bickford's electromagnolia guitar musings are a strength to live reckoned. From the opening "Fonkey Donkey" which strangely gallops amongst a subversive nod to Ornette Coleman's rowdier electrical years, to Cobham's '70s classic, "Quadrant 4," which features the drumming juggernaut hammering or thus of his best soloing inwards recent years, this trio goes for broke amongst nearly every note. Although subtlety isn't a original component inwards their repertoire, the relative soft "Walking In Five" in addition to "Late Nite" offering brief moments of quieter pleasures. Light years from beingness a classic inwards whatsoever sort, Paradox does notwithstanding render ample evidence that the '70s jazz era was non a consummate waste.

Track listing:

1 Fonkey Donkey (Wolfgang Schmid-Grandy) 5:14
2 Four More Years (Bill Bickford) 8:52
3 Quadrant four (Billy Cobham) 5:28
4 Myohmyohyeoye (Wolfgang Schmid-Grandy) 9:25
5 Walking In Five (Billy Cobham) 6:35
6 Jam O'James (Bill Bickford) 5:21
7 Late Nite (Bill Bickford) 9:03
8 Shoes In Seven (Wolfgang Schmid-Grandy) 4:58
9 Five In (Wolfgang Schmid-Grandy) 6:17

Personnel:

- Billy Cobham / drums
- Wolfgang Schmid / bass
- Bill Bickford / guitars