This is artist/billy-cobham-mn0000767741">Billy Cobham's 3rd solo recording nether his ain advert in addition to is a fine follow-up to Crosswinds. The mini-suite "Solarization" non exclusively showcases the band's technical abilities, but likewise artist/cobham-mn0000767741">Cobham's rigid compositional skills. It likewise features a schizophrenic pianoforte solo ("Second Phase") from the underrated pianist artist/milcho-leviev-mn0000897581">Milcho Leviev, who sounds similar a mutation of artist/cecil-taylor-mn0000988386">Cecil Taylor in addition to artist/bill-evans-mn0000764702">Bill Evans. The funky "Moon Germs," on which artist/john-abercrombie-mn0000214546">John Abercrombie is pushed to inspiring novel heights, became a artist/cobham-mn0000767741">Cobham classic. "The Luna Ain't Made of Green Cheese" is a beautiful flugelhorn solo past times artist/randy-brecker-mn0000332725">Randy Brecker backed past times artist/cobham-mn0000767741">Cobham's debut on piano. The band stretches out on the lengthy "Sea of Tranquility," piece "Last Frontier" is a gratis drum solo. This recording is highly recommended equally artist/cobham-mn0000767741">Cobham yet sounds inspired.
Considering that 1974's 'Total Eclipse' is Mr.Cobham's 3rd studio recording (and was already inwards pretty heady fellowship inwards his catalog fifty-fifty when it came out) this is a probable candidate for Cobham's best album in addition to trust me I bring heard around of them.Why?Because alongside the exception of the closing "Last Frontier" (a drum solo) this album is basically devoid of alot of flashy bombastic drumming on Cobham's part.Just bang-up purpose of sustained intensity on the wonderful "Solarization" suite.
The championship concepts for around of these tunes refer to diverse astronomical phenomenon.And inwards the example of the ultra funky "Lunarputians" only an excuse to purpose aliens equally an excuse to groove (a concept afterwards used alongside vocals past times a guy named George Clinton).Some elements of this album are really heavily jazzy such equally "Sea Of Tranquillity" in addition to the championship runway emphasizes i of the around of import parts of this albums appeal-the tunes hither are about of the all fourth dimension best compositions Cohbam has created.
It wasn't just a bad affair either that Billy had the help of 'The Billy Cohbam Players' equally they are credited.These players include John Abercrombie,the Brecker's, in addition to the magnificant Alex Blake on bass.And I nation that funnily inwards tribute to about community radio DJ's inwards my cervix of the woods playing acoustic jazz who dearest to listing EACH band fellow member followed past times the musical instrument they play.They likely would never play an album similar this on their shows but if I had a radio demo I certain would play this....okay MASTERPIECE in addition to proudly listing the musicians in addition to what they play because without Billy AND the usual collaberation of these bang-up artists this album would'nt endure just what it was.Integrity at it's finest!
When I get-go heard this album, the musicianship of Cobham in addition to Co. blew me away. This is about of the tightest, well-written fusion cloth always presented to the jazz-buying public. I bring been waiting for them to unloose this on CD since CDs were invented!
You cannot larn incorrect alongside this album if you lot are a fan of the fusion movement of the 70's. I would rank this in addition to about of the other Cobham albums higher upwards fifty-fifty McLaughlin in addition to Mahavishnu orchestra inwards price of ground-breaking musicianship in addition to technical perfection!
Cobham is the best drummer in addition to on this album he shows his composing ability. Total Eclipse is past times far the best inwards the Cobham collection inwards my book. John Abercrombie's guitar function is bang-up in addition to the opening slice volition move out you lot on the border of your seat. There's a piddling funk in addition to a piddling jazz in addition to a whole lotta bang-up drumming throughout. GET THIS MUSIC IN YOUR HANDS!!!!
Tracks Listing:
1. Solarization: Solarization/Second Phase/Crescent Sun/Voyage/Solarization-Recapitulation (11:10)
2. Lunarputians (2:33)
3. Total Eclipse (5:59)
4. Bandits (2:30)
5. Luna Germs (4:54)
6. The Luna Ain't Made Of Green Cheese (0:58)
7. Sea Of Tranquility (10:44)
8. Last Frontier (5:22)
Total Time: 44:10
Personnel:
John Abercrombie – electrical & ovation guitars
Michael Brecker – flute, soprano & tenor saxes
Randy Brecker – trumpet, flugelhorn
Glenn Ferris – tenor & bass trombones
Billy Cobham – traps, timpani, acoustic pianoforte on "The Luna Ain't Made Of Green Cheese & "The Last Frontier"
Milcho Leviev – keyboards
Alex Blake – electrical bass
Additional musicians
David Earle Johnson – congas on "Solarization" & "Moon Germs"
Sue Evan – marimba on "Solarization"
Cornell Dupree – get-go guitar solo on "Moon Germs"
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