This is Billy Cobham's 3rd solo recording nether his ain elevate as well as is a fine follow-up to Crosswinds. The mini-suite "Solarization" non solely showcases the band's technical abilities, but besides Cobham's rigid compositional skills. It besides features a schizophrenic pianoforte solo ("Second Phase") from the underrated pianist Milcho Leviev, who sounds similar a mutation of Cecil Taylor as well as Bill Evans. The funky "Moon Germs," on which John Abercrombie is pushed to inspiring novel heights, became a Cobham classic. "The Moon Ain't Made of Green Cheese" is a beautiful flugelhorn solo yesteryear Randy Brecker backed yesteryear Cobham's debut on piano. The band stretches out on the lengthy "Sea of Tranquility," spell "Last Frontier" is a costless drum solo. This recording is highly recommended every bit Cobham yet sounds inspired.
Considering that 1974's 'Total Eclipse' is Mr.Cobham's 3rd studio recording (and was already inward pretty heady society inward his catalog fifty-fifty when it came out) this is a probable candidate for Cobham's best album as well as trust me I accept 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 groovy purpose of sustained intensity on the wonderful "Solarization" suite.
The championship concepts for around of these tunes refer to diverse astronomical phenomenon.And inward the illustration of the ultra funky "Lunarputians" simply an excuse to purpose aliens every bit an excuse to groove (a concept subsequently used alongside vocals yesteryear a guy named George Clinton).Some elements of this album are really heavily jazzy such every bit "Sea Of Tranquillity" as well as the championship rails emphasizes 1 of the around of import parts of this albums appeal-the tunes hither are unopen to of the all fourth dimension best compositions Cohbam has created.
It wasn't precisely a bad matter either that Billy had the help of 'The Billy Cohbam Players' every bit they are credited.These players include John Abercrombie,the Brecker's, as well as the magnificant Alex Blake on bass.And I country that funnily inward tribute to unopen to community radio DJ's inward my cervix of the woods playing acoustic jazz who beloved to listing EACH band fellow member followed yesteryear the musical instrument they play.They in all probability would never play an album similar this on their shows but if I had a radio demo I certain would play this....okay MASTERPIECE as well as proudly listing the musicians as well as what they play because without Billy AND the usual collaberation of these groovy artists this album would'nt last precisely what it was.Integrity at it's finest!
When I starting fourth dimension heard this album, the musicianship of Cobham as well as Co. blew me away. This is unopen to of the tightest, well-written fusion cloth e'er presented to the jazz-buying public. I accept been waiting for them to unloose this on CD since CDs were invented!
You cannot become incorrect alongside this album if you lot are a fan of the fusion movement of the 70's. I would rank this as well as unopen to of the other Cobham albums to a higher house fifty-fifty McLaughlin as well as Mahavishnu orchestra inward damage of ground-breaking musicianship as well as technical perfection!
Cobham is the best drummer as well as on this album he shows his composing ability. Total Eclipse is yesteryear far the best inward the Cobham collection inward my book. John Abercrombie's guitar move is groovy as well as the opening slice volition move out you lot on the border of your seat. There's a piffling funk as well as a piffling jazz as well as a whole lotta groovy 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. Moon Germs (4:54)
6. The Moon 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 Moon 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 – starting fourth dimension guitar solo on "Moon Germs"
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