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Thread: Billy Cobham "Spectrum"

  1. #1
    Join Date: May 2010

    Location: Vancouver, Canada

    Posts: 2,166
    I'm Alex.

    Default Billy Cobham "Spectrum"

    For some reason Cobham's "Spectrum" LP is very hard to find, and is fetching insane prices online ($400.00, oh my! https://www.amazon.com/Spectrum-Bill...=UTF8&qid=&sr=).

    A few days ago I lucked out while crate digging in my local record store and found the LP! The price was right -- 2 bucks (yes, two bucks!)

    Yes, the LP looked dirty, with a lot of debris, dust and fingerprints, but I didn't let that discourage me. I bought it, took it home, cleaned it very carefully in my RCM with the goat hair brush. I deep cleaned it twice, vacuumed every last bit of the cleaning fluid off, then carefully rinsed it in distilled water and thoroughly vacuumed the last drop off.

    Lo and behold (and behear!) the LP plays like brand new. Barely a scratch can be heard, no pops or clicks or any other unwanted sounds. The sound coming out of this LP is insanely epic (I almost shed tears listening to Billy's thunderous drums, which literally rocked my house). My CD and hi rez versions of "Spectrum" sound utterly pathetic compared to this LP.

    And now the question: I seem to remember from my early days of collecting records that my original LP opened with some banter, you could hear Cobham laugh hysterically, and only then launch into the thunderous "Quadrant 4". But on this LP that opening part is missing. Anyone knows why?
    Don't you just hate it when you cannot detect where the post ends and a signature line begins?

    Alex.

  2. #2
    Join Date: Oct 2012

    Location: The Black Country

    Posts: 6,089
    I'm Alan.

    Default

    Epic find Alex, well done.

  3. #3
    Join Date: Mar 2016

    Location: Barnet, london UK

    Posts: 2,146
    I'm Adam.

    Default

    Well done Alex!, but Billy C's Spectrum is readily available for £15 - £20, mint!!
    I have no idea why Amazon is trying that price on...check Discogs..

    Quote Originally Posted by magiccarpetride View Post
    For some reason Cobham's "Spectrum" LP is very hard to find, and is fetching insane prices online ($400.00, oh my! https://www.amazon.com/Spectrum-Bill...=UTF8&qid=&sr=).

    A few days ago I lucked out while crate digging in my local record store and found the LP! The price was right -- 2 bucks (yes, two bucks!)

    Yes, the LP looked dirty, with a lot of debris, dust and fingerprints, but I didn't let that discourage me. I bought it, took it home, cleaned it very carefully in my RCM with the goat hair brush. I deep cleaned it twice, vacuumed every last bit of the cleaning fluid off, then carefully rinsed it in distilled water and thoroughly vacuumed the last drop off.

    Lo and behold (and behear!) the LP plays like brand new. Barely a scratch can be heard, no pops or clicks or any other unwanted sounds. The sound coming out of this LP is insanely epic (I almost shed tears listening to Billy's thunderous drums, which literally rocked my house). My CD and hi rez versions of "Spectrum" sound utterly pathetic compared to this LP.

    And now the question: I seem to remember from my early days of collecting records that my original LP opened with some banter, you could hear Cobham laugh hysterically, and only then launch into the thunderous "Quadrant 4". But on this LP that opening part is missing. Anyone knows why?
    "lack of passion is fatal"


    Vinyl: Thorens TD-124mk2 / SME-312 Aluminium 'special' / SME M2-9R / STEREO: Etsuro Urushi Cobalt / Shure M3D / Ortofon SPU A95 / Cartridge Man Music Master / Shure - SC35C (US) / SAEC C3 MC MONO: Miyajima Zero B 0.7mil mono / Miyajima Premium 1.0 / Amps & SUTs: Radford STA25 mk3 / AD Audio 'Satchmo2' pre & LCR phono / Hashimoto HM-7 SUT / ETR-MONO SUT Digital: Audio Note 4.1 (with DAC5 upgrades) DAC / Roon / Tidal Speakers: Tannoy 12" MGs' in RFC custom 'Rutland' Cabinets with RFC crossovers / Tannoy ST-100 Super Tweeters Cables: LFD Grainless phono / RFC Mercury / Duelund DCA16GA tinned copper / Kimber 12TC / SW1X Audio Design USB-SPdif / Duelund DCA20GA interconnects / SW1X Audio SPDIF Aero 6 / Mains Power Conditioner / Box Furniture rack / Audiodesk Systeme Vinyl Cleaner / a very beautiful & understanding Wife!

  4. #4
    Join Date: Apr 2011

    Location: Surrey

    Posts: 4,162
    I'm Mike.

    Default

    I have the CD and I rate it as Cobham's best, with Jan Hammer giving his best too.

    His best drumming is on Birds of Fire just in case you don't have it. Unfortunately not that well engineered
    TAD CD / DAC / Pre, Technics 1210, MCRU PSU, Mike New Bearing & Platter, Stillpoints LP1 weight, Speedy Steve Ebony armboard, Fidelity Research FR64FX arm, Ortofon SPU. Aurorasound VIDA Phono Pre Amp, TAD Power Amp, TAD E1 speakers. Coherent RTZ 3 Grounding box, Coherent grounding cables, Creaktiv racks. Coherent Mains Cables. SR Blue Fuse. Interconnects : Coherent and Yannis 223.5 Connect Litz. Coherent speaker cable. Audio Magic Transcendence Conditioner. Coherent mains socket. Mains Filters : , PS Audio Harvesters, Russ Andrews Purifiers, Tacima, Vertex. Black Ravioli and RDC supports. Electric Beach S1NX platforms for TAD CD and Technics. Ferrite chokes everywhere except the above. Ears, brain

    Mike

  5. #5
    Join Date: Mar 2016

    Location: Barnet, london UK

    Posts: 2,146
    I'm Adam.

    Default

    Crosswinds in MHO is Billy's best. Amazing record.
    "lack of passion is fatal"


    Vinyl: Thorens TD-124mk2 / SME-312 Aluminium 'special' / SME M2-9R / STEREO: Etsuro Urushi Cobalt / Shure M3D / Ortofon SPU A95 / Cartridge Man Music Master / Shure - SC35C (US) / SAEC C3 MC MONO: Miyajima Zero B 0.7mil mono / Miyajima Premium 1.0 / Amps & SUTs: Radford STA25 mk3 / AD Audio 'Satchmo2' pre & LCR phono / Hashimoto HM-7 SUT / ETR-MONO SUT Digital: Audio Note 4.1 (with DAC5 upgrades) DAC / Roon / Tidal Speakers: Tannoy 12" MGs' in RFC custom 'Rutland' Cabinets with RFC crossovers / Tannoy ST-100 Super Tweeters Cables: LFD Grainless phono / RFC Mercury / Duelund DCA16GA tinned copper / Kimber 12TC / SW1X Audio Design USB-SPdif / Duelund DCA20GA interconnects / SW1X Audio SPDIF Aero 6 / Mains Power Conditioner / Box Furniture rack / Audiodesk Systeme Vinyl Cleaner / a very beautiful & understanding Wife!

  6. #6
    Join Date: Jul 2011

    Location: Northamptonshire

    Posts: 1,914
    I'm Peter.

    Default

    Saw him about forty years ago at the Victoria Apollo, in the Jack Bruce Band, with Clem Clempson and David Sancious. I don't recall him playing anything flash, but you could still tell he was top-notch. Jack was a different class that night, though ... a truly great musician.

  7. #7
    Join Date: May 2010

    Location: Vancouver, Canada

    Posts: 2,166
    I'm Alex.

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by WESTLOWER View Post
    Crosswinds in MHO is Billy's best. Amazing record.
    I remember hearing Crosswinds when I was young, and being underwhelmed by it, especially after comparing it to Spectrum. What is it that you think makes it Billy's best?
    Don't you just hate it when you cannot detect where the post ends and a signature line begins?

    Alex.

  8. #8
    Join Date: Mar 2016

    Location: Barnet, london UK

    Posts: 2,146
    I'm Adam.

    Default

    Crosswinds is a bloody fine record
    I thinks the Chemistry on 'The Pleasant Pheasant' from that LP is just incredible, and Brecker's solo is top draw.
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l-b_h8i9eWU

    Spanish Moss is just sublime
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K-hZaHbP1J8


    "Underwhelming" is not something i'd ever associate with Billy Cobham

    Although I've just listening to Spectrum again as I type and it is a fantastic record.
    I forgot how good, so I will take it back... and just say i have a soft spot for 'Crosswinds'
    BTW I saw Prince perform 'Stratus' live a few times too, WOW he could really kick it!
    but not the drumming craft of Mr Cobham.

    The first time I attempted to see Billy 'live in concert', I was a fresh faced 17 year old,
    bought a ticket (alone) to see him 'Live' at Fairfield Halls in Croydon, I tipped up waiting to hear all this
    great live music...It quickly became apparent i'd purchased a ticket to a Drum Clinic very interesting watching Billy solo
    and talk but not so interesting listening to chaps (mostly heavy metal drum fanatics!) asking about particular Cymbals and technics for 2 hours!






    Quote Originally Posted by magiccarpetride View Post
    I remember hearing Crosswinds when I was young, and being underwhelmed by it, especially after comparing it to Spectrum. What is it that you think makes it Billy's best?
    "lack of passion is fatal"


    Vinyl: Thorens TD-124mk2 / SME-312 Aluminium 'special' / SME M2-9R / STEREO: Etsuro Urushi Cobalt / Shure M3D / Ortofon SPU A95 / Cartridge Man Music Master / Shure - SC35C (US) / SAEC C3 MC MONO: Miyajima Zero B 0.7mil mono / Miyajima Premium 1.0 / Amps & SUTs: Radford STA25 mk3 / AD Audio 'Satchmo2' pre & LCR phono / Hashimoto HM-7 SUT / ETR-MONO SUT Digital: Audio Note 4.1 (with DAC5 upgrades) DAC / Roon / Tidal Speakers: Tannoy 12" MGs' in RFC custom 'Rutland' Cabinets with RFC crossovers / Tannoy ST-100 Super Tweeters Cables: LFD Grainless phono / RFC Mercury / Duelund DCA16GA tinned copper / Kimber 12TC / SW1X Audio Design USB-SPdif / Duelund DCA20GA interconnects / SW1X Audio SPDIF Aero 6 / Mains Power Conditioner / Box Furniture rack / Audiodesk Systeme Vinyl Cleaner / a very beautiful & understanding Wife!

  9. #9
    Join Date: Apr 2011

    Location: Surrey

    Posts: 4,162
    I'm Mike.

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by WESTLOWER View Post
    Crosswinds in MHO is Billy's best. Amazing record.
    I have Crosswinds LP and give it 5/10

    Spectrum well ahead and the one to get 8/10
    TAD CD / DAC / Pre, Technics 1210, MCRU PSU, Mike New Bearing & Platter, Stillpoints LP1 weight, Speedy Steve Ebony armboard, Fidelity Research FR64FX arm, Ortofon SPU. Aurorasound VIDA Phono Pre Amp, TAD Power Amp, TAD E1 speakers. Coherent RTZ 3 Grounding box, Coherent grounding cables, Creaktiv racks. Coherent Mains Cables. SR Blue Fuse. Interconnects : Coherent and Yannis 223.5 Connect Litz. Coherent speaker cable. Audio Magic Transcendence Conditioner. Coherent mains socket. Mains Filters : , PS Audio Harvesters, Russ Andrews Purifiers, Tacima, Vertex. Black Ravioli and RDC supports. Electric Beach S1NX platforms for TAD CD and Technics. Ferrite chokes everywhere except the above. Ears, brain

    Mike

  10. #10
    montesquieu Guest

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by petrat View Post
    Saw him about forty years ago at the Victoria Apollo, in the Jack Bruce Band, with Clem Clempson and David Sancious. I don't recall him playing anything flash, but you could still tell he was top-notch. Jack was a different class that night, though ... a truly great musician.
    I saw that lineup as well, but in Glasgow (in my first year at uni!), the 'Jack Bruce and Friends' LP came out of it. Awesome. I recall wondering why Sancious was wasting his time with that American blowhard Bruce Springsteen (long before his 'national treasure days of course). I was already aware of Cobham from other stuff with George Duke etc. As you say Jack Bruce was phenomenal.

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