Billy Cobham "Spectrum"

[magiccarpetride]

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-Billy-Cobham/dp/B00478FS30/ref=tmm_vnl_swatch_0?_encoding=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?

[Firebottle]

Epic find Alex, well done.

[WESTLOWER]

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..


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-Billy-Cobham/dp/B00478FS30/ref=tmm_vnl_swatch_0?_encoding=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?

[MikeMusic]

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

[WESTLOWER]

Crosswinds in MHO is Billy's best. Amazing record.

[petrat]

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.

[magiccarpetride]

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?

[WESTLOWER]

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 :lol:

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 :lol: :doh: 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!







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?

[MikeMusic]

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

[montesquieu]

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.

[magiccarpetride]

I have Crosswinds LP and give it 5/10

Spectrum well ahead and the one to get 8/10

How would you rate "Total Eclipse"?

[dantheman91]

I have it on vinyl somewhere must find it....Excellent from memory

[Light Dependant Resistor]

Its also available within a 5 CD set, called Original Album series
the other 4 are Total eclipse, Crosswinds, A funky thide of Sings
and Shabazz ( live in Europe )

Tommy Bolin https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tommy_Bolin
is the guitarist on Spectrum

[MikeMusic]

How would you rate "Total Eclipse"?

5/10 (sorry...)

[magiccarpetride]

5/10 (sorry...)

Matches my memory of that album. The reason I'm asking is there is a used copy of "Total Eclipse" in the record store around the corner, and I'm debating whether to blow $10.00 on it?

[MikeMusic]

I wouldn't.

Thinking of Jan Hammer on Spectrum.....
If you can find Jan Hammer's Oh Yeah that's worth a fortune
:)

One of the albums of all time

[magiccarpetride]

I wouldn't.

Thinking of Jan Hammer on Spectrum.....
If you can find Jan Hammer's Oh Yeah that's worth a fortune
:)

One of the albums of all time

I have it, fantastic playing (especially by Steve Kindler on killer violin!) Sadly, the pressing I have is of substandard sound quality. The condition is very good, but the overall sound is a bit dull and lacks dynamics.

Is your pressing better sounding?

[MikeMusic]

I have it, fantastic playing (especially by Steve Kindler on killer violin!) Sadly, the pressing I have is of substandard sound quality. The condition is very good, but the overall sound is a bit dull and lacks dynamics.

Is your pressing better sounding?

Pressing is ok.
Slightly worn but not at all bad.
Have it on CD too

Do you have Black Sheep and Like Children ? - only falling slightly short of Oh Yeah