Often considered one of the first and finest jazz rock fusion albums ever recorded, legendary drummer Billy Cobham's masterpiece "Spectrum" continues to enthrall both old and new fans alike. Featuring the core quartet of Billy Cobham, the late great Tommy Bolin (lead guitars), Leland Sklar (bass) and Jan Hammer (keyboards), "Spectrum" was a powerful explosion of sound and vibrations that has never been duplicated.
Starting things off with the flying blues masterwork "Quadrant 4", which highlights the stellar lead guitar of Tommy Bolin, you know your musical journey is going to be a fantastic one indeed.
Recorded at Electric Lady Studios in 1973 during the same time Tommy Bolin was in The James Gang, Billy Cobham (Miles Davis/Mahavishnu Orchestra) had known the late genius during his tenure with Zephyr, and along with kingpins like Leland Sklar on his powerful bass guitar, and fellow Mahavishnu Orchestra keyboard pioneer Jan Hammer, the stage is truly set for even more greatness.
"Spectrum" contains possibly one of the most important fusion tracks of all time with "Stratus." The song continues to have a major shelf life as its been sampled over the years by artists like Massive Attack, as well as being a featured song for the gamers in "Grand Theft Auto 4." The driving beat of Cobham's drums are second to none, as the interplay between Hammer and Bolin trading licks in revolutionary, while Leland's bass carries the groove, it is truly one of the genres finest hours.
More greatness continues with heavy duty musicianship with tracks like "Taurian Matador" and "Red Baron" as well as the stunning self titled "Spectrum."
Friday Music has been on the front of jazz rock fusion for years with our acclaimed releases on Tommy Bolin, The Mahavishnu Orchestra, Jeff Beck and many others, that we are very pleased to announce the stellar return of Billy Cobham's classic "Spectrum" for the first time on vinyl in decades.
Mastered impeccably from the original Atlantic Records tapes by long time Tommy Bolin producer and fusion devotee Joe Reagoso, this super limited edition release of "Spectrum" will be manufactured on striking translucent blue vinyl.
