Billy Cobham - Spectrum (1973)

Drummer Billy Cobham was fresh from his success with the Mahavishnu Orchestra when he recorded his debut album, which is still his best. Most of the selections showcase Cobham in a quartet with keyboardist Jan Hammer, guitarist Tommy Bolin, and electric bassist Lee Sklar. Two other numbers include Joe Farrell on flute and soprano and trumpeter Jimmy Owens with guitarist John Tropea, Hammer, bassist Ron Carter, and Ray Barretto on congas. The generally high-quality compositions (which include "Red Baron") make this fusion set a standout, a strong mixture of rock-ish rhythms and jazz improvising.

by Scott Yanow, allmusic

Tracklist:

01. Quadrant 4 (Cobham) - 4:20
02. Searching for the Right Door (Cobham) - 1:24
03. Spectrum (Cobham) - 5:09
04. Anxiety (Cobham) - 1:41
05. Taurian Matador (Cobham) - 3:05
06. Stratus (Cobham) - 9:50
07. To the Women in My Life (Cobham) - 0:51
08. Le Lis (Cobham) - 3:20
09. Snoopy's Search (Cobham) - 1:02
10. Red Baron (Cobham) - 6:40

Billy Cobham - drums, percussion, production
Jan Hammer - electric and acoustic pianos, Moog synthesizer
Ken Scott - recording and re-mix engineering
Tommy Bolin - guitar (#1,5,6,10)
Lee Sklar - electric bass (#1,5,6,10)
Joe Farrell (#3,8) - soprano and alto saxes, flute
Jimmy Owens (#3,8) - flugelhorn, trumpet
John Tropea - guitar (#8)
Ron Carter - acoustic bass (#3,8)
Ray Barretto - congas (#3,8)

Recorded at Electric Lady Studios, New York on May 14–16, 1973.