Alivemutherforya - Billy Cobham (1978) (1LP Vinyl) - Near Mint (NM)

Alivemutherforya by Billy Cobham.

Few drummers have carried the fusion torch as boldly as Billy Cobham, and "Alivemutherforya" finds him at the center of a genuinely collaborative unit. Rather than a leader flanked by sidemen, this record assembles a group of equals, with Cobham sharing production duties alongside Alphonso Johnson, Steve Khan, and Tom Scott. That shared vision runs through every groove, giving the album the feel of a working band stretching out together.

The six tracks move fluidly between muscular funk and airier, atmospheric passages. Side A opens with "Anteres" - The Star, followed by the loose swing of "Bahama Mama" and the shifting textures of "Shadows." Side B leans into the grease and swagger with "Some Punk Funk," then broadens out through "Spindrift" and the closing "On A Magic Carpet Ride," a title that captures the buoyant, exploratory spirit of the set.

The instrumental palette here is deep and modern. Alphonso Johnson brings electric bass, fretless bass, bass pedal synthesizer, and even electric stick percussion, laying down foundations that are as melodic as they are propulsive. Mark Soskin colors the sessions with an arsenal of keyboards, from acoustic piano and Fender Rhodes to clavinet and a stack of synthesizers including the Arp Odyssey, Mini-Moog, and Arp String Ensemble. Steve Khan weaves through it all on electric and acoustic guitar.

Tom Scott is a defining voice across the record, moving between tenor and soprano saxophone and the distinctive electronic breath of the Lyricon, while also adding percussion of his own. Cobham himself contributes percussion beyond the kit, deepening the rhythmic conversation. The result is a band that thinks in layers, where the horns, keys, and low end all pull toward the same restless energy.

The production carries real pedigree. Don Puluse handled engineering, and the mix was overseen by Dennis MacKay and Puluse, with most of the record mixed at CBS Recording Studios in New York City. "Bahama Mama" was mixed at Cherokee Studios in Los Angeles, a small detail that speaks to the care taken with each track. George Butler and Jim Fishel served as executive producers, and Arnold Jay Smith supplied the liner notes.

The package is as considered as the music, with design by the celebrated Paula Scher and cover photography by Jim Houghton. This particular label variation lists the artists across three lines of text, distinguishing it from other pressings that use two. Printed in the U.S.A., it is a rewarding find for collectors chasing seventies fusion and anyone who appreciates the interplay of a truly democratic band.

Pressing Details:
Track Listing:
A1. "Anteres" - The Star
A2. Bahama Mama
A3. Shadows
B1. Some Punk Funk
B2. Spindrift
B3. On A Magic Carpet Ride

Credits:
Paula Scher - Design
Alphonso Johnson - Electric Bass, Electric Bass [Fretless], Synthesizer [Bass Pedal], Percussion [Electric Stick]
Steve Khan - Electric Guitar, Acoustic Guitar
Don Puluse - Engineer
George Butler - Executive-Producer
Jim Fishel - Executive-Producer
Arnold Jay Smith - Liner Notes
Dennis MacKay - Mixed By
Don Puluse - Mixed By (A1, A3 to B3)
Billy Cobham - Percussion
Jim Houghton - Photography By [Cover Photo]
Mark Soskin - Piano [Acoustic], Electric Piano [Fender Rhodes], Clavinet, Synthesizer [Arp Odyssey, Mini-Moog, Arp String Ensemble]
Alphonso Johnson - Producer
Billy Cobham - Producer
Steve Khan - Producer
Tom Scott - Producer
Tom Scott - Tenor Saxophone, Soprano Saxophone, Lyricon, Percussion

Notes:
Label variation: Artists are listed on three lines of text, compared to two lines on the other variations.

Mixed at CBS Recording Studios, NYC, except "Bahama Mama" mixed at Cherokee Studios, Los Angeles.

Printed in U.S.A.

Artist: Billy Cobham

Supporting Artists: Steve Khan, Alphonso Johnson, Tom Scott

Format: 1LP

Genre: Jazz

Label: Columbia

Catalog Number: JC 35349

Release Year: 1978

Country: United States

Condition: Used

Media Condition: Near Mint (NM)

Sleeve Condition: Near Mint (NM)