Spectrum - Billy Cobham (1973) (1LP Vinyl) - Very Good Plus (VG+)

Spectrum by Billy Cobham.

Released in 1973 on Atlantic Recording Corporation, "Spectrum" captures Billy Cobham stepping out as a leader after his tenure behind the drums in some of the era's most electrifying ensembles. Every selection here was written by Cobham himself, who also produced the record, giving the album a singular vision that fuses jazz muscle with rock voltage and a synthesizer's cutting edge.

The playing is fierce and inventive across both sides. Opener "Quadrant 4" sets the tone with its charging momentum, while side two's "Stratus" has become one of the most sampled and celebrated pieces in the fusion canon. Between them sit the medleys, whose preludes are, in fact, solo performances, though the artwork does not print them as such. It is a detail that rewards close listening, revealing quiet moments of individual voice tucked inside the larger ensemble surges.

Cobham surrounded himself with a formidable cast. Jan Hammer brings electric piano, acoustic piano, and Moog synthesizer, his keyboards weaving throughout the record with restless energy. The late Tommy Bolin turns in blistering guitar work, and Leland Sklar anchors the low end on Fender bass across much of the program. On the album's inside gatefold, the notes credit Ron Carter and Joe Farrell, appearing courtesy of CTI Records, and Ray Barreto, appearing courtesy of Fania Records, threads that tie this record to the broader jazz and Latin worlds of its moment.

Technology plays its own role in the sound. Moog synthesizer drum along with Moog sample and hold devices were used on the drum solos in "Stratus" and "Snoopy's Search," pushing percussion into new sonic territory that still sounds bold today. The recording was made at Electric Lady Studios in New York, then re-mixed across the ocean at Trident Studios in London, with Ken Scott handling both recording and re-mix engineering duties.

The package itself is a work of art. Stanislaw Zagorski contributed the album design, with cover painting by Jeff Snider and photography from Armen Kachaturian on the back liner and Urve Kuusik inside. All selections were published by Pegasus Music, Inc., ASCAP, and printed in the U.S.A.

This is an early issue, identifiable by the Broadway address printed on the label, noting manufacture by Atlantic Recording Corp. at 1841 Broadway, New York. The label matrix lists "PR" for Presswell Records Mfg. Co. of Ancora, New Jersey, marking it as a desirable early pressing for collectors seeking the record closest to its original 1973 release.

Pressing Details:
Track Listing:
A1. Quadrant 4
. Medley
. -
. Medley
. -
B1. Stratus
. Medley
. -
. Medley

Credits:
Stanislaw Zagorski - Design [Album Design]
Leland Sklar - Electric Bass [Fender Bass] (A1, A2a, A3a to B2a, B3a, B3b)
Jan Hammer - Electric Piano, Piano [Acoustic Piano], Synthesizer [Moog Synthesizer] (A1, A2a, A3a to B2a, B3a)
Jan Hammer - Electric Piano, Synthesizer [Moog Synthesizer] (A2b, B2b, B3b)
Ken Scott - Engineer [Recording & Re-mix Engineer]
Tommy Bolin - Guitar (A1, A2a, A3a to B2a, B3a, B3b)
Jeff Snider (2) - Painting [Cover Painting]
Billy Cobham - Percussion
Armen Kachaturian - Photography By [Backliner Photo]
Urve Kuusik - Photography By [Inside Liner Photo]
Billy Cobham - Producer [Produced By]
Billy Cobham - Written-By [All Selections Written By]

Notes:
On inside gatefold artwork:
Recorded at Electric Lady Studios, New York, N.Y.
Re-mixed at Trident Studios, London, England
℗ © 1973 Atlantic Recording Corporation
Printed in U.S.A.

All selections published by Pegasus Music, Inc., ASCAP.

Ron Carter & Joe Farrell appear through the courtesy of CTI Records.
Ray Barreto appears through the courtesy of Fania Records.

Moog synthesizer drum, Moog sample and hold devices were used on drum solos on "Stratus" and "Snoopy's Search".

On labels:
℗ 1973 Atlantic
Mfg by Atlantic Recording Corp., 1841 Broadway, N.Y., N.Y.

Note: The prelude to each medley (A2a, A3a, B2a, B3a) are solo performances but are not printed as such on the artwork.

Distinguishing features:
Early issue with Broadway address on label.
Label matrix lists "PR" (Presswell Records Mfg. Co., Ancora, NJ).

Artist: Billy Cobham

Format: 1LP

Genre: Jazz

Label: Atlantic

Catalog Number: SD 7268

Release Year: 1973

Country: United States

Condition: Used

Media Condition: Very Good Plus (VG+)

Sleeve Condition: Very Good Plus (VG+)