BILLY COBHAM

BILLY COBHAM
CROSSWINDS (1974)
320 KBPS

Billy Cobham made this album at a pivotal point. The original Mahavishnu Orchestra had disbanded, John McLaughlin was wallowing, and jazz purists were beginning to complain about the rock influence. Billy helped show a new direction. Crosswinds opening suite has lush and sophisticated horn arrangments, soothing a subtly intense rhythm. The effect is like night, tropical breezes, just as he wants to convey. You can almost hear the ocean, the music of the wild Caribbean (no steel drums of course, just cool). The rest of the album alternates between hot and cool, with some funky fusion and a beautiful extended piece, Heathers, near the end, featuring a trombone solo that sounds like the soundtrack to a loving and relaxing dream. The album is inspired, Billy at his creative best, showing the jazz world a new dimension that fusion had not shown before. At 35 minutes it is a little short, but we have quality here, not quantity. This album belongs in any jazz or fusion collection.

1. Spanish Moss - A Sound Portrait: Spanish Moss
2. Spanish Moss - A Sound Portrait: Savannah the Serene
3. Spanish Moss - A Sound Portrait: Storm
4. Spanish Moss - A Sound Portrait: Flash Flood
5. The Pleasant Pheasant
6. Heather
7. Crosswind