Spectrum

1	Quadrant 4 4:20
2	Searching for the Right Door/Spectrum 6:33
3	Anxiety/Taurian Matador 4:44
4	Stratus 9:50
5	To the Women in My Life/Le Lis 4:11
6	Snoopy's Search/Red Baron 7:39

Barnes & Noble

As a member of John McLaughlin's groundbreaking Mahavishnu Orchestra, powerhouse percussionist Billy Cobham took jazz-rock drumming to astonishing new heights. Spectrum, Cobham's debut recording as a leader, finds him stripping away much of Mahavishnu's pomp and bombast, replacing them with straightforward R&B and hard rock elements, thus expanding fusion in important -- and listener-friendly -- new directions. Lean and funky, yet fairly bursting with dynamic energy, Spectrum provides plenty of room for displays of Cobham's speed, power, and precision while also featuring exceptional, and highly influential, work by Mahavishnu keyboardist Jan Hammer and the ill-fated rock guitarist Tommy Bolin. Steve Futterman

Barnes & Noble

As a member of John McLaughlin's groundbreaking Mahavishnu Orchestra, powerhouse percussionist Billy Cobham took jazz-rock drumming to astonishing new heights. Spectrum, Cobham's debut recording as a leader, finds him stripping away much of Mahavishnu's pomp and bombast, replacing them with straightforward R&B and hard rock elements, thus expanding fusion in important -- and listener-friendly -- new directions. Lean and funky, yet fairly bursting with dynamic energy, SPECTRUM provides plenty of room for displays of Cobham's speed, power, and precision while also featuring exceptional, and highly influential, work by Mahavishnu keyboardist Jan Hammer and the ill-fated rock guitarist Tommy Bolin. --Steve Futterman Steve Futterman

All Music Guide

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. Scott Yanow