Billy Cobham - Spectrum

While it should be shunned for making fusion a household word, this solo debut by the burly drummer was a beast. Cobham pounds the the drums like Bonham on roids. Jan Hammer buzzes like a chainsaw on his moog. Lee Sklar thumps the bass like a meth addict. But it's Tommy Bolin who steps out in what amounted to a stunning debut of his own and all but left the others in the background.

Cobham hired the 21 year old Bolin after hearing him play at a festival and although Bolin had never formally played jazz before and didn't read music, he stunned both fellow musicians and listeners with his ferocity. It was the real start of his brilliant and shortlived career (he was dead 3 years later.) It was after he heard Bolin on Spectrum that Jeff Beck dove into the fusion part of his career.

One of the hardest combos of rock and jazz improv the 70's ever saw and an album that had influence far beyond jazz enthusiasts (Massive Attack sampled Stratus for Safe in '91.) But with Spectrum - essentially a penis measuring contest - Bolin definitely had the biggest swinging dick.

It's an assault.

amg:

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.

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In an interesting sidenote, fusion drummer Alphonse Mouzon tried to dupilicate Cobham's success the next year and to that end he too hired Bolin to trade licks with a young Lee Ritenour. Though not the equal of Spectrum, Bolin's work on that record has its moments.