Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » Billy Cobham: Compass Point
Billy Cobham: Compass Point
By Track review of "Crosswinds / Stratus"The band concludes the live set with consecutive performances of time-honored Cobham originals, the title track of Crosswinds (Atlantic, 1974) and classic "Stratus," from the seminal fusion album Spectrum (Atlantic, 1973). With "Crosswinds," Cobham puts the gears in motion with a sturdy backbeat, as guitarist Carl Orr and keyboardist Gary Husband execute the lithe melody in unison, subsequently paced by Cobham's melodic polyrhythms, which accent and drive the overall dynamic. They segue into "Stratus" with a glassy sheen anchored by bassist Stefan Rademacher's pumping lines. Here, Orr's slight use of distortion adds a grittier edge via his animated build-up and scorching free-flight, raising the pitch and intensity a few notches, and leading to the audience pleasing finale.
Compass Point is an exceptional album on all counts. Brimming with memorable compositions and ample soloing room from the frontline, the quartet toggles between loose-groove metrics and shrewdly designed arrangements, spanning an extensive assortment of rhythmic configurations.
Personnel
Billy Cobham
drumsBilly Cobham: drums; Gary Husband: keyboards; Carl Orr: guitar; Stefan Rademacher: bass.
Album information
Title: Compass Point | Year Released: 2013 | Record Label: Cleopatra Records
< Previous
Claytonia
Next >
Julian Lage: Living Lage
Comments
Tags
Billy Cobham
CD/LP/Track Review
Glenn Astarita
Glass Onyon PR - William James
Cleopatra Records
Switzerland
Zurich
Freddie Hubbard
McCoy Tyner
Gary Husband
Compass Point