This DVD will be a revelation to jazz-fusion fanatics, as it includes a full performance from 1981 of famed drummer Billy Cobham (Miles Davis, Dreams, Mahavishnu Orchestra) and his band, filmed in Switzerland. The players with Cobham for that tour included Gil Goldstein on keyboards, Mike Stern on guitar, Michal Urbaniak on violin & sax, and Tim Landers on bass. The set is smokin' to say the least!
Ten Cobham tunes are covered in the set, most clocking in on an average of 6 to 13 minutes, which gives each band member a chance to solo. Urbaniak and Stern especially shine throughout-Urbaniak's violin explorations have a more urban feel than say Jean Luc Ponty, and his sax solos are highly melodic, while Stern mixes blues, rock, bebop, and jazz licks into a churning maelstrom of notes that just burns. Cobhams's chops are evident from note one of this set, but he really kicks into high gear on a jet-propulsed solo on "A.L.D.L.", also highlighted by a fantastic Fender Rhodes solo from Goldstein. Sadly, this line-up never recorded a studio album together, and it's a shame, as this group of musicians really gelled on this gig. There's plenty of complex unison playing here, as well as swinging jazz, which gives a great variety to these songs. Highly recommended!
Track Listing
1) Moon Germs (9:44)
2) A.L.D.L. (10:42)
3) Flight Time (7:38)
4) Vanessa (10:36)
5) Crosswind (5:25)
6) All Hallow's Eve (5:52)
7) Total Eclipse (9:23)
8) Mendocino (13:41)
9) Wrapped in a Cloud (7:05)
10) Brooze (9:56)
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