Billy Cobham
Palindrome
Review by Larry Toering
Billy Cobham is usually referred to as contemporary jazz or jazz/fusion artist, but he also crossed over into prog territory and it appears it has not left him after all these years. Palindrome is the second in his Fruit Of The Loom multi-volume set (the first disc in the set bearing the set title as its own), but I have to hear them in reverse due to the order they're shipped. If the first one is anywhere near as good as this, I will be all the more amazed. This is harking back to the days of albums of fine art such as Spectrum and others, so that is why it gets a “prog” tag here.
It's simply chock full of some of the wildest arrangements this side of those great albums Cobham recorded in the 70s. It comes complete with some tracks his parents used to love and some more indicative of his current musical direction. This is simply another one for the record books, like only he can pull off. The songs are crazy with musicianship of the highest order. In addition, it is beautifully arranged and produced. Expect nothing but the best here, as Cobham continues to establish his place in music history. He is joined by a stellar line-up of first class musicians. This is as good as instrumental rock gets, jazz school or not. Make no mistake about it, we're talking about a sheer masterstoke of cosmic music! I just can't say enough about it, except there is no one like this drum master.
This review is available in book format (hardcover and paperback) in Music Street Journal: 2012 Volume 1 at lulu.com/strangesound.
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