Hallo Nick und danke. Thank you for doing my request. I am late to comment I have been camping off the grid and what a superb surprise to see your reaction when I got a slice of internet. I heard this in high school and was blown away by these four musical monsters. What a jam glad you liked it. The whole album is great but that Sklar bass groove is my all time favorite. RIP Tommy Bolin he was 22 years old when this was recorded. Wow great reaction keep on reeling with the feeling.
I was on the edge of my seat watching you click the start button. When I first heard this cut I was 16 years old in 1973. I thought the song was going to change the world. ha ha ha glad to watch you listening to it in 2022. Now you know. Welcome to the club.
Of these 4 cats, the one you have guaranteed heard most is leland Sklar - he's played on literally thousands of sessions, some of them the most iconic songs of all time, from James Taylor and Jackson Browne to Phil Collins and dozens of TV show themes, movie soundtracks and sooo much more. Sklar has a channel, well worth checking out, his stories are amazing, and he often does a short workshop on the tunes he's played on. He's also a great human being, as well as a premiere musican.
According to Leland (on his excellent channel) he was flown in on Sunday night, recorded his parts in 1 or 2 takes, no click, no punches, chart reading and live, and flew out two days later after a bunch of strawberry julius and Indian food....Amazing.
YES ,, fantastic album , when JEFF BECK heard this song he knew he had to record it !! TOMMY BOLIN on the guitar , WOW , , just incredible !! I have the album , and I have the CD !! Loved BOLIN for years , so I had to have this album to add to my collection . Quadrant Four is usually too much for most people I play it for , but I love it !!! Amazing line up of musicians !! Normally play it loud enough for the neighbors to hear it !! Glad you checked it out and keep on jammin !!!
One of the coolest things about RU-vid is when young people are guided along and exposed to so much of this quality music that, even back in the days when it was released, you still had to rely on word of mouth from older, knowing people because so much of this stuff never came out on most radio stations. It is vitally important today with the sad state of corporate radio, television, and entertainment in general, to get one's information from those who have it and pass it on without an eye on any profit, but merely enjoy passing on their knowledge as a service. As my older brothers passed on to me as a kid in the 70s, there are still so many "older "brothers" and "sisters" out there guiding those uninitiated into hearing this great stuff. May you and your viewers continue to enjoy your journey of discovery!
I was exposed to this on WWDB 96.5 in Philly that was a Jazz Station that played straight ahead Jazz and Fusion Jazz. Radio was different back then and didn't follow any silly rotations.
Thanks Nick......you are definitely on the right track! I'm a 67 year old bassist/percussionist from Arizona and I grew up on this, among other genres that musicians in particular would "get". Thanks so much! 👍🎵🎶
Saw Billy Cobham three times... Sometime in 1994 at the Valley Forge Music Fair as Stanley Clarke & Friends featuring Stanley Clarke, Larry Carlton, Najee, Billy Cobham, and a keyboard player who replaced Deron Johnson. ...in January 2013 at the Colonial Theater in Phoenixville, PA (Home of the 'Blob' original movie with Steve McQueen) and again in September 2019 at the Ardmore Music Hall in Ardmore, PA. Both Great shows. The second show featured Dean Brown on guitar, Jerry Goodman on electric violin and Garry Husband on keyboards. The third show featured Rand Brecker on trumpet. He’s awesome and the musicians that he plays with are always first rate. Spectrum came out after the first iteration of the Mahavishnu Orchestra was dissolved by John McLaughlin
I remember being 16 and first getting into jazz fusion and Billy Cobham. A drummer friend and I were floored. Billy could go from soft funky grooves to massive drum fills and back. An amazing drummer and a legend for sure.
Billy Cobham's work with Mahavishnu Orchestra (Inner Mounting Flame), John McLaughlin (Eletric Guitarist) and Miles Davis (Bitches Brew) is all top shelf.
Don't forget 'Birds of Fire' and the' Lost Trident Sessions' and the Live 'Between Nothingness and Eternity'. There's an entire second live disc of unreleased material that was included in a M.O. box set that augments 'Between Nothingness and Eternity' that is just awesome.
This was 73..almost 50 yrs ago...what an eye opener for me as a teenager to hear this..These guys never played together before coming together and making this album in 2 days. The 1st rock fusion I ever heard and still one of the best ever. Cobham, Bolin, Hammer and Sklar( his youtube page breaks this song and he plays the baseline perfectly) around the same time I was turned on the return to forever..I didn't hear you mention chick corea when you were naming musicians..but rtf with Bill Connors..check them out
We all know Billy is a monster, Leland has played bass with everyone and their grandmother, as has Jan who has very few peers on the keys, but the star of the show to me is Sioux City Iowa's favorite son/guitar player Tommy Bolin. Excitingly and Sadly this is Tommy's finest recorded moment. Had Tommy lived he may have equaled this recording but for the moment in time in which it was recorded it simply has to be a big notch on mankinds musical timeline. It is a brilliant performance that i could listen to day in day out never growing tired of. and on that note the track I like the most off the Spectrum album is 'Taurian Matador' Tommy and Jan trading licks....It is a beautiful thing.....Tommy breaks a string and keeps on shredding......
Thank you Scott 😊 very good 👍 Nick! Great reaction our friend ! Great to see you so happy Nick.... from your good heart as always brother .The appreciation and gratitude for all you receive Nick..... Great to see 👍we appreciate it brother!
You can hear where Jeff Beck got ideas for Wired and Blow by Blow after hearing Bolin - maybe try You Keep on Movin by Deep Purple with Bolin on guitar, you will not be disappointed :)
He was in Jazz is Dead is an instrumental Grateful Dead cover band, Bobby & the Midnights with Bob Weir of the Grateful Dead. In 1980, he worked with Jack Bruce in Jack Bruce & Friends
Love what your doing! Keep it up. I'm reliving my musical journey through your exploration while listening to the music that I had similar reaction to as it was being produced (or soon after) many years ago. P. S. I never get tired of listening to great music.
Hi Nick, I've had this album on vinyl for over 45 years and I bought the remastered cd that has an extra jamming track on at the end. When you posted "Quadrant4" I said If you only ever buy one Jazz Fusion album .. This is it ! ...Now you know why. Listen to the whole album. It's pure joy to play, and will leave you wanting more. Great reaction, so glad to finally got to hear another track from "Spectrum". Byee Jim X
YEA... COBHAM.... MUST TRY "Sea of Tranquility" from Total Eclipse... Actually that whole album is worthy of a review. Really feel like you are floating in Space. I have most of his albums on Vinyl, and have made many music videos from his tunes. Great driving music.
Great first listen Nic , Stratus is real head candy that's what I love about this track......that's a layman's breakdown, I love playing this track to the boys on the building site, creative people are all artists whether they are musicians or not. I love musicians and the arts, with out we would all be something else entirely. spiral out and thanks for your channel and the community gathering around it.
Spectrum is great - nice pick, Scott. Thanks. Enjoyed your reaction, Nick. I sent you The Inner Mounting Flame. And someone mentioned Tony Williams - I’m sure you’re familiar with The Tony Williams Lifetime album “Believe it” because of your boy, AH. Lol. Thanks ✨😊
So glad for this request and for you to hear more Cobham. Bolin is one of my all-time favorite guitarists and he shines on the few tracks he plays on this LP. Cobham is on tour right now doing the next LP Crosswinds. If they come to Colorado.... go see him! Already have my tickets for Yoshi's in Oakland, Ca!!! Would also recommend Alphonse Mouzon's LP Mind Transplant for more great drumming and Bolin.
BEST GROOVE EVER! The very first live band I ever saw live was a jazz/rock quartet performing at my high school. They were called “Quadrant 4” in honour of this dude. And they were fantastic. I credit that concert as the starting point of my life long obsession with music. So, as you can probably tell, this album means a lot to me.
Massive Attack sampled parts of this absolute masterpiece into one of their best songs, Safe from Harm. If you're into trip hop, it is definitely worth checking.
In 2013 Cobham did a 40th Anniversary Tour of the "Spectrum" album. I saw it at "The Egg" in Albany. The audience was filled with Musicians, it was like a Religious Pilgrimage! Unfortunately, I can't remember who the guitarist was. It was early in the Tour and they were already beyond "Tight" but you could tell that they were going to get better and better as the Tour goes on! Great channel! I know that your reactions are Honest when a passage of music will bring you to Tears! Like you just said "We are so Blessed!"
Billy Cobham master musician. Heard he is ambidextrous. You are a lucky person to have heard this for the first time. This stuff was standard fare during the 70's. Fusion engines on Nick!
Saw him at a small theater and at the Jazz kitchen in Indianapolis in 1975. Loved playing some of his more liaid back stuff on the drums, like this song….
Oh yeah Nick, you're really into the good gear now! Billy is a maniac on drums, but with balance, dynamics, and precision, and he consistently surrounds himself with superlative players. This album (Spectrum) should go down as possibly the best Jazz/Rock album ever (yes there were/are challengers). It will be in the company of Jean Luc Ponty - Enigmatic Ocean, Mahavishnu Orchestra - Birds of Fire, Brand X - Morrocan Roll, Alan Holdsworth - Sand, Bill Connors - Step It, and Stanley Clarke - Toys of Men to name just a few.. So glad you're going down this track, and by the way how can any serious music listener not dig the groove of this track, addictive and dance-inducing! Luv your reaction Nick..
I'm so glad played this. Around a year ago, you reacted to a slow/sparse Billy Cobham song that had almost zero percussion. I so bummed out that that track was your 1st exposure because it was not Billy shine material. But This is Billy. 🤘😎👍🎵🍁🦋 Cheers I saw him play a couple of times in the '80's at the Bamboo Club in Toronto. So memorable.
This was one of my first ventures into jazz fusion back in the early 80s. Such a cool album. Jeff Beck's Wired album has a very similar feel to this album. I think Weather Report led me into the little bit of jazz fusion that I got into.
yes this was the BOMB. I actually saw his first solo tour for this album in a relatively small venue where I could flexibly move around to a mezzanine with a POV directly above Billy. I had never seen anyone play so precise, fast and complex on the kit EVER!
You're right, it's musician music. I know many music lovers that just can't listen to some jazz, or Jazz Fusion like this. It's overwhelming to them. But musicians get it.
This Album blew my mind , the first time i heard it!!, so i went out and bought it!!, Jeff Beck does a great job with the song 'Stratus", with Vinnie Colaiuta, Jason Rebello and 21 year old Tal Wilkenfald, "Live at Ronnie Scotts", Listen to that rendition, its great!!
I love Spectrum, for me is one of the milestone in fusion. I was 14 when listen from first time and fell in love immediately. Another drummer that you must consider in the future is Tony Williams, who plays with many, many stars. For instance you can try the piece "Lopsy Lu" from the album "Stanley Clarke" with Stanley in bass, Tony Williams in drums, Bill Connors in guitar and the unique and only Jan Hammer in Rhodes and Minimoog. Gracias por compartir!
That's for sure. It would probably be an easier task to make a list of musicians and artists who Lee Sklar didn't play with in the 70s than the vast scores of all of the musicians and artists that he played with during that decade.
What I love about Billy Cobham is that, not only is he a wonderful soloist, but he can groove like anything, too! This was sampled by Massive Attack for 'Safe From Harm', worth checking that track out, Nick!
Hi Nick, if you like this, try listening to Alphonse Mouzon with Tommy Bolin, album Mind Transplant 1976: Nitroglycerin... from a danish Tommy Bolin lover Jørgen
I'm from Tommy's home town. We have a Tommy Bolin Musical Festival every August. Alphonse came to the festival and played a few years before he passed. Truly a cool respectful thing to do considering Mind Transplant was released in 75. RIP to Tommy & Alphonse
I am glad to see this this one. It's one of Billy's best. In my opinion, he's the greatest drummer of all time. (Yes, I know about the "best" and "greatest"" stuff and the arguments against that term). Billy can play any kind of music at a really high level. He's faster than fast, a powerhouse, and has the technical skills and musical cops to put it all together. I saw him at the Bottom Line in NYC and remember being showered by wood chips! It's good to see young guys like Nick who obviously have good taste in music and showcase great artists. What's sad is that Ed Sheerans and Taylor Swifts of the world get all the attention, while these virtuosos are unknows to most. Love the Ponty picture in the background!
Jan Hammer plays synth and electric piano on this. Check out some of his stuff on the "Oh Yeah?" album. "Bambu Forest" (yes, spelled that way) or "Red and Orange." Guarantee it will blow your mind.
FINALLY .... start of the weekend, although it's already Saturday night, but trouble on the traintrack on the way to work, which caused longer absence from home plus helping my son to move out took so much of my time, well, that's life. But now I start my weekend marathon of nicknlex. Spectrum is a masterpiece ... I remember well, when my "intellectual schoolmates " 😆 tried to convince me of jazzfusion it was the one song, I liked very much ... and I still do nowadays. 10 out of 10, so what's next ? 😄🤘
A fabulous track, one of the great bass riffs (sampled by Massive Attack on Safe From Harm) and as others have said, one of the key tracks in jazz/fusion. Cobham is of course one of the greatest drummers ever, and based on the couple of minutes I spent talking to him after one of his shows at Ronnie Scott's, a very nice guy. Could I suggest you try some Weather Report soon - anything off Mysterious Traveller (their greatest album imo), Black Market or Night Passage would be my suggestions.
Billy Cobham , si es leyenda en los tambores junto a Jan Hammer , ellos hacían crecer a la Mahavishnu de un gigante genio que es John Mclaughlin ..en esta grabación se acompañaron en guitarra con la gran promesa de los 70 Tommy Bolin , que con un disco solista muy bueno , entro a Deep Purple , lamentablemente hubieron muchos inconvenientes creo en su carrera , y que desafortunadamente falleció muy joven y en un momento excitante de rock ...este es un disco clásico , no puede faltar en nuestras discotecas
This album came together very quickly. Billy had a break from Mahavishnu and was doing a lot of CTI records studio sessions. Billy called some friends together: Jan from Mahavishnu; Leland had toured with Mahavishnu in the band The Section (which had been James Taylor's backing band but were a bit more fusion leaning (like early Journey) and Leland had played with Tommy when the Section had been on tour with Zephyr (I guess that's how Billy came across him as well); They did their songs in two days. Ron Carter, John Tropea, Joe Farrell (check out his "Outback" album) & Ray Berretto were all CTI lable session mates with Billy. Just 3 days in total and most were all first takes! Sometimes, when the right talent gets together...it all comes together in a masterpiece. Leland says every time he sees Jeff Beck, Jeff points to min and says one word: "STRATUS!" It has been so often and so beloved - Jeff Beck does it regularly as does Bunny Brunel...I've even heard Dweezil Zappa play it.
I got this on a tape aged 11 in 1986 ...huge impact and still a great piece of music all there years later. I still think this album is possibly one of the best fusion albums. Try the Jan hammer groups first album. It's all synch, and I hate all synth..but this is good. About 1976ish
Jan Hammer is the MAN. Billy Cobham is insanely good and a legend. Top 5 drummer for me. Jan is my second favorite keyboardist after Dave Stewart. George Duke a close third.
more talent in the room than you can shake a stick at..... I hear Mr Cobham still plays & I would love to see him again. Jeff Beck... Blow by Blow & Tommy Bolin Teaser... Lee Sklar could play with anyone
Ken Scott was the recording engineer on this. He's up there with George Martin and Alan Parsons as far as his quality of recording. He also later got into producing. Look him up. Pretty much anything he's involved in has great sound quality.
Tommy Bolin kinda turned down playing on this album and told them he didn't read music and thought he wouldn't be up to par with these guys. But they insisted cause they knew what he was capable of. Yeah, I don't think it mattered. Man, it was good to hear this again. Haven't heard it in years. My brother had this album and was a drummer and had alot of Billy Cobhams albums. Peace
I read music and I have played with guys who were self taught and they blew me away! Knowing music theory has nothing to do with being a good player. All my favorite players don't read.
