Artist: Billy Cobham | Album: Many Years BC | Released: 2001 (1985-1998) | Genre: Instrumental, Jazz, Fusion | Country: USA | Duration: 02:25:10
This 2CD set illustrates fairly well Mr. Cobham’s evolution through samples from 2 decades, extracting material from 6 albums, and presents it chronologically: Disc 1 begins with 3 tracks from 1985’s “Warning”, opening with a “re-vamped” version of “Stratus”, a track originally released on his first solo album “Spectrum”. Unfortunately missing on this compilation is “Mozaik”, perhaps the most creative track on “Warning”.
The next 5 tracks come from 1986’s “PowerPlay”, including all 6 parts of the “Summit Afrique” suite (only 4 parts were on the vinyl), demonstrating quite clearly the versatility of this creative drummer.
Disc 1 closes with 3 tracks from the “Picture This” album, released in 1987. Perhaps the weakest of his 3 albums for the GRP label, there’s still some amazing performances included here.
Skipping over 2 albums, disc 2 brings us to 1994’s “The Traveler” (or “The Traveller”, depending on which edition you pick), featured here on the first 3 tracks: a much more eclectic direction, somewhat less structured and perhaps less exciting; once again, skipping over a milestone album like “Nordic”, we’re fast forwarded to the 1998 album “Focused”, from which 3 tracks have been selected, including the spectacular “Avatar”.
The album closes with 4 tracks from “Nordic – Off Colour” (NOT to be confused with the 1996 album simply called “Nordic”).
Cobham is perhaps best known for his subtle and creative performances, displaying both dexterity and spirit: never really in the spotlight (though you can always hear him very clearly), he manages to create jazz with flavour and diversity. Somewhat unpredictable, his genre keeps you on the edge of your seat, whether the melodies are soft or more energetic.
A quality compilation; like any type of “best of”, one can always say “why did they omit this or that”, but in the end, this represents a wide selection of his art in the last 15 years…
Tracklisting:
CD1:
01. Stratus [04:36]
02. The Dancer [05:20]
03. Slowbody Poppin [05:21]
04. Times Of My Life [05:19]
05. Tinseltown [05:57]
06. Summit Afrique [13:46]
07. Zanzibar Breeze [04:53]
08. A Light Shines In Your Eyes [06:01]
09. Taurian Matador [04:31]
10. You Within Me Within You [07:01]
11. Two For Juan [07:54]
Duration: 01:10:39
CD2:
01. Alfa Waves [08:42]
02. Mushnu Creole Blues [08:00]
03. What If [05:05]
04. Mirage [10:42]
05. Three Will Get You Four [11:38]
06. Avatar [06:46]
07. Lat [07:07]
08. Black Ink [05:55]
09. Rolls-Strolls [03:15]
10. Rock Shaker [07:21]
Duration: 01:14:31
Single download
Billy Cobham – Perhaps the weakest of his 3 albums for the GRP label, there’s still some amazing performances included here. 
Billy Cobham – Stratus 04:36
Billy Cobham – The Dancer 05:20
Billy Cobham – Slowbody Poppin 05:21
Billy Cobham – Times Of My Life 05:19
Billy Cobham – Tinseltown 05:57
Billy Cobham – Summit Afrique 13:46
Billy Cobham – Zanzibar Breeze 04:53
Billy Cobham – A Light Shines In Your Eyes 06:01
Billy Cobham – Taurian Matador 04:31
Billy Cobham – You Within Me Within You 07:01
Billy Cobham – Two For Juan 07:54
Billy Cobham – Alfa Waves 08:42
Billy Cobham – Mushnu Creole Blues 08:00
Billy Cobham – What If 05:05
Billy Cobham – Mirage 10:42
Billy Cobham – Three Will Get You Four 11:38
Billy Cobham – Avatar 06:46
Billy Cobham – Lat 07:07
Billy Cobham – Black Ink 05:55
Billy Cobham – Rolls-Strolls 03:15
Billy Cobham – Rock Shaker 07:21
Category:Jazz
Main catalog
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