If you were ever wondering if legendary jazz fusion drummer Billy Cobham still "had it", then check out this brand new DVD featuring Billy and his band Culturemix, recorded live at the New Morning in Paris back in 2002. Cobham and his band, featuring Per Gade on guitar, Junior Gill on percussion & steel pan, Stefan Rademacher on bass, and Marcos Ubeda on keyboards, really cook from start to finish on this lengthy set, playing Cobham tunes old and new. Guitarist Gade and keyboard player Ubeda both really smoke on their extended solos on the classic "Red Baron"; the former ripping with a fierce intensity not unlike a young Larry Carlton, Larry Coryell, or John McLaughin, while the latter (who looks to be barely out of his teens) fires off an impressive Rhodes-sounding solo. Bassist Rademacher also is an impressive find, as not only is he a gifted and lyrical bass player (check out his Jaco-ish lead & melody lines on "Sa Pobla") but he is also a good writer, apparently penning a few of the newer songs played in this set. Of course, what more can you say about "the man", other than the fact that he still plays with the same fire and fury of his youth, and his rhythmic attack is nicely punctuated with Gill by his side on various percussion. Watch Cobham blister his kit on tunes like "Stratus", "Crosswinds", "Mr. B.C.", and "Spectrum" for proof that this virtuoso can still rock with the best of them.
Bonus features are slim, but include some soundcheck sketches, however, considering the main set is nearly 2 hours, nothing extra is really needed. This is simply a wonderful display of a hot fusion band, led by one of the greatest drummers of the past 35 years.
Track Listing
- Five Day Run
- Red Baron
- Sa Pobla
- Culture Mix
- Dreamer
- Aurora Borealis
- Mr. B.C.
- Clairevoyance
- Stratus
- Dessicated Coconuts
- Crosswinds
- How Was the Night
- Spectrum
Printer Friendly Page
Send to a Friend
