Record Reviews

BILLY COBHAM ~ SPECTRUM ATLANTIC 73174 (Barcode: 081227317423) ~ USA ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion Recorded: 1973 Released: 2002 1st album. Freshly out of Mahavishnu OrchestraFind albums by this artist, Billy CobhamFind albums by this artist created one of the most perfect Fusion masterpieces with this album. Surrounded by great instrumentalists (especially Jan HammerFind albums by this artist on keyboards and Tommy BolinFind albums by this artist on guitar with a host of jazz stars) performing his most memorable tunes Cobham extends the boundaries of Fusion beyond anything else on the secene. Absolutely essential!

CD 1 Digipak Remastered Bonus Tracks Essential Recommend To A Friend

DEEP PURPLE ~ COME TASTE THE BAND (35TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION) EMI 5099964786629 (Barcode: 5099964786629) ~ UK ~ Classic Rock Recorded: 1975 Released: 2010 This is a reissue / remaster of the tenth studio album by the legendary British Rock group Deep PurpleFind albums by this artist. It was the only album by the Mk IV lineup of the group that included vocalist David CoverdaleFind albums by this artist, American guitarist Tommy BolinFind albums by this artist, who replaced the “irreplaceable” Ritchie BlackmoreFind albums by this artist, keyboardist Jon LordFind albums by this artist, bassist Glenn HughesFind albums by this artist and drummer Ian PaiceFind albums by this artist. The album presented nine original songs, mostly co-written by Bolin and Coverdale with some contributions by Hughes. This remastered edition was expanded with one bonus track, which is a single version, and also adds a whole second CD with new remixes of the original album and two additional bonus tracks, which are outtakes from the original recording sessions. The lineup change had significant influence on the musical direction, which took the band closer to American Rock and featured heavy Funk influences, mainly due to Bolin’s guitar style and songwriting, but the prevailing riff dominated and Blues influenced style remained mostly intact. Coverdale turned out to be a fierce lead vocalist, to some degree more rounded and stable that his predecessor. Sadly, this lineup would exist for just a few months, and Deep Purple disbanded by mid-1976 and it will be only eight years later, when they would reform again. Bolin died of drug overdose just a few months after the band split. Overall, this is an everlasting Classic Rock gem, which lost nothing of its glory over time and stands as an icon of what Rock music is all about, making contemporary “Rock” look utterly ridiculous. It is an absolute must to all Deep Purple fans and in deserves an honorable place in every decent record collection.

Updated: 13/05/2023Posted: 13/05/2023

CD 2 Slipcase Remastered Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend