Billy Cobham’s Culturemix – Paris Concert At New Morning
Picture: B-
Sound: B- Extras: C- Concert: B
Billy Cobham is a very important and influential
drummer. The DVD case points to how
relevant his work in adding Jazz-Rock and Fusion into drumming and music in
general is, but his early work in electronic music in general over 30 years ago
turned out to be vital in ways even he did not know at the time. Taped in September 2002, Billy Cobham’s
Culturemix – Paris Concert At New Morning is a terrific show running nearly
two hours that shows how this early work weaves its way through some
exceptionally strong instrumental material as follows:
1) Blue
Line
2) Five Day
Run
3) Sa Pobla
4) Dreamer
5) Aurora
Borealis
6) Mister
B.C.
7) Clairvoyance
8) Stratus
9) Dissicated
Coconuts
10) Crosswinds
11) How Was The Night
12) Spectrum
As I listened, I was reminded of the cleverness of Chic,
Steely Dan and Progressive Rock bands of the 1970s like Yes, while also
considering the fun and innovations of Frank Zappa. There is a real joy to the performance here by Cobham and his
band, in great form. The Jazz never
gets boring and is some of the best you will hear on DVD to date. Along with Gil Mellé’s input in inventing
the drum machine, on one has had more influence technically than Cobham as a
known performer in the advancement of percussion. Fortunately, this great concert does not disappoint; the kind of
music you would expect from such an influential innovator.
The letterboxed 1.78 X 1 image is not anamorphically
enhanced, but is a tad clearer than usual despite that limit. The Dolby Digital 5.1 sound is not bad,
though one wished it were DTS because this is a fine recording. Some of what is missing on that mix can be
found in the 16Bit/48kHz PCM 2.0 Stereo tracks, which also revel what a good
recording this is. Maybe a
Multi-Channel SACD would be in order.
The only extra is Soundcheck Sketches running over 7 minutes and will be
of particular interest to musicians.
Too bad there are not more extras for such a key performer on this disc,
but the concert is great enough on its own to recommend this disc.
- Nicholas Sheffo
