01/03/10

Billy Cobham Releases New Album on January 10

Legendary drummer revisits and remakes old material with new band on his Palindrome album

By Lee Mergner

On January 10, legendary drummer Billy Cobham releases Palindrome, the latest installment in what he calls his “Fruit From the Loom” series. On this recording, Cobham revisits various old material, including “Moon Germs” from Eclipse (1975) and “A Day’s Grace” from Flight Time (1981), as well as other songs from his extensive catalog. The album also includes several unreleased compositions. The new recording is a high-powered and hard-driving contemporary jazz outing with sophisticated arrangements, accessible melodies and chops-heavy playing from Cobham and his band.

Performing with Cobham on the recording are: Ernie Watts (woodwinds), Michael Rodriguez (trumpet), Marshall Gilkes (trombone), Jean-Marie Ecay (guitar), Dean Brown (guitar), Philippe Chayeb (bass), Wilbert “Junior” Gill (steel pan and PanKat), Christophe Cravero (keyboards and violin) and Marco Lobo (percussion).

Cobham will be performing dates beginning in January. For more information about the CD and tour, go to the drummer’s web site.