Search - Billy Cobham :: Nordic

A Departure for Cobham

Marc Szeftel | Seattle, Washington | 06/09/1999

(2 out of 5 stars)

"The drums are unmistakeably Billy Cobham, but the music is quite different from the style we've been accustomed to since the early 70s. This is the first Cobham album I've heard that eschews the popping-bass funk groove in favor of an all-acoustic, traditional jazz set, with mixed results. This is a quartet with piano, acoustic bass and saxophone playing rather unmemorable riffs over Cobham's powerful drumming. It's worth noting that only two of the selections are written by Cobham; you can tell right away which ones they are. The first time I played this album I heard a lot of things I liked; the next morning, when I played it a second time, it seemed meandering and undistinguished. Go figure. Probably not the best choice for those unfamiliar with Cobham's work, who would probably be best served by checking out his sessions with Miles Davis and John McLaughlin first."

Amazing.........

drummernik | 01/04/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

""Nordic" has Billy Cobham's incredible drum playing and perhaps the best straightahead jazz music on it. That's one of my all time favorites!!"Nordic - Off Color" ( is not avaible in the USA I think) is also great, more funky, it worth it to buy it from germany!"

The other side of Billy

Pieter | Brussels (Europe) | 12/19/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This album proves Billy Cobham to be a very versatile drummer, not only capable of his famous rapid-fire style of fusion-drumming, but also at ease in a more bop-oriented context. Good compositions and a Cobham who shows the world how drums should be played make this album an absolute favourite."