Magic / Simplicity of Expression [Import]

Billy Cobham | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (April 17, 2001)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import
• Label: Sbme Import
• ASIN: B00000K460
• Also Available in: Audio CD
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #404,037 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. On a Magic Carpet Ride

2. AC/DC

3. Leaward Winds

4. Puffnstuff

5. "Anteres" the Star

6. Magic / Reflections in the Clouds/ Magic- Recapitulation

7. Bolinas

8. La Guernica

9. Pocket Change

10. Indigo

11. Opelousas

12. Early Libra

Editorial Reviews

Two of the great jazz drummer's original albums for Columbia together on one disc, 'Magic' & 'Simplicity Of Expression - Depth Of Thought'. Contains all of the tracks from when both were first issued, in 1977 & 1978, respectively. A combined total of 12 selections, all digitally remastered using 20 bit Super Bit Mapping (SBM) technology. Also features the original cover art of each record. 1998 release.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Ethereal Jazz, August 22, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Magic / Simplicity of Expression (Audio CD)

Is there one word which defines this double compilation CD from drummer extraordinaire Billy Cobham? Sure.....it's "ethereal". Here, Cobham transcends his contemporaries, such as Jack de Johnette and Omar Hakim to display not only a surreal understanding of rhythm, but an "ethereal" display of melody, nuance and structure. Check out "Leaward Winds" from the "Magic" album, or "Bolinas" from "Simplicity of Expression, Depth of Thought". The title song from the latter CD goes boldly where many a jazz drummer wish to tread, but cannot successfully navigate. This applies to "La Guernica" from the same CD. No overstatement here....merely the weight of Cobham's drumming flowing effortlessly over an air tight melodic wave of creativity and purpose. A masterpiece.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Grab one if you can, April 6, 2007

By 

W. Noshie (Beirut, Lebanon) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Magic / Simplicity of Expression (Audio CD)

This out of Print 2 Billy Cobham albums on 1 CD is surely rare to find and a jewel to any CD collector who can get his hands on a copy.
"Magic" was released in 1977 followed by "simplicity of Expression" the year after.
Decent Jazz fusion through out however, if you are not a collector as I am or a beginner to Cobham's music, try instead; "Spectrum", "Crosswinds" and "By design"

4.0 out of 5 stars Two very nice albums from 1977, December 16, 2005

By 

kireviewer (Sunnyvale, Ca United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Magic / Simplicity of Expression (Audio CD)

WARNING: ABOUT HALF OF THE TRACKS ON THIS CD CONTAIN VOCALS.

If you are expecting the fusion that Cobham played on albums like Crosswinds or Spectrum, you may be disappointed by this CD. But, even though this doesn't reach the heights for those 2 earlier CD's I still think this is very good. I think if is much better than anything he did later on GRP.

MAGIC

The CD starts out weakly, with two light fusion instrumentals. They aren't bad, but nothing that I would buy on their own. They are certainly better than the material on the GRP CD's, Warning and Power Play. These tunes are mellow but are still driven by Cobhams drumming.

Next up is Puff'N'Stuff, which alone makes this CD worth buying. It starts and ends with some beautiful clarinet work. In the middle is a manic interlude, with Cobham "hamboning it up".

The fifth track features some more wonderful clarinet work. This is followed by a suit that includes some vocals. It is another excellent track, except for the ending. Following this beautiful singing is a jarring section of music that really doesn't belong.

SIMPLICITY OF EXPRESSION/DEPTH OF THOUGHT

This album is a little more mellow than Magic. There are 4 vocal tracks and 2 instrumentals. The vocal tracks are basic jazz songs. Some of them have a little funk thrown in. Cobham isn't the greatest lyricist in the world, but none of the songs are bad. There are very good sections.

This album came out when the face of jazz was changing. People were moving away from heavy fusion. Sunday Brunch style of music was becoming fashionable. Souless groups were becoming popular. Cobham evolved with this, but I think these ablums are much better than what others were doing at the time.