Customer Reviews

Total Eclipse

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Considering that 1974's 'Total Eclipse' is Mr.Cobham's third studio recording (and was already in pretty heady company in his catalog even when it came out) this is a likely candidate for Cobham's best album and trust me I have heard most of them.Why?Because with the exception of the closing "Last Frontier" (a drum solo) this album is basically devoid of alot of flashy bombastic drumming on Cobham's part.Just great use of sustained intensity on the wonderful "Solarization" suite.
The title concepts for most of these tunes refer to various astronomical phenomenon.And in the case of the ultra funky "Lunarputians" just an excuse to use aliens as an excuse to groove (a concept later used with vocals by a guy named George Clinton).Some elements of this album are very heavily jazzy such as "Sea Of Tranquillity" and the title track emphasizes one of the most important parts of this albums appeal-the tunes here are some of the all time best compositions
Cohbam has created.
It wasn't exactly a bad thing either that Billy had the help of 'The Billy Cohbam Players' as they are credited.These players include John Abercrombie,the Brecker's, and the magnificant Alex Blake on bass.And I say that funnily in tribute to some community radio DJ's in my neck of the woods playing acoustic jazz who love to list EACH band member followed by the instrument they play.They probably would never play an album like this on their shows but if I had a radio show I sure would play this....okay MASTERPIECE and proudly list the musicians and what they play because without Billy AND the mutual collaberation of these great artists this album would'nt be exactly what it was.Integrity at it's finest!

When I first heard this album, the musicianship of Cobham and Co. blew me away. This is some of the tightest, well-written fusion material ever presented to the jazz-buying public. I have been waiting for them to release this on CD since CDs were invented!

You cannot go wrong with this album if you are a fan of the fusion movement of the 70's. I would rank this and some of the other Cobham albums above even McLaughlin and Mahavishnu orchestra in terms of ground-breaking musicianship and technical perfection!

My father got me listening to Cobham, and I've been hooked ever since. He had it on vinyl, with one side destroyed, so I never heard any tracks beyond the title track. We have been waiting for years for this to come out on cd. We knew that once "Funky Thide of Sings" came out, "Total Eclipse" couldn't be too far behind. If you ever get anything by Cobham, THIS is the one to get. Highly recomended for fans of jazz/funk fusion and syncopation that will make your head spin. Buy it, love it, spread the gospel of Cobham, for he is the god of this genre.

Cobham is the best drummer and on this album he shows his composing ability. Total Eclipse is by far the best in the Cobham collection in my book. John Abercrombie's guitar work is great and the opening piece will leave you on the edge of your seat. There's a little funk and a little jazz and a whole lotta great drumming throughout. GET THIS MUSIC IN YOUR HANDS!!!!

The "Tower" is the tarot card which depicts an interruption of the normal course of things. The "Moon" tarot card signifies action overcoming lethargy. Billy Cobham successfully disrupts the sluggish rhythm of typical R&B/Jazz and slips into the beyond with an energy unheard of during this period. This album was (and still is) WAY ahead of its time!

LATELY, I HAVE BEEN REACQUIARING, REPLACING, AND REDISCOVERING A LOT OF THE GREAT OLD JAZZ FUSION ALBUMS FROM THE 70'S WHICH I ORIGINALLY HAD ON VINYL WHEN THEY CAME OUT(BILLY COBHAM, MAHAVISHNU, WEATHER REPORT, RETURN TO FOREVER, TONY WILLIAMS, GEORGE DUKE, LARRY CORYELL, ETC.), I HAD FORGOTTEN HOW GREAT A LOT OF THIS MUSIC WAS, EVEN THOUGH IT IS MOSTLY "DISMISSED" TODAY AS BEING "DATED", "TRENDY", "COMMERCIAL", OR "NOT REAL JAZZ". THIS IS A GREAT ALBUM BY BILLY COBHAM, WITH SOME GREAT BACKUP BY THE BRECKER BROTHERS ON HORNS, AND JOHN ABERCROMBIE ON GUITAR. I WOULDN'T AGREE THAT IT IS BILLY'S BEST ABLUM, BUT IT IS VERY GOOD.

Very good service, and a very good album. I remember this from my college days in the 70's and it brings back many good memories. Thanks for the excellent service, 5 stars.

I purchased this cd that I already had on vinyl. I wanted to replace the worn out record and I've been looking for the cd-version of this album for years. I had almost given up hope until I finally found a way to buy it thru Amazon. It's easy, fast, cheap and efficient!
I was surprised to receive the product in my mail box so quickly!

This is my favorite recording by Boomer of the 70s! I just LOVE IT! That drum sound, that band, those songs!!
"Moon Germs" destroys me every time I hear it. Unbelievebal!

Two words: G E T I T ! !