Billy Cobham is a Panamanian-American jazz drummer who came to prominence in the late 60s and early 70s with trumpeter Miles Davis and with the Mahavishnu Orchestra. According to AllMusic’s reviewer, Cobham is “generally acclaimed as fusion’s greatest drummer”. He was inducted into the Modern Drummer Hall of Fame in 1987 and the Classic Drummer Hall of Fame in 2013.

Crosswinds is the second album by Cobham. The album was originally released in 1974. It comprises four songs, all composed by Billy Cobham. It was used as the basis for the Souls of Mischief’s hit song “93 ‘til Infinity”.

Billy Cobham’s second date as a leader was one of his better sessions. Four songs (all originals by the leader/drummer) comprise “Spanish Moss — A Sound Portrait,” and, in addition, Cobham contributed three other pieces. The selections team him with guitarist John Abercrombie, both of the Brecker Brothers, trombonist Garnett Brown, keyboardist George Duke, bassist John Williams, and Latin percussionist Lee Pastora. In general, the melodies and the vamps are reasonably memorable. Cobham also takes an unaccompanied drum solo on “Storm”.

A photo taken by Billy Cobham himself is used for the cover art; it wraps around the spine to comprise both the front and back cover.

Definitely a worthy album for fusion collectors