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Smoking-cannon solo debut from the drummer of the Mahavishnu Orchestra. The compositions are fast 'n' fierce fusion, more directly steeped in soul and the blues than the MO's. This means the harmonic vocabulary and general song structures are simpler, not as flamboyant or classical-sounding as Cobham's previous band. But Spectrum's pieces are by no means less fiery, and the virtuosic intricacies on this disc are sure to knock prog fans of that persuasion like bowling pins right into the gutter. Along for the ride here are: fellow disgruntled Mahavishnu departee Jan Hammer on keys; the late, cult-legend Tommy Bolin on guitars; and Lee Sklar (that's right, the same guy who would later show up on Phil Collins' wimpy 80s solo albums), flexing much more muscle on bass. Particularly noteworthy are the tracks "Quadrant 4," "Spectrum" (the bass riff of which was later sampled by Massive Attack for "Safe" from their album Blue Lines), and the laid-back "Red Baron." This stuff would probably have been earth-shaking with McLaughlin. Nonetheless, Bolin fills some big shoes without blinking an eye, inserting smoldering solos left and right. One downside to this album is that drum solos are inserted before each of the 'main' tracks, but thankfully these only each last about a minute or so. A great purchase for the Mahavishnu fan, just don't expect any Indian scales, Bartok harmonies, or anything like that. review by Joe McGlinchey — undated —