World of Rhythm: Live

The sheer pleasure of watching good jazz musicians playing their rear ends off and having a great time doing it is the attraction here, as pianist Herbie Hancock, drummer Billy Cobham, and bass player Ron Carter perform in this 1983 concert from Lugano, Italy. Superb individual players all, these three have also worked together extensively (Hancock and Carter most famously in Miles Davis' immortal ‘60s quintet with Wayne Shorter and Tony Williams), and it shows in their relaxed yet intense improvisations on such fare as “Toys,” “Speak Like a Child” and “Walking.” Drummer Cobham is a powerhouse (fusion fans will certainly remember him from his days with guitarist John McLaughlin's Mahavishnu Orchestra) and a bit heavy-handed for this reviewer's taste; but the man can swing, and he's fun to watch, appearing here with an enormous array of cymbals, gongs, and chimes. Carter's unaccompanied “Willow Weep for Me” is a delight, a model of chops, imagination, and beauty; and the others do solo turns as well, but it's the ensemble playing that's the real attraction here. Presented with Dolby Digital 5.1, 2.0, and DTS 5.1 soundtrack options, this is recommended for dedicated jazz fans. Aud: P. (S. Graham)