TOMMY BOLIN - The Ultimate ... (1989) 2CD / FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Thomas Richard "Tommy" Bolin (August 1, 1951 – December 4, 1976) was an American-born guitarist who played with Zephyr (from 1969 to 1971), The James Gang (from 1973 through 1974), and Deep Purple (from 1975 to 1976); in addition to maintaining a notable solo career.

Although guitarist Tommy Bolin died well before his time, he left a wide variety of scattered recordings behind (as both a session musician and permanent member of several rock bands). One of the more versatile guitarists of all-time, Bolin touched upon many different styles - blues rock, heavy metal, jazz fusion, and serene ballads, which are all on display on 1989's 2-CD boxset, The Ultimate. In addition to the music, the set comes with a large, gorgeous booklet chock full of pictures, plus a very detailed and informative biography. Disc 1 chronicles Bolin's early years, and while it contains several standouts (the amazing instrumental "Quadrant 4" with Billy Cobham, The James Gang's "Alexis" and "Standing In the Rain," etc.), the selections by his first band, Zephyr, and as a hired hand with a Zep-clone band called Moxy, have not aged well. Disc 2 proves to be more consistent, including tracks with jazz drummer Alphonse Mouzon ("Golden Rainbows," "Nitrogyclerin"), as part of Deep Purple's final '70s line-up ("Gettin' Tighter," "Owed to G"), and as a solo artist ("Dreamer," "Teaser," "Sweet Burgundy," "Shake the Devil," etc.). Although the set was out-of-print by the late-90's, 'The Ultimate' serves as a solid introduction to the talents of the great Tommy Bolin. wiki

Tracklist 1:

1. Zephyr : Sail On

2. Zephyr : Cross the River

3. Zephyr : See My People Come Together

4. Zephyr : Showbizzy

5. James Gang : Alexis

6. James Gang : Standing in the Rain

7. James Gang : Spanish Lover

8. James Gang : Do It

9. Billy  Cobham : Quadrant 4

10. Moxy : Train

11. Moxy : Time to Move On

Tracklist 2:

1. Alphonse Mouzon : Golden Rainbows

2. Alphonse Mouzon : Nitroglycerin

3. Deep Purple : Gettin' Tighter

4. Deep Purple : Owed to 'G'

5. Deep Purple : You Keep On Moving

6. Deep Purple : Wild Dogs

7. Tommy Bolin : Dreamer

8. Tommy Bolin : People, People

9. Tommy Bolin : Teaser

10. Tommy Bolin : Sweet Burgundy

11. Tommy Bolin : Shake the Devil

12. Tommy Bolin : Brother, Brother.