BRUFORD: FEELS GOOD TO ME

However I do think this is a genuine 5-star album. Whereas so many other musicians from major bands have, when left to their own devices and without the influence of their peers, gone off and done some truly dire stuff, Bill realises that the important thing is the music, not the ego of the musician playing it. He has en economy of style that comes across in both his playing (wot, no drum solo's?) and his composition (for which Dave Stewart ex-Hatfield & The North had to help him out - "with the more complex structures"). I like Bill Bruford; strikes me there's no false modesty - he knows (he must!) that he's a damn fine drummer, but he's not interested in merely showing off his skills.

Bill's band here is: Allan Holdsworth (they were soon to both be in UK); Jeff Berlin, a brilliant young American bassist; Stewart on keyboards; and on some tracks, Annette Peacock sings - no, croons; her style is unusual and does take a little getting used to. Fortunately she is used sparingly, and is best on the final "Adios a la Pasada".

Doing a detailed track by track review always seems pointless to me; if you're reading this you just need to be given an overall idea of what to expect, not someone's detailed note-by-note commentary on individual tracks you haven't heard. Well you should expect highly structured, jazz based compostions (if that's not contradictory!) with high level of musicianship, some great tunes, and not suprisingly given the musicians, a certain Cantebury- feel to the proceedings. Most tracks are mid-tempo, but there are some quiet moments; and Holdsworth contributes some stylish solo's. The production is immaculate; every note, every percussive strike rings crisp and true. I've always thought Bruford paid more attention to most to the sound or timbre of percussion - not just the rythym/tempo.

I loved this album from the first time I heard it; still sounds fresh to me today, in large part because of the production values I mentioned. Bill Bruford remains one of our most versatile, interesting and intelligent musicians.

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