BRUFORD: ONE OF A KIND

More a review of Bill as a drummer than just this album (although this is one of my all time favorites from him). As a drummer myelf, I have to say this guy just doesn't cease to amaze me. His diversity just doesn't stop. He just gets better everytime I see or hear him. When I first heard this album in ' 78, it was like all of Bill up to that point poured into one. A little YES, a little KC, a little UK with a dash of EGG splashed on top (courtesy of Dave). I saw them on the tour (minus Alan unfortunately) at Louie's Rock City in Virginia and what killed me was Bill's use of Remo Roto Toms on his set. He's was able to really pull out a kicking sound on those. Utilizing triplets, polyrythims and left handed dexterity, he was getting more technically precise on his moves at this time than he was with YES and KC. To me, technically as a drummer, this was a turning point for Bill. Drummers like Billy Cobham and Lenny White were just tearing up the skins all over and I think he needed to clean up on the fusion craze at the time and catch-up with these guys. And boy, did he!