BRUFORD: FEELS GOOD TO ME

This was Bill Bruford's first solo album released in 1977. The core of the band features Jeff Berlin on bass, Allan Holdsworth on guitar, Dave Stewart on keyboards, Annette Peacock on vocals and Kenny Wheeler on flugelhorn. Neil Murray adds some extra bass and John Goodsall adds guitar to one track. I like the liner notes which were written in 1977. Here's a sample. ""Someone suggested I should get Dave Holland to play on the record", said Bill Bruford referring to the expatriate British bassist who, plucked from obscurity by Miles Davis a decade ago, is now one of the most respected forces in contemporary improvised music.The look on Bruford's face bespoke the very natural awe in which he holds Holland's musicianship and creativity". Well as most will know, Jeff Berlin ain't bad either (haha). In fact this is simply a killer lineup. After KING CRIMSON broke up Bruford played in many bands, mostly live appearances including GONG, Roy Harper, NATIONAL HEALTH and GENESIS. It's interesting that late in 1976 he got together with Rick Wakeman and John Wetton to record an album but it was canned due to the politics of the music business. In rehearsal though this trio came up with two of the songs that are featured on this debut in "Beelzebub" and "Back To The Beginning". I have to mention Annette Peacock. The lady can sing and I like the description of her voice in the liner notes. "Her voice is unsettling : it whispers, croons, cajoles, and threatens...".

"Beelzebub" is a top three for me. The drums are intricate as the sound builds just before a minute. The guitar comes in a minute later as it settles some.Excellent track. "Back To The Beginning" is another top three and it makes me wonder how good that Bruford / Wakeman / Wetton band would have been. It's mellow with flugelhorn to open then it kicks in hard before a minute with guitar. Female vocals join in.This is great ! It settles with male spoken words then the guitar solos as the bass and drums continue. It's building before 5 minutes. Nice. She's back singing a minute later. "Seems Like A Lifetime Ago (Pt. 1)" is a relaxed tune with vocals and flugelhorn.

"Seems Like A Lifetime Ago (Pt.2)" has more bite to it than part one and some good guitar too. Great sound before 3 minutes then it settles late. "Sample And Hold" is my other top three. A good beat to start as other sounds join in. An amazing instrumental. "Feels Good To Be Me" is a bright uptempo instrumental. It's more intense after 2 minutes with the guitar standing but it's too brief. "Either End Of August" is fairly laid back with flugelhorn arriving around 1 1/2 minutes. "If You Can't Stand The Heat..." is an intricate instrumental with the guitar coming in just before a minute. "Springtime In Siberia" is mellow with flugelhorn and piano. "Adios A La Pasada (Goodbye To The Past)" is a good closing number. It gets better as it plays out too. Female vocals in this one as well.

Feels like 4 stars to me.