Bill Bruford’s Earthworks DVD anthology 1 & 2

For the last 20 years Bill Bruford’s Earthworks, has been turning heads on the international jazz scene.  A uniquely British institution, the band has consistently offered a platform to the best and brightest young players, presided over by a musician with unparalleled experience as a drummer, composer, and band leader.

This two-volume Video Anthology splits the band’s career to date into two separate decades, roughly marking its transition from an electronic to an acoustic outfit.

Volume 1 represents the work of the later and current “acoustic” editions of the band in the 2000s, and Volume 2 mostly represents the “electronic” origins of the group in the 1990s. Both volumes come with Dave McKean artwork and a 12 page booklet chronicling critical reaction at the time, and all material has been selected and supervised personally by Bill.

Anthology Volume 1 – the 2000s ;

Filmed on tour in the United States in 2001, Argentina in 2002, and Germany in 2005, this DVD also includes 25 minutes of new material, and marks the debut performance of bassist Laurence Cottle and pianist Gwilym Simcock with the group.  Effortless, elegant and economical, Bruford personifies the art of the drummer, and his group Earthworks “casts new light on the jazz quartet format" (Los Angeles Times )

“The quartet has a knack for continuously elegant and engaging melodies...(Bruford) has a broad visionary sense and tremendously accomplished musicianship.” (Japan Times)   

• Includes 25” of new, previously unreleased material.
  11 of the 14 tracks previously unavailable on DVD or video.
  Marks the recording debut in the band of Gwilym Simcock, BBC Radio Jazz Awards “Rising Star” 2006
  Includes Dave McKean artwork and a 12 page booklet chronicling critical reaction at the time.

Anthology Volume 2 – the 1990s ;

The group was originated as a vehicle for Bruford’s unusual and innovative use of electronic percussion, and did much to challenge perceptions about what a drummer should, or should not, be doing in jazz.  Filmed on tour in Germany 1991, Japan 1991, and Bulgaria 1999, Earthworks continues to offer a platform to the brightest and best young players, and has become a “potential model for the 21st century Jazz mainstream” ( Chicago Reader ).

“…represents everything fusion should have been” ( Downbeat )

• All 11 tracks previously unavailable on DVD or video.
  Includes the only commercially available footage of the seminal Ballamy, Bates, Bruford edition of the band.
  Includes Dave McKean artwork and a 12 page booklet chronicling critical reaction at the time.
  All material selected and supervised personally by Bill Bruford.

Both volumes (the first 500 of each are signed by Bill) are available right now at www.brufordearthworksdvd.com