HEAVENLY BODIES

Referring to a recent discussion on Earthworks, I too would welcome more reviews, and knowing that there are some fans here, it's kinda sad to say that I (as the first rater of Heavenly Bodies) am not one of them. I've had this compilation for two and a half years but probably have listened to it less than seven times. I enjoy contemporary jazz in general. I would enjoy this just fine if there weren't some extremely irritating tracks with electric drums. Quite a false move from one of the best drummers in the world, I think. But naturally in most tracks the percussion is excellent; not so much in a lead role as the group's name could suggest. Earthworks' music is very much a team work and also the compositions are usually by Bellamy (sax) /Bates (keys, horn) /Bruford together. And I'm pretty sure Bruford is the least of a composer of them: I like Bellamy's or Bates' solo compositions the best.

My latest listening did raise this CD up a bit in my scales. I didn't remember it's just a few tracks I don't like; I thought it was overall milder, colder, theoretic- sounding, 'less jazzy', but happily I was wrong about that. This is good modern jazz from England (which as a jazz country has always been far behind from the States). But nothing VERY special really, in my opinion. I prefer some Nordic (especially Norwegian) and continental jazz as more atmosperic and personal.

Having been satisfied with "Sound of Surprise" album, I spun this compilation album expecting something similar. I have already owned this CD for many years and I rarely spin the CD because I thought it was just too jazzy. Since I'm now in the right mood for jazz, I try to spin it again. Oh .. it's totally different with "Sound of Surprise" album. This one has more electric drumming as far as Bill's share for the music and unfortunately I cannot differentiate the unique sounds of Bill's drumming. This album is for me lack of harmony and melody if I don't want to call it as bad or poor album. Oh yes, there are some interesting jazzy saxophone but at the end they do not deliver good harmony and the music do not sound like having a cohesive structure.

I don't think I'm in a position to recommend you to buy this CD as I myself cannot easily enjoy the music this album offers. It might fit to those die hard fans of jazz music. The electric drumming sounds are annoying to my ears, really. I leve it up to you to justify your spending on this CD .. Keep on proggin' ..!

Peace on earth and mercy mild - GW