BRUFORD: ONE OF A KIND

Former Yes & King Crimson member Bill Bruford's second album under his own name is a typical fusion album with a modern eighties sound (though released in '79). Whilst under the flag of Bruford, this is actually a record by a super-group consisting of Bruford on drums, Holsworth on guitar (the famous jazz shredder), Stewart on keyboards (the Canterbury legend) and Berlin on bass.

It's kind of funny how my opinion on this album lies exactly between that of Bonnek and Snobb. I also must admit that I think the sound of this album is very non-stylish. The choice of synths is often a bit annoying and the overall recording is a bit too clean. Using xylophones is also something I can't like in any fusion-record. Besides that, this is a highly technical achievement and most of the compositions are quite strong too! Many tracks have strong atmospheres or interesting forms. All musicians shine in their roles, except... Bruford himself. I can't find a single passage in which he leads! The music is dominated by Stewart and Holdsworth.

Conclusion. Don't expect meaningful compositions with relevant titles, don't expect to hear Crimson of Mahavishnu heaviness, but engage on this record if you like the technical or/and symphonic approach to fusion. Perhaps fans of UK will be very enthusiastic too. The music does get exciting, melodic and some guitar solo's of Holdsworth keep impressing me. Three and halve stars. There aren't that many 'progressive fusion' records that stay in my collection for long, but this is one of them.

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