Album Club, January 2017: Bruford - 'One of a Kind'
Happy New Year Everyone.
We start the New Year Album Club with a choice from Neil (Dalek Supreme) who, after a 'no show' by another member, has kindly stepped up to the plate with Bruford's 'One of a Kind'. As always please listen to the album in its entirety before you comment and/or vote.
I discovered this album many years ago - on vinyl - and bought it as one of 'my taking a chance' purchases and fell in love with its quirky mix of prog and jazz-fusion vibes. One of A Kind is mostly instrumental with the only vocal being speech at the beginning of Fainting in Coils, provided by Sam Alder as the narrator, Bill Bruford as the Mock Turtle and Anthea Norman Taylor as Alice.
The line up for this album is in my view fabulous with Bill Bruford on drums, Alan Holdsworth on guitar, Jeff Berlin on bass, and Dave Stewart on keyboards. Also on the album is Eddie Jobson on violin, and John Clark on guitar. The album was produced by Bill Bruford and it's a nice open and detailed recording with lovely acoustic and soundstage, with minimal compression.
In many ways this is a second UK album as Bill and Alan had just left UK to record this album and the vibe is very similar just missing John Wetton's bass and vocals.
I think its beautiful and haunting in places with magical interplay between instruments and at times interesting time changes/tuning and a slightly avant garde vibe. In saying that it’s still an album rich with melody so accessible if you like jaz- fusion and prog.
Stand out tracks: Sahara of Snow part 1 and 2, Fainting in Coils, Hell's Bells, One of A Kind.
During this time period there was some lovely material recorded in the prog/jazz-fusion genre, albums by UK, Brand X, Gong and Bruford.
I kind of expect a mixed reaction to this one as I know it wont be everyone's cup of tea.
This album, along with UK’s first album, have been long-term friends to me, over more years than I care to think about.
9 out of 10
Neil
Link to '1979 Rock Goes To College Concert' on YouTube:
Link to 'Feels Good to Me' on YouTube
03-01-2017, 18:48
Spectral Morn
No surprise I voted 9 out of 10. Listening to it right now :)
03-01-2017, 21:21
HackneyRF
A good choice at short notice. Nice one. Not heard this one before but really enjoyed it. I'm familiar with Bruford from Yes and King Crimson but not any of this stuff. For sure there's shades of Brand X and Weather Report to my ears and the musicianship sounds on the money. Very tight. Must go and check out some other Bruford things, Earthworks for example. A strong 7/10 from me.
Cheers
Loz
03-01-2017, 22:36
Spectral Morn
Quote:
Originally Posted by HackneyRF
A good choice at short notice. Nice one. Not heard this one before but really enjoyed it. I'm familiar with Bruford from Yes and King Crimson but not any of this stuff. For sure there's shades of Brand X and Weather Report to my ears and the musicianship sounds on the money. Very tight. Must go and check out some other Bruford things, Earthworks for example. A strong 7/10 from me.
Cheers
Loz
Glad you enjoyed it Loz :)
04-01-2017, 23:31
Jac Hawk
Sorry Neil, this really isn't my cup of tea, i just didn't engage with the majority of the tracks really, there were a couple of tracks that peeked my interest a little, Five G and The Sahara of Snow part 2, but not enough to make me want to listen to it again.
It would be a boring world if we all agreed all of the time
04-01-2017, 23:47
farflungstar
Would like to give this a listen but as with many YouTube videos it's blocked on mobile devices in Spain. grrrrr
Adey
Sent from my Aquaris E4.5 using Tapatalk
05-01-2017, 09:55
HackneyRF
Quote:
Originally Posted by farflungstar
Would like to give this a listen but as with many YouTube videos it's blocked on mobile devices in Spain. grrrrr
Adey
Sent from my Aquaris E4.5 using Tapatalk
It's on Spotify if you use that Adey.
05-01-2017, 10:31
Audio Al
Err :scratch: Nope , Cant get into this sorry
05-01-2017, 11:26
struth
Not my poison either so wont rate it. 2 tracks were listenable for me. Travels with myself, and another ive forgotten. I can see why folk might love it, dont get me wrong, its just not for me...sorry.
05-01-2017, 12:34
Clifford.T Ward
An interesting listen which straight away reminded me of UK's first album. On first hearing it was pleasant enough and at times I was drawn into it , however I don't feel it was a stand out album ....Bill's a good drummer and the other musicians are good.....if I see a copy for the right price I would be tempted to buy it.