‘A Part, And Yet Apart’ marks the
recorded debut of Bill Brufords Earthworks second coming – Earthworks Version 2,
if you like. Having won over the jazz world with the first incarnation of the
band, Bruford briefly yet successfully helped reform rock group King Crimson
for three very strong years, before deciding to re-kickstart his jazz quartet.
Whereas though the first band had heavily
featured Brufords experimental electronic drumkit, the sound with this newer
line-up, with its members pulled from a very strong burdgeoning London jazz
scene, is focused entirely on all-acoustic music. For the most part too, the
tunes here are composed by Bruford, with the exception of ‘The Emperors New
Clothes’ by saxophonist Patrick Clahar and pianist Steve Hamilton.
The afore-mentioned piece is also the
perkiest number here, with a tropical melody that brings to mind the marimba
and other similar percussion sounds, while the title track is a clear highlight
from the first beat, with its bouncing bass line courtesy of Mark Hodgson and
skittish drums and flourishes from the bandleader. The sudden shift in tempo
and addition of rippling arpeggios from the saxophone and piano seals the deal.
Another favourite is the scrambling
rhythm of ‘Some Shiver, While He Cavorts’, whereas elsewhere we get a solid if
obligatory feeling ballad in the form of ‘Sarahs Still Life’, and a nice bop in
‘Eyes On The Horizon’. Bruford though knows his audience, and knows that we
want to hear a patented Bruford polyrhythmic drumming frenzy, and as such we
get two such treats on ‘No Truce With The Furies’ and ‘Footloose And Fancy
Free’. Here the band locks into a tight repeating riff, whilst Bruford opens up
laying down a percussive volley that manages to be both highly intricate and
danceable.
A solid debut for Brufords second
quartet to go under the banner of Earthworks, the music and the musicianship
are here in spades, and will surely go toward gaining the band a solid fanbase.
A certain something seems to be missing at times, which is perhaps down to the
dry production. Live, this band certainly delivers the goods, and as much as
this recording may feel like a more polite version of the live experience, this
is a good flavour of what they are about and showcases Brufords rhythmic flair
nicely.
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