MuzikMan's Reviews And News

Showing posts with label Bill Bruford. Show all posts

7/01/2026

Pete Roth Trio feat. Bill Bruford to Release New Live CD/DVD “Group Chat” September 18, 2026

Two-disc set contains 9-track audio CD and 35-minute DVD.

Pre-order “Group Chat”: https://www.cherryred.co.uk/pete-roth-trio-featuring-bill-bruford-group-chat-cd-dvd-edition

The Pete Roth Trio return with Group Chat, a striking new CD/DVD release that captures the spontaneity, interplay and fearless musical conversation at the heart of this exceptional band. Led by guitarist Pete Roth, alongside bassist Mike Pratt and legendary drummer Bill Bruford, Group Chat is Roth's third major album and a release of particular significance, marking Bruford's eagerly awaited return to headline performance after a 13-year hiatus, as well as his first appearance on new material in 19 years.

Produced by Pete Roth and Bill Bruford for Winterfold Records, Group Chat presents a trio that thrives on intimacy, risk and connection. Rooted in jazz but never constrained by it, the music moves fluidly through funk, contemporary classical influences and spontaneous improvisation, with nothing treated as untouchable. Original compositions such as Full Circle, Dancing With Grace and Original Sin sit alongside collaborative pieces including Part Of The Charm and Looking Forward To Looking Back, while the trio's inspired Improvisation on the Largo from Dvořák's Symphony No. 9 underlines the breadth of their musical imagination. The result is a record that feels adventurous, immediate and alive - music made in the moment by three musicians listening as deeply as they play.

The release is presented as a two-disc digipak CD/DVD edition, complete with a booklet containing extensive notes and group photographs. Alongside the nine-track audio album, the package includes a bonus 35-minute DVD offering further insight into the trio's world, with performances, an introduction, and a special spoken segment from Pete Roth.

The music press reaction’s have been emphatic. "The Pete Roth Trio is a band of equals, clearly loving the opportunity to improvise and have musical conversations," wrote Biff Bam Pop!, while Innerviews praised the music as "rich with nuance, invention, and telepathic rapport." Dr. Jazz Talks described the album as "a feast of rhythm and melody," and Make Weird Music summed up its appeal succinctly: "I wish more jazz was this much fun." Another review captured the trio's balancing act perfectly, calling it "loose enough that it could fall apart and tight enough that it grooves."

Pete Roth brings to Group Chat a background that spans blues, rock and jazz, shaped first in Germany and then refined through his studies and career in the UK. Mike Pratt, a highly regarded bassist, composer and producer with deep roots in jazz fusion and groove-based music, brings both harmonic imagination and rhythmic authority to the trio. For Bruford, whose career has encompassed groundbreaking work with Yes, King Crimson, Earthworks and a host of major jazz collaborators, Group Chat reflects a continuing commitment to the innovative, the unusual and the unlikely. Together, the three musicians create an experience that reshapes expectations of the guitar trio format, making space for melody, texture, groove and surprise in equal measure.

Group Chat is a vivid document of three distinctive musical voices in open conversation - intimate, exploratory, witty and deeply alive.

INTERVIEW REQUESTS, PHOTOS, VIDEO STREAM ETC AVAILABLE ON REQUEST

TRACK LISTING

DISC ONE: CD AUDIO
1. Full Circle
2. Part Of The Charm
3. Group Chat
4. Improvisation on the Largo from Dvořák’s Symphony #9
5. Looking Forward To Looking Back
6. Summertime
7. Dancing With Grace
8. Original Sin
9. Hard Case, Soft Centre

DISC TWO: BONUS DVD
1. Introduction
2. Full Circle
3. Part Of The Charm
4. Group Chat
5. Improvisation on the Largo from Dvořák’s Symphony #9
6. A Word From Pete
7. Hard Case, Soft Centre

Produced by Pete Roth and Bill Bruford for Winterfold Records
BBWF006CDVD
www.winterfoldrecords.com

Pre-order “Group Chat”: https://www.cherryred.co.uk/pete-roth-trio-featuring-bill-bruford-group-chat-cd-dvd-edition

Information about the Pete Roth Trio: www.peterothtrio.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PeteRothTrio

Press inquiries: Keith James, Glass Onyon PR, PH: 828-350-8158 (USA), glassonyonpr@gmail.com

11/07/2023

Bruford “One Of A Kind” 12” Vinyl Edition Available November 24, 2023

Definitive vinyl re-release re-issued on Bruford’s own Winterfold Records and overseen personally by drum legend Bill Bruford

• Bill Bruford is the original drummer in YES and was a long-term member of King Crimson.

• The band Bruford recorded this album in 1979 and it went on to achieve critical acclaim and commercial success.

Bruford “One Of A Kind” 12” vinyl reissue will be available November 24, 2023!

The line-up on this album is: Bill Bruford – drums, percussion, Allan Holdsworth – electric guitar, Dave Stewart – keyboards, Jeff Berlin – bass

This 12” vinyl re-issue has been mastered from the original 1979 mix, taken from the original 1979 analogue tapes, and comes housed in a replica sleeve.

Mastered from the original tapes recorded and mixed by Stephen W Tayler in 1979

This definitive vinyl re-release is re-issued on Bruford’s own Winterfold Records and was overseen personally by Bill Bruford.

“It's music that breathes... played by empathetic, truly virtuosic musicians. But is it rock, jazz, prog or fusion? Who knows, but it's some of the greatest British instrumental music of all time”. Sounds of Surprise

“… despite a landscape of constantly-shifting meters and tempi, the magic of One of a Kind is that it remains compelling and accessible”. All about Jazz

“This collection of ten tracks stands as a maelstrom of chops, arranging skills and inspired ensemble playing... the dynamics between drums, keys and fretless bass provide a high profile, capable structure for Holdsworth's top-flight soloing ability”. Exposé Online

Photo by Pascal Devillers

TRACK LISTING

Side 1
1 Hell’s Bells
2 One Of A Kind – Part One
3 One Of A Kind – Part Two
4 Travels With Myself – And Someone Else
5 Fainting In Coils
Side 2
1 Five G
2 The Abingdon Chasp
3 Forever Until Sunday
4 The Sahara Of Snow – Part One
5 The Sahara Of Snow – Part Two

To pre-order: https://burningshed.com/store/billbruford/bruford_one-of-a-kind_vinyl

Bill Bruford official website: https://billbruford.com/

Press inquiries: Glass Onyon PR, PH: 828-350-8158 (USA), glassonyonpr@gmail.com

3/16/2022

Bill Bruford 'Making A Song and Dance: A Complete Career Collection' 6CD Box Set Available For Pre-order

Released April 29, 2022 - Includes tracks from YES, King Crimson, Bruford, Bill Bruford’s Earthworks, Guest Sessions and Collaborations

Over the past 50 years Bill Bruford has been one of the most original and innovative drummers across multiple genres. Making A Song and Dance: A Complete Career Collection is a 6CD Box Set that charts some of the many highlights of Bruford’s incredible career and is released on April 29th through BMG.

From early steps with progressive legends YES and a quarter of a century in King Crimson, to ground-breaking jazz fusion leading his own Bruford and Earthworks projects, Bill Bruford has always wanted to explore his chosen discipline to the full - and then push the boundaries further. This desire to challenge convention has created some breath-taking moments and made Bruford the drummer-of-choice for collaborations with leading musicians around the world.

“My interest was with the broader discourse on drums and drumming, rather than any notions of success or fame,” says Bruford. “The latter I could do little about but, in the 1960s, the former was wide open and meaningful contribution seemed everywhere possible. The context in which the first track in the set was conceived bears almost no relationship to the context in which the last was, four decades later.”

“There was a big premium put on the notion of difference. I wanted to sound different to contemporaries like Carl Palmer (ELP), Brian ‘Blinky’ Davison (Nice) or John Bonham (Led Zeppelin). I figured if I hadn’t heard it before, the other guys in the band probably hadn’t either. Thinking up interesting things to do on a drum kit was my reason to exist. I also thought that was what they were paying me to do. I didn’t care much what the critic, commentator or musicologist thought, and that was to remain my lodestone, my modus operandi for many years.”

For this anthology Bruford has selected tracks from across his whole career, comprising works from some 23 different artists and bands over a 40-year period. “I’ve deliberately avoided forcing them into industry categories such as ‘progressive rock’, ‘fusion’ or ‘jazz’,” Bruford adds, “on the grounds that most of the music I’ve been associated with fits very poorly into such straight-jackets - round holes and square pegs come to mind.”

The 6CD Box Set Making A Song and Dance: A Complete Career Collection includes tracks from YES, King Crimson, Bruford, Bill Bruford’s Earthworks, his work with iconic global guitarists Al Di Meola, Steve Howe and Kazumi Watanabe and collaborations with keyboardists Patrick Moraz and Michiel Borstlap and many others. The package also includes a detailed biography, written by Bruford, featuring rare and unseen photos. The outer box artwork, gatefold CDs and booklet have been designed by Bruford’s long-time artist and graphic designer Dave McKean.

Making A Song and Dance: A Complete Career Collection Track Listing:

THE COLLABORATOR
disc One
1. Yes - I’ve Seen all Good People
2. Yes - Heart of the Sunrise
3. Yes - And You & I
4. King Crimson – The Great Deceiver
5. King Crimson - Fracture
6. King Crimson - One More Red Nightmare
7. King Crimson - Starless
8. U.K. – Nevermore

disc Two
1. King Crimson - Frame by Frame
2. King Crimson - Neal and Jack and Me
3. King Crimson - Heartbeat
4. King Crimson - Waiting Man
5. Anderson, Bruford, Wakeman, Howe - Brother of Mine (Radio Edit)
6. King Crimson – Sex Sleep Eat Drink Dream
7. King Crimson – Larks’ Tongues in Aspic: Pt 2
8. King Crimson – Three of a Perfect Pair
9. King Crimson - Man with an Open Heart
10. King Crimson - Elephant Talk
11. King Crimson - Indiscipline
12. King Crimson - Big Funk
13. PianoCircus feat. Bill Bruford & Colin Riley – The Still Small Voice

THE COMPOSING LEADER
disc THREE
1. Bruford - Seems Like a Lifetime Ago: Pt 1
2. Bruford - Seems Like a Lifetime Ago: Pt 2
3. Bruford - One of a Kind: Pt 1
4. Bruford - One of a Kind: Pt 2
5. Bruford - Palewell Park
6. Bruford - Joe Frazier
7. Bill Bruford’s Earthworks - It Needn’t End in Tears
8. Bill Bruford’s Earthworks - My Heart Declares a Holiday
9. Bill Bruford’s Earthworks - Downtown
10. Bill Bruford’s Earthworks - Pilgrims’ Way
11. Bill Bruford’s Earthworks - Temple of the Winds
12. Bill Bruford’s Earthworks - Candles Still Flicker in Romania’s Dark
13. Bill Bruford’s Earthworks - Nerve
14. Bruford, Towner, Gomez – Thistledown

disc FOUR
1. Bill Bruford’s Earthworks - Beelzebub
2. Bruford-Levin - Original Sin
3. Bill Bruford’s Earthworks - Revel Without a Pause
4. Bill Bruford’s Earthworks - Triplicity
5. Bill Bruford’s Earthworks - The Sound of Surprise
6. Earthworks Underground Orchestra - Speaking in Wooden Tongues
7. Bill Bruford’s Earthworks - Modern Folk
8. Bill Bruford’s Earthworks - White Knuckle Wedding
9. Earthworks Underground Orchestra - Footloose and Fancy Free
10. Earthworks Underground Orchestra - Thud

THE SPECIAL GUEST
disc FIVE
1. Roy Harper - Grown Ups are Just Silly Children
2. Roy Harper - Hallucinating Light
3. Chris Squire - Lucky Seven (Single Edit)
4. Chris Squire – Silently Falling
5. Al Di Meola - Calliope
6. David Torn – Voodoo Chile
7. Kazumi Watanabe - Andre
8. Kazumi Watanabe - Small Wonder
9. Steve Howe - The Inner Battle
10. Buddy Rich Big Band - Lingo
11. Pete Lockett’s Network of Sparks feat. Bill Bruford - Prism
12. PianoCircus feat. Bill Bruford & Colin Riley – Achilles Feel

THE IMPROVISER
disc SIX
1. Moraz-Bruford - Galatea
2. Moraz-Bruford – Symmetry
3. PianoCircus feat. Bill Bruford & Colin Riley – Stalling Between Two Fools
4. King Crimson - No Warning
5. Moraz-Bruford - Flags
6. Moraz-Bruford -Split Seconds
7. David Torn – Previous Man
8. David Torn - Three Minutes of Pure Entertainment
9. Bruford-Borstlap - 16 Kingdoms of the 5 Barbarians
10. Bruford-Borstlap - Stand on Zanzibar
11. Earthworks - With Friends Like These…
12. Bruford-Borstlap - Low Tide, Camber Sands
13. Bruford-Borstlap – Kinship

Making A Song and Dance: A Complete Career Collection will be released as a 6CD Box Set on April 29th through BMG. Pre-order it here: https://billbruford.lnk.to/MASDPR

photo by Dave McKean

About Bill Bruford

Bill Bruford was a founder member (1968 – 1972) of progressive pioneers YES performing on, and composing for, their genre-defining trilogy The YES Album, Fragile and Close To The Edge. He would renew this association as a member of Anderson Bruford Wakeman Howe (ABWH) in 1989 and for the YES Union album and tour of 1991 and 1992. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of YES in 2017.

Known for his ringing metal snare drum, crisp cymbal work and knack for complex time signatures, Bruford sought new challenges and King Crimson’s ever-shifting musical horizons gave Bruford the opportunity to explore and experiment across the following 25 years. Bruford completed his hat-trick of prog giants by joining Genesis for their first tour with Phil Collins as frontman.

Alongside his work with King Crimson, Bruford was touring with National Health, was a member of another prog-rock supergroup UK and leading his own jazz fusion band Bruford.

In 1986 he formed Bill Bruford’s Earthworks to further explore his love of jazz, a project that would last until Bruford retired from music in 2009. Along the way Bruford founded two record imprints Winterfold Records and Summerfold Records. He was ever in demand for collaborations with the likes of Patrick Moraz and Michiel Borstlap whilst also appearing on works by Roy Harper, Al Di Meola, David Torn, Kazumi Watanabe and many, many more. Through all this he continued as an active clinician with workshops and clinics all over the world, supported by Tama Drums and Paiste cymbals.

Bill Bruford’s achievements were recognised by his appearance in Rolling Stone magazine’s Top 20 ‘Greatest Drummers of All Time’ list. Following retirement from public performance in 2009, Bill authored an autobiography (2009) and was awarded a PhD in musicology from the University of Surrey in 2016. His most recent volume Uncharted: Creativity and the Expert Drummer (2018) is published by the University of Michigan Press.

For more information about Bill Bruford:
https://billbruford.com/
Facebook @Bill Bruford

For more information about the box set Making A Song and Dance: A Complete Career Collection: info.uk@bmg.com

Press inquiries: Glass Onyon PR, Billy James, PH: 1-828-350-8158 (US), glassonyonpr@gmail.com

8/11/2021

Bill Bruford Announces the Availability of His Whole Back Catalogue on Digital Platforms - For the First Time!

Legendary drummer Bill Bruford recorded numerous solo albums outside his commitments to YES and King Crimson that hold a treasured place in many fans’ rock and jazz collections.

Bill’s first band was the eponymously-named Bruford (1977-80) following which he recorded two studio albums with Patrick Moraz. In 1986 he formed Earthworks as a deliberate return to his roots in jazz, encouraging the use of rock technology with jazz sensibility – the hallmark of Earthworks’ stylish approach. There have been further collaborations with Tony Levin, David Torn, Ralph Towner, Eddie Gomez, Michiel Borstlap, Colin Riley and various percussion ensembles along the way.

However, until now, most of these albums haven’t been available on Download and Streaming platforms. Bruford has personally curated a re-release series of all his albums in physical formats, including the giant Earthworks Complete box set, so he is pleased to announce the availability of his albums digitally.

Of this new availability Bill commented: “If you like to consume your music interests digitally, and have a moment to check out all things Bruford, or maybe take a listen to my solo and collaboration albums, or Earthworks’ albums for the first time, then, in all sincerity, it’s a pleasure to know my entire catalogue can now be downloaded and streamed.”

All of the albums have been released on Bill Bruford’s own Summerfold and Winterfold Records (via Cherry Red) and can be found on digital platforms using the below links:

Bill Bruford: http://cherryred.co/BillBruford
Bruford: http://cherryred.co/Bruford
Bill Bruford’s Earthworks: http://cherryred.co/BBrufordsEarthworks

Bill has now retired from recording and performing live, but enthusiasm for his back catalogue remains substantial and growing. He is currently working on a career-spanning Anthology for release in 2022.

Bill Bruford’s website is www.billbruford.com or check out https://www.facebook.com/billbruford

Press Inquiries: Glass Onyon PR, PH: 1-828-350-8158, glassonyonpr@gmail.com

(Bill Bruford photo by Marilyn Kingwell)

10/30/2020

Drum Legend Bill Bruford’s “Rock Goes To College” Deluxe CD/DVD Edition Now Available!

Bill Bruford was the original drummer in Yes and was a long-term member of King Crimson. His band ‘Bruford’ recorded this BBC broadcast in 1979.

The DVD in this package is the only officially released concert footage of the band that exists, and as such has achieved legendary status.

The line-up on this album is: Bill Bruford (drums, percussion), Allan Holdsworth (guitar), Dave Stewart (keyboards), Jeff Berlin (bass) and Annette Peacock (voice).

Bill says of the re-release: “This was a baptism by fire, our first gig in the first few days of the band’s existence. At the beginning of it I wasn’t sure. By the end, I knew we were on to something serious.”

This definitive re-release was overseen personally by Bill Bruford and is released on his own Winterfold Records via Cherry Red.

To purchase:
Amazon CD/DVD: https://geni.us/WFBX5
iTunes: https://geni.us/WFBX5i
Spotify: https://geni.us/WFBX5s

Bill Bruford’s official website: https://billbruford.com/

Press inquiries: Glass Onyon PR, PH: 1-828-350-8158 (US), glassonyonpr@gmail.com

Drum Legend Bill Bruford’s “Rock Goes To College” Deluxe CD/DVD Edition Now Available!

Bill Bruford was the original drummer in Yes and was a long-term member of King Crimson. His band ‘Bruford’ recorded this BBC broadcast in 1979.

The DVD in this package is the only officially released concert footage of the band that exists, and as such has achieved legendary status.

The line-up on this album is: Bill Bruford (drums, percussion), Allan Holdsworth (guitar), Dave Stewart (keyboards), Jeff Berlin (bass) and Annette Peacock (voice).

This definitive re-release was overseen personally by Bill Bruford and is released on his own Winterfold Records via Cherry Red.

To purchase:
Amazon CD/DVD: https://geni.us/WFBX5
iTunes: https://geni.us/WFBX5i
Spotify: https://geni.us/WFBX5s

Bill Bruford’s official website: https://billbruford.com/

Press inquiries: Glass Onyon PR, PH: 1-828-350-8158 (US), glassonyonpr@gmail.com

11/27/2019

Bill Bruford’s Earthworks Announce the Release of ‘Heavenly Bodies - The Expanded Collection’ – Available Now!

Bill Bruford was the drummer with Yes and King Crimson before he moved to jazz with his band Earthworks. Heavenly Bodies – The Expanded Collection takes 23 tracks from the ‘Earthworks Complete’ Deluxe box set to present a tidy overview of the band’s 20-year history in a double CD.

Bruford says: “Heavenly Bodies - The Expanded Collection serves as the ideal ‘beginners’ guide’ for newcomers to the band. Progressive Jazz isn’t a million miles from Progressive Rock: both genres prioritise change from inside and out. People would come away from our gigs saying “I didn’t think I liked jazz, but if that’s jazz, I love it!” Heavenly Bodies - The Expanded Collection is the perfect jumping off point to dip your toes in the water.”

Heavenly Bodies – The Expanded Collection can be ordered here: https://geni.us/BBSF029CD

All audio, visual and print materials for this compilation were sourced and curated by Bill Bruford and the package comes with additional original artwork by award-winning illustrator, photographer and filmmaker Dave McKean.

The 20 CD / 4 DVD Earthworks Complete deluxe box set was released in mid-2019 and continues to be available here: https://geni.us/EarthworksComplete

A tremendous treasure trove of material known and previously unheard (All about Jazz)

This is a heady concoction indeed, and one which joyously breaks down all sorts of musical barriers in its path
(The Times, London)

[Earthworks] mixes up styles, moods and meters as effortlessly as it ignores musical boundaries (Wall St. Journal)

Press inquiries: Glass Onyon PR, PH: 1-828-350-8158 (US), glassonyonpr@gmail.com

Bill Bruford’s Earthworks Announce the Release of ‘Heavenly Bodies - The Expanded Collection’ – Available Now!

7/26/2019

Bill Bruford’s ‘Earthworks Complete’ 20 CD / 4 DVD Deluxe Box Set Containing Earthworks' Entire Catalogue Spanning 20 Years Now Available!

Includes 15 official releases plus previously unreleased and little known material!

London - A Summerfold Records reissue, Bill Bruford’s ‘Earthworks Complete’ is a spectacular 20CD/4DVD box set of the entire back catalogue across Earthworks' 20-year career. Includes previously unreleased and little known material.

What's in the box?

15 titles on 20 CDs and 4 DVDs document the 20 year history from 1987 to 2006 of one of the UK's brightest, most travelled and best loved young jazz ensembles.
Featuring Bill Bruford with Iain Ballamy, Django Bates, Patrick Clahar, Laurence Cottle, Tim Garland, Steve Hamilton, Tim Harries, Mark Hodgson, Mick Hutton, Gwilym Simcock.
All audio, visual and print materials compiled and curated by Bill Bruford.
Additional original artwork by award-winning illustrator, photographer and filmmaker Dave McKean.
Orders via Cherry Red and Burning Shed include a postcard of Dave McKean’s artwork, hand signed by Bill Bruford, while stocks last.

1. Earthworks
2. Dig?
3. All Heaven Broke Loose
4. Stamping Ground- Live
5. A Part, and Yet Apart
6. The Sound of Surprise
7. Footloose and Fancy Free (2CD)
8. Random Acts of Happiness
9. Footloose in NYC (2CD & 1DVD set)
10. A Video Anthology Volume 1: 2000s (2CD & 1DVD set)
11. A Video Anthology Volume 2: 1990s (2CD & 1DVD set)
12. Earthworks Underground Orchestra
13. Earthworks in Santiago, Chile (1CD & 1DVD set: previously unreleased video)
14. From Conception to Birth (17 short tracks showing the process from demo to master, with explanatory notes from Bill Bruford)
15. Heavenly Bodies Expanded (2CD “best of” collection across the entire catalogue, with explanatory notes from Bill Bruford)

What do people say?

A tremendous treasure trove of material known and previously unheard. (All About Jazz).

This is a heady concoction indeed, and one which joyously breaks down all sorts of musical barriers in its path. (The Times, London)

It mixes up styles, moods and meters as effortlessly as it ignores musical boundaries. (Wall St. Journal)

Earthworks makes jazz out of just about anything handy… (Jazziz)

To purchase:
Amazon: https://geni.us/EarthworksComplete

Burning Shed: https://burningshed.com/store/billbruford/bill-bruford-earthworks_complete_boxset

Cherry Red: https://www.cherryred.co.uk/product/bill-bruford-earthworks-complete-20cd-4dvd-deluxe-boxset/

Press inquiries:
Glass Onyon PR, PH: 1-828-350-8158 (US), glassonyonpr@gmail.com

Bill Bruford’s ‘Earthworks Complete’ 20 CD / 4 DVD Deluxe Box Set Containing Earthworks' Entire Catalogue Spanning 20 Years Now Available!

Includes 15 official releases plus previously unreleased and little known material!

15 titles on 20 CDs and 4 DVDs document the 20 year history from 1987 to 2006 of one of the UK's brightest, most travelled and best loved young jazz ensembles.
Featuring Bill Bruford with Iain Ballamy, Django Bates, Patrick Clahar, Laurence Cottle, Tim Garland, Steve Hamilton, Tim Harries, Mark Hodgson, Mick Hutton, Gwilym Simcock.
All audio, visual and print materials compiled and curated by Bill Bruford.
Additional original artwork by award-winning illustrator, photographer and filmmaker Dave McKean.
Orders via Cherry Red and Burning Shed include a postcard of Dave McKean’s artwork, hand signed by Bill Bruford, while stocks last.

6/16/2018

Drum Legend and Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Inductee Bill Bruford's Definitive Boxed Set "Bruford 1977-1980: Seems Like A Lifetime Ago" Nominated For Progressive Music Awards "Reissue of the Year"!

Drum legend and Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee Bill Bruford's recently released definitive boxed set “Bruford 1977-1980: Seems Like A Lifetime Ago” has been nominated for “Reissue of the Year” by Progressive Music Awards. Containing the collected works of the band on one extraordinary 6cd/2dvd-a box set, “Seems Like A Lifetime Ago” is a magnificent testament to one of the UK's most inventive and important Progressive Fusion bands.

Voting has begun and will remain open until August 24, 2018. Cast your vote here!
https://www.loudersound.com/features/vote-now-in-the-2018-progressive-music-awards/7

Bill Bruford's official website: http://www.billbruford.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/billbruford/

Press inquiries: Glass Onyon PR, PH: 828-350-8158 (US), glassonyonpr@gmail.com

Drum Legend and Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Inductee Bill Bruford's Definitive Boxed Set "Bruford 1977-1980: Seems Like A Lifetime Ago" Nominated For Progressive Music Awards "Reissue of the Year"!

1/30/2018

Scholar and Drum Legend Bill Bruford Authors New Book, "Uncharted: Creativity and the Expert Drummer"

Pre-order in hardback, softback or e-book

Scholar and Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee Bill Bruford, best known for his work with Yes, King Crimson, Genesis and his prolific solo career, has authored a new book, to be Published by the University of Michigan Press on January 28th. Pre-orders are now being taken.

What’s it about?

The book is an exploration of the creativity involved in the way drummers make things work, make things matter, and make sense of both. It draws on interviews with nine top drummers and Bruford’s own experience to improve understanding in collaborative popular music performance. What do expert drummers do? Why do they do it? Is there anything creative about it? If so, how might that creativity inform their practice and that of others in related artistic spheres? Applying ideas from cultural psychology to findings from original research into the creative behaviors of a specific subset of popular music instrumentalists, Bruford demonstrates the ways in which expert drummers experience creativity in performance and offers fresh insights into in-the-moment interactional processes in music.

Why buy?

“If you’re an instrumentalist” recommends Bill, “give it to the nearest drummer, so he or she knows what drummers are for. If you’re a drummer give it to the other people in your band, so they know what drummers are for. And get a copy for yourself, so you know what drummers are for!”

Early praise for ‘Uncharted’

“… an intelligent, thought-provoking treatise on the notion of creativity in Western popular music. Over the course of a number of interviews and case studies involving expert drummers, Bill Bruford examines how such practitioners approach and understand creativity. In the process, he crafts a relational processual model for understanding creativity and the creative process for real-time interactive performing arts (theatre, dance, music). The result is a fascinating and rewarding read that will surely affect players and listeners alike as they think about the concept of finding ‘creative meaning in making it work and making it matter.’”
—Rob Bowman, Grammy Award Winning Professor of Music

“After forty years of creating professional music, pretty much all of it to his taste (passing rare), Bill Bruford has laid down the torches — and tried to capture their flame in words. Begin by running your eyes down the list of Bill’s collaborators. The expert performers and teachers will attract any reader with more than a passing affection for music. Simply put, it is a lights-out masterpiece of useful insight and passionate, reflective wisdom.”
—Neil Peart, drummer Rush

“The contributions of the wide-ranging active percussionists Bruford surveyed will make this an important primary document for future researchers examining the role of drummers in group improvisation, the recording process, and more.”
—Kevin Holm-Hudson, University of Kentucky

“The book lives up to its expectations. Drawing on his own insider’s knowledge and extensive interviews with an impressive roster of expert drummers about the nature of creativity and what it means to them, Bruford has produced a brilliant ethnography of professional drummers and drumming culture in the rock era.”
—Mark Spicer, Hunter College and the CUNY Graduate Center

“It is no surprise to find Dr. Bruford so eloquently putting into language that which springs from such a non-linguistic source. Bill’s scholarly insights matched with a career’s-worth of personal experience shed an authoritative light on the creative role of the drummer. In today’s world of computer-generated rhythmic music, how wonderful to tap into this most organic and visceral element in music’s heritage, and deepen our appreciation of this immense creativity, past and present.”
—Tim Garland, saxophonist, composer

“The author cites relevant scholarly work, his roster of drum experts is beyond question (including himself), but most importantly, the insights he synthesizes from his source material are both original and valuable.”
—Shaugn O’Donnell, The City College, CUNY

How to order

Bill Bruford's “Uncharted: Creativity and the Expert Drummer”:

University of Michigan Press: https://www.press.umich.edu/9562155/uncharted ;

Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/Uncharted-Creativity-Expert-Drummer-Tracking/dp/0472053787 ;

Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Uncharted-Creativity-Expert-Drummer-Tracking/dp/0472073788 ;

Eurospan UK: https://www.eurospanbookstore.com/uncharted.html

Bill Bruford's official website: http://www.billbruford.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/billbruford/

Press inquiries: Glass Onyon PR, PH: 828-350-8158 (US), glassonyonpr@gmail.com

Scholar and Drum Legend Bill Bruford Authors New Book, "Uncharted: Creativity and the Expert Drummer"

Pre-order in hardback, softback or e-book

8/26/2017

Drum Legend and Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Inductee Bill Bruford Releases Definitive Boxed Set, "Bruford 1977-1980: Seems Like A Lifetime Ago"

Pre-order the Limited Edition 8-disc Box Set, with unreleased, remixed or remastered material & a signed certificate

Drum legend and Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee Bill Bruford, best known for his work with YES, King Crimson, Genesis and his prolific solo career, is releasing the definitive boxed set “Bruford 1977-1980: Seems Like A Lifetime Ago.” Scheduled for release on Winterfold Records on October 28th, pre-orders are now being taken for the Limited Edition 8-disc set, which features unreleased, remixed or remastered material & a signed certificate.

WATCH THE PREVIEWS:

Bill Bruford reflects on embarking on a solo career and forming Bruford: “I wanted to play drums in a certain way and if you want to hear them played in that way you've got to write the song. You've got to control the audio environment in which your drums are going to be heard and once you're doing that you're into a solo career. Looking back, the band despatched these tricky little compositions with a smile on its face; with brio, vigour and only a handful of wrong notes. The band was over-caffeinated - short on subtlety but long on the sort of majestic stately themes with antecedents in progressive rock that set it apart from contemporaneous American outfits. We were a rock group with a jazz sensibility, rather than a jazz group with rock leanings.”

WHAT'S IN THE BOX?
A new 8-disc limited edition set of previously unreleased, remixed, or remastered material from the Bruford band of the late 1970s, presented in a 12” box complete with 16-page colour booklet and a signed, numbered certificate of authentication. Four gatefold sleeves contain two discs each:

Disc 1 DVD: Feels Good To Me: 5.1 surround sound mix and original 1978 mix remastered
Disc 2 CD: Feels Good To Me: 2017 Jakko Jakszyk remix from original master tapes
Disc 3 DVD: One of a Kind: 5.1 surround sound mix and original 1979 mix remastered plus additional audio
Disc 4 CD: One of a Kind: 2017 Jakko Jakszyk remix from original master tapes
Disc 5 CD: Gradually Going Tornado: remastered
Disc 6 CD: The Bruford Tapes: remastered with bonus track
Disc 7 CD: Live at the Venue: previously unreleased: recorded London 1980
Disc 8 CD: The 4th Album Rehearsal Sessions: previously unreleased: eighteen sketches of new material recorded 1980

ALSO INCLUDES:
16-page 12” booklet with a Sid Smith essay, new interviews with producer, engineer, band members, eyewitnesses and others, previously unseen archive visual material, and the complete band date sheet with contemporary critical reaction. Also two black and white 10” x 8” band photos, one A3 size colour poster accompanying “Live at the Venue”, and one signed, numbered certificate of authentication. The boxed set is produced by Bill Bruford.

Containing the collected works of Bruford on one extraordinary 6cd/2dvd-a box set, “Seems Like A Lifetime Ago” is a magnificent testament to one of the UK's most inventive and important Progressive Fusion bands.

Featuring 2017 remastered versions of the albums “Feels Good To Me” (1978), “One Of A Kind” (1979), “The Bruford Tapes” (1979), and “Gradually Going Tornado” (1980), the set additionally includes the previously unreleased “Live At The Venue” (from 1980) and the highly sought after “4th Album Rehearsal Sessions” (also from 1980).

“Bruford 1977-1980: Seems Like A Lifetime Ago” showcases the prodigious talents of Bill Bruford, Dave Stewart, the late Allan Holdsworth (who the album is dedicated to), Jeff Berlin and The 'Unknown' John Clark.

Says Dave Stewart, “The great thing about Bill is that he's not just a drummer. He doesn't just think about what he's playing...he's thinking about the whole picture; thinking about soundscapes; what the guitar is doing; the arrangement; the keyboard sounds and so on. He's got this composer/arranger mentality which was there from the beginning and he evolved through the life of the band. He's a deep-thinking musician and it was great working with him for that very reason.”

Jeff Berlin adds, “I learned a lot from Bill. Bill was the person who opened more doors for me not only with regards to reputation...he opened up doors to me about sound, presentation, interplay, the elements of a performance, the elements of group interaction. I think it was one of the happiest and musically productive periods I ever had in my career. I was working with fine human beings and with fine musicians.”

“Feels Good To Me” and “One Of A Kind” are available on both remastered CD and DVD-a, the latter featuring 2017 5.1 mixes by Jakko Jakszyk. Says King Crimson's Jakszyk on remixing “Feels Good To Me” and “One Of A Kind” into surround sound, “I use the original mixes as a guide and Bill handed over the whole 5.1 remix to me. It becomes an immersive experience. I'm not talking about flying instruments around 360 degrees. While that's possible it's also ridiculous...it's all about sculpting the sound into three dimensions. The new versions of these albums sound much bigger, fatter and warmer and whilst I'm keen to take credit for that the reality is that this is Dave Stewart, Jeff Berlin, Bill Bruford and Allan Holdsworth, and it's not just about their playing abilities; it's that they've got their sound together and what you need to do is replicate that and not mess about with it.”

To pre-order Bill Bruford's “Bruford 1977-1980: Seems Like A Lifetime Ago” Boxed Set:
Burning Shed: https://burningshed.com/bruford_feels-like-a-lifetime-ago_boxset
PledgeMusic: www.pledgemusic.com/bruford

Bill Bruford's official website: http://www.billbruford.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/billbruford/

Press inquiries: Glass Onyon PR, PH: 828-350-8158 (US), glassonyonpr@gmail.com