In past incarnations of Bill Bruford's Earthworks, music often centered around the drummer's electronic sound sculptures using digital triggers and chordal drums. The approach yielded fine results, but Bruford up and changed everything when, in 1995, he christened a new Earthworks. Ditching the technology in favor of a trad jazz kit, his music began reaching back to cool, hard bop, and old-school fusion. In addition to now playing his kit in an unorthodox arrangement, Bruford moved the emphasis from nifty electronics to the ...
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In past incarnations of Bill Bruford's Earthworks, music often centered around the drummer's electronic sound sculptures using digital triggers and chordal drums. The approach yielded fine results, but Bruford up and changed everything when, in 1995, he christened a new Earthworks. Ditching the technology in favor of a trad jazz kit, his music began reaching back to cool, hard bop, and old-school fusion. In addition to now playing his kit in an unorthodox arrangement, Bruford moved the emphasis from nifty electronics to the kinetic energy generated by his impressive polyrhythmic work. On "Triplicity," his orchestration boasts a dizzying array of time changes, the tempo kept constant only by the hi-hat. It's an aural exercise (albeit a very enjoyable one) just keeping pace. On the spicy "Teaching Vera to Dance," the groove is modern funk; on "Cloud Cuckoo Land," a modified merengue. Saxophonist Patrick Clahar does an excellent job keeping up with Bruford and pianist Steve Hamilton's changes, but his energies would be better used in emphasizing melody than in rhythmic acrobatics, as his sweetly romantic playing on the languid "Come to Dust" only confirms. But for all the obtuse rhythms and expert playing, The Sound of Surprise lacks a certain sense of drama, which previous Earthworks albums (notably All Heaven Broke Loose and even the concert document Live: Stamping Ground) had in spades. Precisely what made the early Earthworks records so interesting were the chordal drums, largely horn-driven songs, and more progressive outlook. Going back to a trad jazz quartet format feels somehow like a step backward. [This version includes the bonus track "Sounds of Surprise."] ~ John Duffy, Rovi
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Add this copy of Sound of Surprise to cart. $4.59, very good condition, Sold by Dream Books Co. rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Denver, CO, UNITED STATES, published 2001 by Discipline.
Add this copy of Sound of Surprise to cart. $27.61, like new condition, Sold by Sci Fi, etc. rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Knoxville, TN, UNITED STATES, published 2001 by Discipline Us.
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Seller's Description:
Fine/Fine. Size: 5x4x0; The disk, artwork and jewel case are all like new. Discipline Us, 2001. Music CD Retail Edition. The disk condition is Fine. The jewel case condition is Fine.
![Sound of Surprise [Bonus Track] - Bill Bruford's Earthworks](https://www4.alibris-static.com/sound-of-surprise-bonus-track/cover/s72582tdls7_l.jpg)
![Sound of Surprise [Bonus Track]](https://www4.alibris-static.com/sound-of-surprise-bonus-track/cover/s72582tdls7.jpg)
