One of a Kind (Bruford album)

Last updated

One of a Kind
Bruford-OneOfAKind.jpg
Studio album by
ReleasedJune 1979
RecordedJanuary-February 1979
Studio Trident Studios, London
Genre Jazz fusion
Length46:28
Label EG/Polydor
Producer Bill Bruford
Bruford chronology
Feels Good to Me
(1978)
One of a Kind
(1979)
The Bruford Tapes
(1979)
Singles from One of a Kind
  1. "Hell's Bells"
    Released: 18 April 1980 [1]

One of a Kind is the second solo album by the drummer Bill Bruford, and the first proper album by his band Bruford. Released in 1979 on EG Records, it is a collection of instrumentals in a style that can loosely be defined as jazz fusion. Bruford features guitarist Allan Holdsworth, bassist Jeff Berlin, and keyboardist Dave Stewart. "Forever Until Sunday" and "The Sahara of Snow" had originally been performed at 1978 concerts by Bruford and Holdsworth’s previous band U.K. They were intended for a studio album, but were never properly recorded by U.K. as Bruford kept the pieces for himself when he and Holdsworth exited the band. U.K. bandmate Eddie Jobson co-wrote "The Sahara of Snow" and reprises his violin part on "Forever Until Sunday". Stewart's "Hell's Bells" utilizes a fragment penned by his former National Health colleague Alan Gowen (the 3-chord pattern underlying the guitar solo). Holdsworth's "The Abingdon Chasp" is the only piece he wrote for Bruford.

Contents

Reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svg [2]
The Penguin Guide to Jazz Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [3]

In a review for AllMusic, Dave Connolly wrote: "Good-humored twists and turns abound in the music... Those who enjoy their fusion with a healthy dose of rock will find One of a Kind a fair match for anything from Return to Forever or Brand X." [2]

The authors of The Penguin Guide to Jazz Recordings called the music "strongly melodic, freewheeling and built round Bruford's ringing percussion." [3]

John Kelman of All About Jazz praised the "firmly-cemented group sound, and... consistent set of compositions," and commented: "The same characteristics found on Feels Good to Me are evident on One of a Kind, with everyone demonstrating palpable growth... the magic of One of a Kind is that it remains compelling and accessible... Solos flow organically throughout the long-form compositions, integrated in ways that makes them feel a part of the larger whole." [4]

Exposé Online's Jeff Melton stated: "From the get-go, 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." [5]

In an article for Sounds of Surprise, Matt Phillips wrote: "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." [6]

Track listing

Side A
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Hell's Bells" Dave Stewart, Alan Gowen 3:32
2."One of a Kind, Pt. 1" Bill Bruford 2:20
3."One of a Kind, Pt. 2"Bruford, Dave Stewart 4:00
4."Travels with Myself – And Someone Else"Bruford6:10
5."Fainting in Coils"Bruford6:33
Total length:22:35
Side B
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Five G" Jeff Berlin, Bruford, Dave Stewart 4:41
2."The Abingdon Chasp"Allan Holdsworth4:50
3."Forever Until Sunday"Bruford5:46
4."The Sahara of Snow, Pt. 1"Bruford5:18
5."The Sahara of Snow, Pt. 2"Bruford, Eddie Jobson 3:23
Total length:23:58
2005 bonus track
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Manacles (live 1979)"Bruford, Dave Stewart 7:25
Total length:7:25

Personnel

with

Production

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Allan Holdsworth</span> British musician (1946–2017)

Allan Holdsworth was a British jazz and rock guitarist, violinist and composer. He contributed to numerous bands, including Soft Machine, U.K., The Tony Williams Lifetime, Pierre Moerlen's Gong and Bruford, in addition to solo work.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bill Bruford</span> English drummer (b. 1949)

William Scott Bruford is an English retired drummer and percussionist who first gained prominence as a founding member of the progressive rock band Yes. After leaving Yes in 1972, Bruford spent the rest of the 1970s recording and touring with King Crimson (1972–1974), Roy Harper (1975), and U.K. (1978), as well as touring with Genesis (1976). In 1978, he formed his own group, Bruford, which was active until 1980.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">U.K. (band)</span> British progressive rock supergroup

U.K. were a British progressive rock supergroup originally active from 1977 to 1980. The band was founded by bass guitarist John Wetton and drummer Bill Bruford, formerly the rhythm section of King Crimson. The band was rounded out by violinist/keyboardist Eddie Jobson, and guitarist Allan Holdsworth. Bruford and Holdsworth left in 1978, and Bruford was replaced by drummer Terry Bozzio. Jobson, Wetton and Bozzio reformed U.K. for a world tour in 2012.

<i>Gradually Going Tornado</i> 1980 studio album by Bruford

Gradually Going Tornado is the third solo album by drummer Bill Bruford and the second and final album by his group Bruford. It was co-produced by Bruford and Ron Malo, the latter known from his work with Weather Report. The music on the album leans closer to progressive rock than the jazz fusion oriented sound of the band’s previous albums. More of Bruford's lyrics are featured as well, for the first time sung by bassist Jeff Berlin. "Land's End" incorporates music keyboardist Dave Stewart had previously composed for the National Health album Of Queues and Cures (1978). Guitarist Allan Holdsworth left the group before recording began, and recommended his guitar student John Clark as his replacement. Clark was listed as “the Unknown John Clark” on the album sleeve as part of a running joke highlighting his obscurity in comparison to Holdsworth.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jeff Berlin</span> American jazz fusion bassist

Jeffrey Arthur Berlin is an American jazz fusion bassist. He first came to prominence in the 1970s as a member of the band Bruford led by drummer Bill Bruford.

<i>U.K.</i> (album) 1978 studio album by U.K.

U.K. is the debut album by the progressive rock supergroup U.K., released in May 1978 through E.G. Records and Polydor Records. It features John Wetton, Eddie Jobson, Bill Bruford, and Allan Holdsworth. The album was well received by FM album rock radio and by the public during the summer of 1978. The LP sold just over 250,000 copies by 1 September 1978, with further sales through the rest of the year. The album was remastered in 2016 and included as part of the box-set "Ultimate Collector's Edition". "In the Dead of Night" and "Mental Medication" were both edited for a single A- and B-side release.

<i>Danger Money</i> 1979 studio album by U.K.

Danger Money is the second and final studio album by the progressive rock supergroup U.K., featuring John Wetton, Eddie Jobson and Terry Bozzio. It was released by E.G. Records / Polydor in March 1979. Early versions of "The Only Thing She Needs", "Caesar's Palace Blues" and "Carrying No Cross" had been performed on tour throughout 1978 by the band's original line-up with Bill Bruford and Allan Holdsworth. "Rendezvous 6:02" and "Nothing to Lose" were both edited for single release.

<i>Earthworks</i> (album) 1987 studio album by Bill Brufords Earthworks

Earthworks is the first album by Bill Bruford's Earthworks, a jazz fusion band led by drummer Bill Bruford with keyboardist and trumpeter Django Bates, saxophonist Iain Ballamy, and acoustic bassist Mick Hutton. It was released in 1987 on EG Records and reissued on Summerforld in 2005. The album was co-produced by Bruford's former bandmate Dave Stewart.

<i>Concert Classics, Vol. 4</i> 1999 live album by U.K.

Concert Classics is a live album originally recorded for radio broadcast by the band U.K. This album was originally released without the approval of the band, thus it was considered a bootleg.

<i>Road Games</i> (EP) 1983 EP by Allan Holdsworth

Road Games is an EP by guitarist Allan Holdsworth, released in 1983 through Warner Bros. Records originally on vinyl only; a CD edition was reissued through Gnarly Geezer Records in 2001.

<i>Hard Hat Area</i> 1993 studio album by Allan Holdsworth

Hard Hat Area is the eighth studio album by guitarist Allan Holdsworth, released in 1993 through Polydor Records (Japan), JMS–Cream Records (Europe) and Fred Bloggs Music, and in 1994 through Restless Records ; a remastered edition with expanded liner notes was reissued on 15 May 2012 through MoonJune Records.

<i>None Too Soon</i> 1996 studio album by Allan Holdsworth

None Too Soon is the ninth studio album by guitarist Allan Holdsworth, released on 24 September 1996 by Polydor Records (Japan), JMS–Cream Records (Europe) and Restless Records ; a remastered edition was reissued on 17 April 2012 through MoonJune Records.

<i>Feels Good to Me</i> 1978 studio album by Bruford

Feels Good to Me is the only solo studio album by former Yes and King Crimson drummer Bill Bruford. The band Bruford grew out of the line-up assembled for this album. The album features guitarist Allan Holdsworth, bassist Jeff Berlin, keyboardist Dave Stewart, and ECM stalwart Kenny Wheeler on fluegelhorn. Bruford also enlisted singer-songwriter Annette Peacock and Brand X guitarist John Goodsall. Dave Stewart was a pivotal figure in the music of the Canterbury scene with groups like Egg, Hatfield and the North and National Health, but despite his strong playing presence, the album does not sound much like the Canterbury bands, and is instead closer to contemporaries Brand X.

<i>The Atacama Experience</i> 2007 studio album by Jean-Luc Ponty

The Atacama Experience is an album by French violinist Jean-Luc Ponty that was released in 2007. It reached number 24 on the Billboard Top Jazz Albums chart, Ponty's first charting album since Live at Chene Park in 1996. It is his first studio album in six years since Life Enigma. The album personnel consists of Ponty's regular touring band with guest appearances by guitarists Allan Holdsworth and Philip Catherine. The title refers to the Atacama Desert on the Pacific coast of Chile. In the first edition of the album the name "Acatama" was used by mistake.

<i>Ultimate Zero Tour – Live</i> 2010 live album by Eddie Jobson

Ultimate Zero Tour - Live is a live album by Eddie Jobson and his U-Z Project. The album is compiled from 2009 performances in Poland, Russia, and the United States by various line-ups. Musicians include John Wetton, Tony Levin, Greg Howe, Trey Gunn, Marco Minnemann and Simon Phillips. The album marks the first time Jobson and Wetton publicly collaborated since the breakup of U.K. in 1979.

<i>The Bruford Tapes</i> 1979 live album by Bruford

The Bruford Tapes is a live 1979 album by the British band Bruford, only issued in the United States, Canada and Japan. It was recorded on July 12, 1979 in Roslyn, New York State and originally broadcast on WLIR radio. Shortly before the tour, guitarist Allan Holdsworth left the band and was replaced by his student John Clark, who had played with the prog group Quasar. The show features extended performances of material from the group's previous two albums Feels Good to Me and One of a Kind.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bruford (band)</span> British jazz-fusion band

Bruford were a band assembled and led by British drummer Bill Bruford, originating in the late 1970s.

<i>The Man Who Changed Guitar Forever! The Allan Holdsworth Album Collection</i> 2017 box set by Allan Holdsworth

The Man Who Changed Guitar Forever! The Allan Holdsworth Album Collection is a box set by the English jazz fusion guitarist Allan Holdsworth. It was released by Manifesto Records on 7 April 2017.

<i>Blues for Tony</i> 2009 live album by Allan Holdsworth, Alan Pasqua, Jimmy Haslip, and Chad Wackerman

Blues for Tony is a live album by guitarist Allan Holdsworth, keyboardist Alan Pasqua, bassist Jimmy Haslip, and drummer Chad Wackerman. It was recorded in 2007, and was released as a double CD set by Moonjune Records in 2009. The album, which is dedicated to drummer Tony Williams, was issued after the release of a DVD titled Live At Yoshi's, featuring the same personnel. Pasqua appears on Holdsworth's first solo album, and both Holdsworth and Pasqua were members of the New Tony Williams Lifetime during the mid-1970s, recording two albums with that band, Believe It (1975) and Million Dollar Legs (1976).

References

  1. "Music Week" (PDF). p. 48.
  2. 1 2 Connolly, Dave. One of a Kind at AllMusic. Retrieved March 27, 2012.
  3. 1 2 Cook, Richard; Morton, Brian (2006). The Penguin Guide to Jazz Recordings. Penguin Books. p. 185.
  4. Kelman, John (24 April 2005). "Bill Bruford: Feels Good To Me And One Of A Kind". All About Jazz. Retrieved 27 September 2022.
  5. Melton, Jeff (1 September 2005). "Review - Bruford - One of a Kind". Exposé Online. Retrieved 27 September 2022.
  6. Phillips, Matt (16 April 2021). "Bruford: One of a Kind Revisited". Sounds of Surprise. Retrieved 27 September 2022.