EARTHWORKS

Warning!!! This is strictly a jazz-fusion record, and while Bruford's self-titled project had prog-jazzers Allan Holdsworth and Dave Stewart on board to ensure the odd moment that would appeal to prog fans, there are no such safeguards on this record. If you don't like jazz-fusion, avoid this like the plague.

That said, Earthworks which comprised Bruford, reed man Iain Bellamy, keyboardist/trumpeter (ahem) Django Bates and acoustic bass player Mick Hutton do come up with some really pleasant moments. Despite a truly garish sound that kills some songs (you can tell that this was recorded in 1986!) and a few excursions into elevator jazz territory, there's a vibrant joyful vibe that underpins tracks like Thud and the Carribean-flavoured Up North and that makes this record a little hard to trash.

The best "prog" moments are probably Emotional Shirt (which has a great bit of drumming halfway through), the second half of Pressure, the wierd riffs that hold Bridge Of Inhibition together and a mini drum solo towards the end of My Heart Declares A Holiday.

Nonetheless, I'd like to repeat my warning that this record is rarely progressive, occassionally terrible and will generally appeal only to those who are looking for a slightly more creative version of Sypra Gyra, The Rippingtons, The Yellowjackets and the like. ... 24% on the MPV scale