BRUFORD: GRADUALLY GOING TORNADO

First off, I purchased the CD couple years ago for only one reason: to complete my collection of Mr Bruford solo efforts not with his Earthwork. Since I was so familiar with the other two studio albums which I considered masterpiece: "Feels Good To Me" and "One of A Kind" plus live album "Bruford Tape". So after I purchased it, I rarely spin the CD because my engagement with the previous albums while this album came later. One thing that put me into surprise was the appearance of The "Unknown" John Clark where I thought that his involvement with The Bruford Tapes was kind like a "virtual" name printed at the sleeve while the real name was actually Allan Holdsworth. Why? Because his guitar-playing style was 99% similar to Holdsworth. But in the CD sleeve of "Gradually Going Tornado" his face is photographed with other three band members: Bruford, Stewart and Berlin.

What's interesting to note here is that Jeff Berlin, the bass guitar master also does the lead vocal role. The album kicks off with "Age of Information" (4:41) which has an excellent rhythmic combining the keyboard, solid bass lines and dynamic drumming, stunning guitar plus a bit of floating vocal style. "Gothic 17" (5:07) starts with a soaring keyboard work combined with beautiful guitar work and cello by Georgie Born. The vocal line enters at quiet passage accompanied with cello. As usual, bass lines appear so obvious in this track. Guitar work appears thinly but very nice, mostly with keyboard sound. "Joe Frazier" (4:41) is basically a Jeff Berlin explorative work as it contains many bass guitar solo - despite the fact that this track was written by him. It's one of my favorite tracks. "Q.E.D" (7:46) is relatively long track with many styles starting from slow / ambient music at the beginning where the drum and keyboard work harmoniously. I personally like the drum sound produced plus the bass guitar solo followed with really stunning Holdsworth-style guitar by John Clark. It's a beautifully composed track!

"The Sliding Floor" (4:58) is another track with vocal in the same vein with first track but different style in moving the music from one segment to another. The combination of piano, drum and guitar give an excellent nuance especially with guitar solo where the bass gives really solid lines. Interesting to notice is "Palewell Park" (3:57) where it's written by Bruford but explores in great depth on piano solo combined with bass guitar in mellow jazzy style. It's a very relaxing music that is suitable as music for hotel lobby. Very nice. "Plans for J.D." (3:50) brings the music back to upbeat tempo with keyboard as rhythm section accentuated by bass and drum accompanying lead vocal. The album concludes with "Land's End (10:20) where additional voices were added with Barbara Gaskin and Amanda parsons. It's a medium tempo music, melodic, and has an excellent composition featuring excellent guitar solo, bass guitar, keyboard and great drumming. There are tempo changes with dynamic transition. It reminds me to the "Feels Good To Me" album. This track itself is really worth to determine the purchase of this CD. I never regret having this CD in my collection.

It's an excellent addition to any prog music collection especially if you enjoy a kind of jazz rock fusion album. The musicianship and the composition are truly excellent. It also suitable for those who like Bill Bruford drumming. Keep on proggin' ..!

Peace on earth and mercy mild - GW