The music of
Bill Bruford's Earthworks on this CD is quite unusual. The multi-themed originals feature top-notch playing by the quartet (
Bruford on drums and electronic percussion,
Django Bates on keyboards, peck horn and trumpet, Iain Ballamy on reeds and bassist
Tim Harries) that looks toward
Ornette Coleman; at times (Ballamy's tenor sometimes recalls
Dewey Redman) while traveling its own singular path. Full of unpredictability, subtle mood changes, touches of eccentric funk and a surprisingly creative use of electronic rhythms here and there,
Bruford's band plays intense but sometimes melancholy and introspective music. Recommended.