Bruford – One of a Kind (1979) Review | Listening to Music, Time Takes a Beating
Kronomyth 2.0: Allan in wonderland.
Bruford’s second album settled on a working group that centered mostly on Bill Bruford’s instrumental compositions. No vocals (save for some opening dialogue on Fainting in Coils, courtesy of Lewis Carroll), no guests, no outside producer. Where the first album borrowed a bit from Robert Fripp’s post-King Crimson playbook, One of a Kind fits right in line with the best jazz-rock fusion of the day. Ranging from melodic to maddeningly intricate, the operative reference points are Pat Metheny, Brand X, Return to Forever and Frank Zappa. If you enjoy those artists, One of a Kind is one to add to your collection. It’s the only one of Bruford’s early albums not to feature vocals, focusing instead on their core strengths, composition and execution. Jeff Berlin is a beast on the bass. Dave Stewart is a double threat as a player and composer. And I don’t need to sell you on the merits of Bill Bruford or Allan Holdsworth if you’re reading this review. I tend to enjoy my fusion with a healthy infusion of mathematics, so Hell’s Bells, “Fainting in Coils,” Forever Until Sunday, One of a Kind (Part One) and Sahara of Snow (Part One) are my favorite pieces. That said, if your tastes run more toward Metheny, you might find yourself championing Travels with Myself – And Someone Else. I’ve always enjoyed the first three Bruford studio albums, much in the same way I enjoyed the first three Brand X studio albums. The parallels between the two don’t diminsh Bruford’s distinct identity. This is no case of Brand XYZ. Bruford is a unique collective, as different from Brand X as Bill Bruford is from Phil Collins. Unfortunately, Bruford the band only lasted for a few years, but they left behind some excellent albums and this may be the best one.
The Product
A1. Hell’s Bells (Dave Stewart/Gowen) (3:32)
A2. One of a Kind – Part One (Bill Bruford) (2:20)
A3. One of a Kind – Part Two (Bill Bruford/Dave Stewart) (4:00)
A4. Travels with Myself – and Someone Else (Bill Bruford) (6:10)
A5. Fainting in Coils (Bill Bruford) (6:33)
B1. Five G (Jeff Berlin/Dave Stewart/Bill Bruford) (4:41)
B2. The Abingdon Chasp (Allan Holdsworth) (4:50)
B3. Forever Until Sunday (Bill Bruford) (5:46)
B4. The Sahara of Snow – Part One (Bill Bruford) (5:18)
B5. The Sahara of Snow – Part Two (Bill Bruford/Eddie Jobson) (3:23)
The Players
Bill Bruford (drums, the mock turtle on A5), Jeff Berlin (bass), Allan Holdsworth (guitar), Dave Stewart (keyboards) with Sam Alder (narrator on A5), Anthea Norman-Taylor (Alice on A5). Produced by Bill Bruford; engineered and production assistance by Steve W. Tayler.
The Pictures
Sleeve direction and design by Alwyn Clayden. Sleeve photography by John Shaw. Inner sleeve photography by Sheila Rock.
The Plastic
Released on elpee, cassette and 8-track in April 1979 in the UK (Polydor, POLD-5020), Germany and the Netherlands (Polydor, 2302 091) and Japan (Polydor, MPF 1233) and in May 1979 in the US (Polydor, PD/CT/8T-1-6205). (First appeared in 4/28/79 issue of New Musical Express and in 5/28/79 issue of Melody Maker.)
- Re-issued on Collector’s Edition compact disc and cassette in 1992 in the US (EG, EGCD/EGLPC-40).
- Re-issued on compact disc in the US (Caroline, 1525).
