Back to the Beginning Again Brufford

3.96 | 241 ratings | 32 reviews | 29% 5 stars

Excellent addition to whatsoever
prog rock music collection

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Studio Album, released in 1978

Songs / Tracks Listing

one. Beelzebub (three:22)
2. Back to the Commencement (7:25)
3. Seems Like a Lifetime Ago (Pt. one) (2:31)
4. Seems Like a Lifetime Ago (Pt. ii) (four:29)
v. Sample and Concord (5:12)
6. Feels Good to Me (3:53)
7. Either End of August (v:24)
eight. If Y'all Can't Stand up the Heat... (3:26)
9. Springtime in Siberia (2:44)
x. Evict a la Pasada (Goodbye to the Past) (8:41)

Total Time 47:07

Bonus runway on Winterfold 2005 remaster:
eleven. Joe Frazier (live) (iv:39)

Line-up / Musicians

- Allan Holdsworth / electrical guitar (1-ten)
- Dave Stewart / keyboards, synths
- Jeff Berlin / bass
- Nib Bruford / drums & percussion (tuned & untuned), co-producer

With:
- Annette Peacock / vocals (2,3,10)
- John Clark / electric guitar (11)
- John Goodsall / rhythm guitar (6)
- Kenny Wheeler / flugelhorn (3,7,ix)
- Neil Murray / addit. bass

Releases information

ArtWork: Foam Group (design) with Gered Mankowitz (photo)

LP Polydor - PD-one-6149 (1977, US)

CD EG - EGCD33 (1982, US)
CD Winterfold - BBWF003CD (2005, Britain) Remastered past John Burns w/ ane bonus track recorded Alive at the Park W, Chicago, USA (27.seven.79)

Thank you to ProgLucky for the addition
and to projeKct for the terminal updates
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Collaborators/Experts Reviews

Review by Dan Bobrowski
SPECIAL COLLABORATOR Honorary Collaborator

This is Bill Brufords offset solo foray. Many prog fans shuddered at Pecker's turn to a jazz format. Information technology's amazing when yous think nigh Bill sitting at the piano and working the music out 1 notation at a time. The only drawback to this disc is the vocals of Annette Peacock. I enjoyed her jazzy, instrumental approach to singing, just most people I know couldn't stand her voice and didn't hear the players. Most of the tunes are instrumentals, though. This should exist included into whatever Fusion fans collection. Holdsworth, Berlin and Stewart help Bill shine. Amazing musicians!!!

Review by Gatot
SPECIAL COLLABORATOR Honorary Collaborator

I knew this anthology later I have listened to the second album "One of a Kind". Equally for debut anthology, this is really great anthology. It has a unique musical limerick. The music is fusion of jazz and rock merely information technology's different with RETURN TO FOREVER or WHEATHER Written report. If y'all happen to know FINNEUS Approximate, yeah it'south the aforementioned. I think FG has been heavily influenced by BRUFORD.

"Beelzebub" is well positioned to open up the album. It's an uplifting jazz-stone fusion instrumental with dynamic drumming and great harmony. Information technology has a very potent limerick. " Back to the Offset" is a track with female vocal of ANNETTE PEACOCK. Her vocal is really pure and fit with the song. ALLAN HOLDSWORTH plays great solo guitar in the interlude part. I accept never heard any music that similar to the kind of music of this song. To me, it'south a unique melody and composition. ANNETTE performs really well hither. Once more .. on "Seems Like a Lifetime Agone (Pt. i) & (Pt. two)" ANNETTE PEACOCK performs his vocal nicely in a very unique way. You may relish these two tracks as they flow nicely with smooth transitions between changing tempo. "Sample and Hold" is another excellent instrumental piece with simple drumming at intro followed past a complicated instrumentation in a staccato style. It's really great intro. The music then flows to keyboard sound and solo with accompanying pb guitar and jazzy trounce drumming. I especially like this song considering of the "vibraphone" (or the like) used in add-on to drumming. Blended nicely with other instruments.

For typical fusion lover, I would recommend to jump to rail 6 directly, i.e. "Feels Practiced to Me". This is the simplest song in entire songs of the anthology. The lead tune with keyboard sound is straightforward, yous can emulate easily. When yous find at the end of the vocal, there is a dainty swift of melody where drum beat changes to higher tempo, accompanied with solo guitar and piano. Wonderful segment!

You will then feel the melancholy role of this anthology nether "Either End of Baronial". Information technology is a slow and heartbreaking song. The flugelhorn is played beautifully followed by solo bass by BERLIN and continued with other instrument. JEFF BERLIN does his piece of work on bass actually well as he plays the bass as melody as well. What a unique song here. Y'all may find that this song is a typical jazz song but if you observe the details, you will find that the composition is different. " If You lot Can't Stand up the Rut..." is another uplifting track with vibraphone-like sound at the intro followed with solo bass as tune and solo guitar. It has a smashing tempo and full of energy.

The album is concluded nicely with a relatively long track "Adios a la Pasada (Goodbye to the Past)" that consumes 8:41 minutes. ANNETTE PEACOCK comes back over again in this song with his unique fashion. The tempo varies widely during the bridge of this rails. And . this rail is well positioned to shut the album.

What it is, is this Is what it is You and I exist Therefore we are condign Here we are in this precisely at present

How astonishing is this life.

Yeah . life is so amazing!! Especially with progressive music similar BRUFORD'due south Feels Good To Me and One of a Kind. The two deserve 5 STAR. Songwriting is nifty. Cute composition, great musicianships, excellent production quality and bully overall performance. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!! - Gatot Widayanto, Indonesia.

Review past Guillermo
PROG REVIEWER

In 1981-82 I was learning how to play the drums, and as I never took formal lessons,my "teachers" were many drummers which I have listened in rock, prog rock and jazz-stone albums, and also seeing drummers playing alive in concerts in videos and in venues in my land. So, with the hope of learning something, I bought this album, and I wasn`t disappointed! Nib Bruford really deserves the place he has in prog rock and jazz stone music. He is also a very good composer, fifty-fifty if he says in the back cover notes for this album that he still had a lot to learn, equally he composes his music mostly using the pianoforte.The musicians who play with him in this anthology are as well very skillful. The best songs in this album are: "Sample and Hold" (with very complicated drums, and I never learned how to play some of the drum parts, which reflect Bruford`s very good technique!), "Feels Good to me", "Either End of August", "If you tin`t stand up the rut" and "Evict a la Pasada (Goodbye to the past"). This anthology has a very good recording, and the mixing is as well very good, with Bruford`s drums and percussion mixed at the "front". If some readers and reviewers are trained or not trained drummers, this is one of those albums with very practiced drums, and a good example of jazz- rock music. 2 or three months ago, Bruford came to my land with his band "Excavation" and played one or 2 concerts which I couldn`t attend. But he was interviewed by one T.5. channel, and even played a musical slice with the jazz band of the programme (I think it is chosen the "Eugenio Toussaint Trio").

Review by Chris S
SPECIAL COLLABORATOR Honorary Collaborator

Reading such excellent reviews prompted me to go out and buy the album a couple of months ago, I savor obscure prog stone similar Gong, Steve Hillage and especially the more mainstream Yes, KC and Genesis both having had BB input at sure times. I also like off the wall, unpredictabel sound. That is certainly where Feels Adept To Me comes in. Information technology does have some excellent songs like the title track, 'Sample and Concur', ' Beezlebub' and ' Either Stop Of August' The musicianship is loftier calibre stuff but I practice feel the album is let down in parts as in ' Back To The Beginning' where Annette Peacock does the song no favours, well personally I think it is poor all round, even as obscure and off the wall as information technology is.There are a few other moments on the anthology where it gets lost which is why information technology warrants a three star rating. If I compare this to the likes of a Chris Squire or Steve Howe debut or cartel I say it another certain drummer, Phil Collin's debut I feel their offerings were stronger than Feels Good To Me. Not excluding the fact what a vivid drummer Nib Bruford most certainly is.

Review by fuxi
PROG REVIEWER

What a marvellous album! I recollect when information technology came out in the late seventies. Most of the members of Yeah had simply released solo-albums that were only so-and so (no-one in their correct mind could call Beginnings, FISH OUT OF WATER, OLIAS OF SUNHILLOW true masterpieces, fifty-fifty though they all have their moments) - only Bill Bruford so astonished the world with an album that was sheer joy from start to finish.

It'due south no use trying to list all of FEELS Good TO ME's qualities, at that place's just likewise many, so hither are just a FEW reasons to exist cheerful: (ane) Alan Holdsworth's extraordinary guitar solos (which would never sound better than here); (2) Dave Stewart'south superb keyboard arrangements; (iii) Kenny Wheeler's fluegelhorn interventions (how many rock drummers would have given one of the world's greatest jazz trumpeters such a tasteful part to play on their commencement solo-album?); (four) Annette Peacock'southward sexy vocals; (v) Jeff Berlin's incredible virtuosity on the electric bass; (vi) and terminal, but certainly not to the lowest degree, Bill'due south own unique way of drumming, which has never failed to astonish me, from THE YES Anthology (1970) to his latest forays with Earthworks...

My merely criticism is that this album sounded great equally an 50.P. but rather tinny in its first reincarnation on C.D. (E.G. records). Much to my relief, the remastered version on Nib'due south own characterization now sounds beautiful and pure.

Review by Cygnus Ten-two
SPECIAL COLLABORATOR Honorary Collaborator

Nib Bruford, the jack of all trades drummer, released his first solo album in 1977. The album featured pinnacle echelon musicians in all their respective fields and the result is an incredible explosion of jazz and rock into a combination never seen before. These core musicians, Allan Holdsworth, Jeff Berlin, and Dave Stewart (and of course Bruford himself along with a few other musicians), created highly technical and complicated rhythmic patterns, and nevertheless they also created fun, experimental, off the wall jazz music that any fan of groups like Brand 10 or Return to Forever will dear. There is one fatal flaw to this album, though, and it really hurts the overall experience, but I shall get to that later.

The anthology opens with a curtailed and summit notch drum vanquish in Beelzebub, some off the wall marimba percussion and some groovy start end bass work from Berlin (as well as some sprawling Holdsworth guitar piece of work). It'due south a short piece, just information technology sets the mood for the unabridged album. Back to the Beginning is where the main flaw of this album is commencement presented, and that is the vocals of Annette Peacock, who really throws the entire mood off and actually is unfitting with her abrasive voice. Musically, the song is perfect, but vocally, it'southward about unbearable to listen to. Fortunately, though, at that place aren't that many vocal tracks on the album. Seems Like a Lifetime Ago is a two function piece that begins with some smooth atmospheres and some more vocals from Peacock, who doesn't really butcher the piece, but I'd nonetheless adopt an instrumental experience. The second part is a more laid back section, with some dynamic keyboards and some dreamy bong percussion. Add some more not bad sprawling and off the wall soloing from Holdsworth towards the end you have yourself an excellent piece. Sample and Hold goes through many different moods, from somber and very melodic, to spacey and very swell, but it holds up very well.

Feels Skilful to Me begins rather simplistically, but soon enough little complexities and intricacies are introduced. Holdsworth is again at the top of his game with excellent and well timed guitar fills, and Dave Stewart has a nice piano performance towards the end. Either Stop of Baronial has a dainty horn organisation and a prissy hooking bass melodies and leads from Berlin every bit well as a floating synthesizer lines from Stewart. If You lot Tin't Stand up the Rut... is one of my favorite pieces on the album. It begins with a manic vibraphone tune that rises and falls at a rapid pace. Jeff Berlin adds his bit to the piece by playing some out of this world fills betwixt Holdsworth swirling leads. Springtime in Siberia is a somber pianoforte rail with some melodic chord sequences from Dave Stewart and a somewhat triumphant horn line, it's not a bad rail, simply cipher I'd call bright. Adios a la Pasada ends the album with more grating vocals from Ann Peacock despite some incredible band performances from Bruford and Berlin, who really are zippo short of an astonishing rhythm unit of measurement. I'd say of all the Peacock songs on the album, this is the best one, mainly because it doesn't feature much vocal and the musicians are able to spread their wings.

In the end, Feels Expert to Me should feel good to most jazz rock enthusiasts and those who are fans of the undeniable drum prowess of Mr. Bruford. If you tin get past the more obnoxious vocals and really pay attending to the music, yous'll notice some of the well-nigh engaging and fun fusion around. Recommended, only for some reason this anthology doesn't actually deserve 4 stars. Sure the music is nix short of breathtaking, simply some of the pieces are a bit samey and (as I've said many times before, only I can't aid information technology) the vocals just ruin some tracks. 3.5/five.

Review by Prog-jester
PROG REVIEWER

"Feels good to me" - Bill says. "Same here" - I say. With prominence of Good (but non- essential).

Actually, 3.5 stars. With talents of Allan Holdsworth, Dave Stewart and Neb Bruford you simply CAN NOT go a bad album. You can even not listen to it - just imagine what Allan would play, then what Dave would play, etc...Seriously, the album seems to be a cantankerous between NATIONAL Health (with whom Bill had a short collaboration) and UK (look a while immature man...it's going to be later!). Wonderful femine vocals shape the form, and Jeff Berlin's talent (whom I didn't know before this anthology at all) is unquestionable 1 likewise.

Highly recommended if you're into Jazz-Rock and Canterbury. Try it even if you're stuck to other genres (like I do ;) ), you won't regret anyway!

Review past b_olariu
PROG REVIEWER

This is Beak Brufords starting time solo album. The only drawback to this disc is the vocals of Annette Peacock. I enjoyed her jazzy, instrumental arroyo to singing, but her voice is to in front end and i quite didn't hear the players. About of the tunes are instrumentals, though. This should be included into any Fusion fans collection. Holdsworth, Berlin and Stewart help Nib shine. Amazing musicians, i will requite four stars, the best Bruford to me remains the next 1 1 of a kind. Some super tracks are the first Beelzebub and Feels proficient to me, the residuum is amazing also.

Review by Sean Trane
SPECIAL COLLABORATOR Prog Folk

Bruford's virtually highly rated solo anthology earlier creating his Earthworks Ring is 1 that I always had bug understanding why it received such highly rated reviews. Non being much a fan of National Health, UK or Earthworks itself, I am also not quite equally keen on later on 70's fusion (as opposed to early 70's jazz Rock ala Bitches Brew or Nucleus), you might just get a glimpse of why I will not be that lenient on this album. While BB's backing band holds some of the best names in the Fusion/Canterbury realm, this album appears to be a little light on the songwriting and a bit heavy on the virtuosic side: indeed Dave Stewart and Allan Holdsworth were the usual friends, merely to my knowledge, this was his showtime encounter with jazz vocalizer Annette Peacock (outside her first album, I am NOT a fan) and with his future regular Jeff Berlin, the whole thing seeming rather common cold and fifty-fifty aristocratic.

The album starts potent plenty with the instrumental Belzeebub and the lengthy Dorsum To The Beginning (marred by Annette'due south way likewise present vocals), merely rapidly boredom settles as the two-part Seems Like A Lifetime Agone (information technology certain does, too! ;-) is breaking all- besides-browbeaten paths similar the highway between the kitchen sink and the dishwasher. If the start function is boring sung trad cool jazz, the 2nd role is definitely fusional (and probably the rockier rails on the anthology), arousing your attention to drop information technology every bit soon as information technology caught it. Nosotros are very close to Brand X's early fusion music, merely not having Moroccan Roll's enthusiasm, fifty-fifty if Sample And Hold and the title track try hard to maintain the level. Nosotros soon enter a earth of well-heard-earlier fusion somewhere betwixt National Wellness, Atmospheric condition Report, Ponty, Make X Doldinger's Passport (before they went "world") or Spirogyra. Null to become too excited virtually, unless your sweet spot is there.

Don't get me wrong, the record is monstrously well played, impressive of mastery, flawless in execution, perfect in the production dept, but something is missing here (or it in that location something too much?), but it is best expressed by If Yous Can't Stand up The Heat and its cold-hearted bravado showpiece. The album is closing (unfortunately) on Adios A La Pasada, where Peacock (who had graced u.s. by her absence for much of the anthology'southward centre) comes back under a Hackettian guitar to bore united states of america past expiry just after the mega-boringly slow Springtime In Siberia.

Oasis't heard the bonus rail of the latest reissue of this album. Hard to give such an album any less than 4 stars, but in all honesty I can only requite it a non essential rating.

Review past Tarcisio Moura
PROG REVIEWER

Althoug I tin not consider miyself a big Jazz rock/fusion specialist or even neat fan I could not help simply to write an on line review about my fav drummer in the earth, specially his solo debut. To me no one has ever came close to Bruford�southward creativeness and technique. The man is absolutely awsome! And for the tape itself, with sideman with the caliber of an Allan Holdsworth and Dave Stewart, amog others, how he could do wrong? His use of tuned percussion like the sylophone and the marimba is amazing!

Feels Adept To Me will please less damanding progheads. Non actually symphonic but this is prog music indeed. Annete Peacock�s vocals get some used to earlier you bask information technology (it seesm information technology was recorded also much upward front). She sounds a lot similar Curved Air�due south Sonja Kristina, making thsi album even more attactive to me and other fans of that band.

Different many jazz stone bands Feels Practiced To Me never goes besides far out in dissonance or pointless jams, solos and themes. I establish it very interesting and a nice surprise. Lots of tasteful jazzy, but melodic, stuff. Varied and swish. Feels adept to me also. Recommended! Solid 4 stars.

Review by UMUR
SPECIAL COLLABORATOR Honorary Collaborator

The debut solo album from drummer Bill Bruford ( Yes, Male monarch Crimson, UK and more) is actually a pretty proficient fusion album. I was a bit surprised that I liked it and so much just a bit reluctantly I found myself enjoying Feels Good to Me very much.

The variety was the first thing that struck me after listening to Feels Good to Me a couple of times. It�due south not a very jazzy album and parallels can be drawn especially to U.k. which Bill Bruford would play with the year subsequently the release of this album. Information technology�south simply hints though because this album is not symphonic. Most of the songs are prog/ fusion instrumentals with good performances from the various musicians involved.

You can�t really hear that this is a solo album from a drummer as the drums are not especially dominant. Neb Bruford plays wonderfully of grade just he is not very dominant. Personally I like the songs where Annette Peacock sings her beautiful jazzy lines. Back to the kickoff and Seems Similar a Lifetime Ago are really special in my ears. I�1000 glad the whole anthology doesn�t sound similar this though, but it actually helps the albums diversity that there are songs like that on here.

The musicians Bill Bruford has called are all outstanding and information technology shows in the tight interplay betwixt the musicians. As a Holdsworth fan I�m happy that he plays a couple of solos here because it actually hightens my enjoyment.

The audio quality is outstanding. This has got to be one of the best productions from that time. Really bully.

Feels Adept to Me is an first-class album and I wouldn�t be without it in my collection. If you�re like me and don�t fancy jazz too much don�t worry this i�south not that jazzy and if you lot like other projects Bill Bruford has been involved in you should really give this album a chance as you might be surprised well-nigh the mans diversity and talent. I�ll rate the album iv stars. This is non quite a masterpiece in my ears as some of the themes tend to be a fleck as well like shooting fish in a barrel listening for me only it is still and excellent anthology and highly recommendable.

Review by Evolver
SPECIAL COLLABORATOR Crossover & JR/F/Canterbury Teams

This, Bill Bruford's first solo anthology, is nevertheless my favorite of all of his. The playing past all of the musicians is spectacular. And I know many of you don't like Annette Peacock's vocals on this recording, but I discover her phrasing quite compelling, and her breathy tone very sexy. The style of the recordings bring to mind Brand X, and it should, as the album was co-produced by Robin Lumley, Brand Ten'southward keyboard actor, and has a guest advent by John Goodsall, Brand X's guitarist.

A highlight on this record are the opening track, "Beelzebub" with a percussive feel that makes it seem like it was written in the same manner every bit "Five Percent For Nothing" from Yes' Fragile anthology. But here, the song is played out with a much improve idea of how to make it a full vocal.

Some other standout rails is "Back To The Commencement", with a heavy intro, that leads into Peacock'southward hot vocals, and an odd, electronic filled break.

This is the Bruford album I still listen to the most, even after more than 30 years.

Review by Kazuhiro
PROG REVIEWER

The fact that Beak deeply contributed to the world of Prog stone/Art Stone and Jazz/Fusion has infiltrated Fan and the listener. The fact that always took an active part Nib in the front, maintained the career for xl years, and had reformed it was surprising yet event. The concept of his music had already had another directionality at fourth dimension when Yes announced "Fragile" and "Close To The Edge" though Bill always tried reforming afterwards it was on the annals in "Aye".

Beak that felt the dubiousness in the music of "Yes" that pursued a perfect music character moved the identify of the reformation to King Crimson. And, it is true that he defenseless the age with the plummet of Cerise in the centre of the 70's. And, the fact that he requested perfection from the music character again in no small mode tin can be discovered in his of this band. I always feel the fact that he pursued for perfection too Yes appearance of the expression to his music. He is not a translation in this band at all from which the aforementioned perfection equally Yeah is requested. It is guessed that his pursuit was sent from another bending. Information technology is guessed that it had the sensibility since fourth dimension when the story of the formation of "Wakeman,Wetton&Bruford" has already lifted. Information technology became ane answer by ..menstruum.. "U.K." after all.

And, to pursue my music character further, Bill that had expanded networks since Crimson formed my of this band. His sensibility has been installed on a natural phenomenon with the member of the band. It is helped by the musician who trusts by him and respects information technology and Neb also answers the zeal. Information technology is music with high quality from which information technology is unfolded here. I memorize proverb Bill that it was not confident of the ability of the composition till and so. Still, the support of Dave and Allan is guessed that the width of the music of Bill is surely expanded and Beak was influenced from it, as well.

"Dorsum To The Beginning" where "Beelzebub" where it begins to spin a complex rhythm by a perfect arrangement and the rhythm and the extent tension that has succeeded it exist Bass of melody "If Yous Tin can't Stand up The Heat..." Jeff where each individuality shines by the tune that cannot be likely to be done except this member shines really.

Subsequently a temporary plummet of Crimson, nosotros were able to see the music at this time according to some other angle. It accompanied the unpredictable quality and the necessity. And, it is possible to listen to a high functioning of the quality past a special musician who derives from Prog Rock in this anthology. This level whose fact that appoints the song of the trumpet and Annette Peacock of famous Kenny Wheeler is an anthology in the world of Jazz, also might succeeded. Anyway, Beak believed my sensibility at this fourth dimension and worked on music obediently.

Review by snobb
SPECIAL COLLABORATOR Honorary Collaborator

Offset Bruford solo album consists of traditional fusion,kind of RTF style. Very professional, melodic, with horn section and some song.

This music is actually far away from his work in Yep or KC. Merely for fusion lovers information technology is nice album, even if some of them wouldn't exist very happy with Peacock voice. For me she sounds sometimes as early on Gong singing, merely information technology is a question of taste.

Most impressive affair on this CD for me is perfect Holdsworth guitar piece of work. It realy makes the music much more than different and attractive. Bruford'south drumming is very competent, but as for me isn't private or attractive plenty just to catch your ears.

All in all, very competent fusion CD of it'southward time. Even it's a petty fleck too low-cal and sounds a flake polished for me, I think bigger role of fusion fans will like it.

Review past Rune2000
SPECIAL COLLABORATOR Prog Metal Squad

Nib Bruford must be the luckiest person in the history of progressive rock! I simply don't believe that skill and talent can account for all the collaborations that he had the opportunity to participate in over the years. Start it was Yes, then King Crimson, followed by a tour with Genesis in 1976. Later on working with three of the progressive rock giants one might consider oneself worthy of a retirement. Just not Pecker Bruford, instead he pushed on making history as nosotros all know it!

One would presume that the sound of a Pecker Bruford solo album would settle somewhere within the familiar realm of prog, but Bruford had nonetheless some other ace up his sleeve. He began by recruiting some of the finest talent of the Canterbury Scene. Having both Dave Stewart (Egg, Hatfield and the North, National Wellness) and Allan Holdsworth (Soft Machine, Gong) in the ring did higher the ante on the final result. And then did Feels Good To Me match upwardly to the individual talents of the members involved? A direct respond would be both yes and no. Sorry, but I assure yous that this is the shortest version of the answers that I tin offering.

First of all it's important to annotation that the music hither is pure Jazz Stone/Fusion which I've personally never been a huge fan of. Although the private performances are peak notch I never could put them all together into a team effort. Bruford and Stewart put a solid foundation for each of these performances only everything else that is added doesn't always striking a home run with me. The nearly prominent example of this is Annette Peacock and her very eccentric vocal style. Her performance should definitely be labeled as acquired taste since I personally don't fancy information technology. I'm also non a fan of Allan Holdsworth's work which is quite weird since I do savor most of the people whom he had inspired over the years.

With all the criticism in mind Feels Good To Me still somehow managed to withstand the examination of time in my collection. The album gets a revisit from time to time which implies that this release is after all an important addition to prog stone music collection. Or every bit I normally say:

"Dude, it has Beelzebub on it!"

***** star songs: Beelzebub (iii:22) Either End Of Baronial (5:24)

**** star songs: Dorsum To The Commencement (7:25) Seems Like A Lifetime Ago (Pt. 2) (4:29) Sample And Hold (5:12) Feels Good To Me (3:53) If Y'all Can't Stand The Oestrus... (3:26) Springtine In Siberia (2:44) Adios A La Pasada (Goodbye To The Past) (8:41)

*** star songs: Seems Like A Lifetime Ago (Pt. 1) (2:31)

Review by BrufordFreak
COLLABORATOR Honorary Collaborator

The outset of the three Bruford albums from the late 1970s, Feels Good to Me is so tightly wound, so concisely constructed and precisely performed, that it about scared me off upon beginning listen. (I bought it when it came out). The angular and often anomalous lead guitar piece of work of Allan Holdsworth took me some getting used to--as did the vocal stylings of Annette Peacock (though I was much more apace won over past her than I was by Holdsworth). The funky "non-keyboard" keyboard work of Dave Stewart--especially on that (in retrospect, astonishing) opening song took me by surprise (I had not at this point been exposed to any Canterbury-manner jazz fusion). I knew BRAND X and, of course, drummer extraordinaire Bill Bruford. I also had quite a challenge in having to process and accommodate bass player Jeff Berlin's amazing speed, dexterity, and melodic choice-making. All in all, this was a course and fashion of music that pushed all of my musical buttons; I was just not ready for it! And yet I persisted and continued to play and accumulate Bruford albums and anything and everything he touched over the next three decades. Every song here is jaw-dropping for the virtuosity of its musicians likewise every bit for the innovation of its compositional twists and turns. Nifty piece of work from a collective of very strong-willed virtuosi. No wonder it only lasted a couple of years. Equally for the album's Canterbury-ness, it'south a bit of a stretch when compared to the music of Caravan and Khan, but it is quite comparable, in my opinion, to that of the more than "serious," jazz-oriented Canterbury artists such equally Gilgamesh, National Wellness and later Soft Auto.

Four stars; an excellent instance of the jazz fusion side of progressive stone music.

Review by Isa
PROG REVIEWER

|C+| Feels pretty good to me too, Mr. Bruford.

What can be found in his debut is a pretty experimental have on the late 70s fusion style (hard stone guitar, heavy utilise of keyboard technology that would typify the 80s sound, and what sounds like a lot of Return to Forever influence). This album is by no means a landmark or essential, just is very interesting in its (for the time) pretty cutting edge qualities and sounds, and for the creativity Bruford had in the layering of parts.

Back to the Beginning starts off the album with a soft mock-clarinet keyboard solo, and then becomes heavy and features a female song jazz singer singing quite chromatic melody (!?). She'south pretty good, but can exist a fleck pitchy at times, typical for jazz vocalists really. This is layered with difficult rock guitar and rhythmic fusiony keyboard sounds. Quite an interesting piece.

Beezlebub is your typically fun late seventies jazz-fusion fast-jam, sounding a lot like Render to Forever and Santana, peculiarly with the organ and style of the guitar soloist. Pecker Bruford has actually fast and clean work with the cymbals, which reoccurs throughout the album... I wouldn't be surprised with Neal Peart'south piece of work in La Villa Strangiato was influenced in part by this album (Blitz was in fact very in tune with Bill Bruford'due south solo work in the late seventies, no dubiousness including his debut). Some pretty fun, admitting jagged noodling on instruments... a bit "noodly" and not-expressive for my taste. Fun though.

Seems Similar a Lifetime sounds a lot like a belatedly sixties jazz carol made with belatedly seventies jazz fusion. Very nice, nothing more romantic than a jazz ballad. This romantic mood is instantly shifted in the song's Function 2 into heavy guitar kind of latin-jazz fusion, kind of pulling the rug out from under the listener, really absurd. Very prog-stone sounding time-signature changes, heavy guitar riffing, with contumely horn settings adding to the "umph" of the song, sort of like Chicago. The track gradually shifts into very cerebral fusiony apply of bells, keyboard pads and moves into some very cocky-indulgent (in a good way) fusion jamming. Reminds me a lot of Hymn to the Seventh Galaxy... I think that album probably had much influence on his piece of work here.

Sample and Hold is yet another creative heavy-guitar fusion piece. Really bully and creative, a lot of variation in the mode the instruments are layered. All of the instruments are used to their full potential. Later in the track information technology gets quite far into the land of "noodling and self- indulgent playing," as well far for my tastes, especially when the fury of notes in the bass and guitar come in.

Feels Good to Me really caught me off-guard: I swear it sounds just like a 90s video game song from Sonic the Hedgehog, though with less repetition plainly. I really wouldn't be surprised if this influenced the video game composers after on, it'south seriously that like in sound. I love the honky-tonk chorused pianoforte section with the fiery guitar solo!

Either Finish of August is a prissy runway, practiced moving bass lines and trumpet solo... the general limerick seems a little lack-luster and half-hearted though, even with the nice 5/8 and 6/8 time signature alterations. Human being I love that guitar-trumpet unison line though, those timbres are so beautiful together. This rail has a really skilful build.

If You Tin can't Stand up the Heat... is pretty much returns the album to your typical seventies overly-self-indulgent-noodling-around-on-you-instrument-for-fun runway, which is fun at first and quickly gives me turgid and pretentious vibe, though it's nice to hear a good solo on bells for one time in a rock song.

And then there's the contrary: the lush and expressive Springtime in Siberia, every bit beautiful as any jazz ballad out there, such a warm and inviting trumpet solo, such cute piece of work on the piano. I love this piece. It isn't prog rock, but it'south worth ownership this album if just for this slice. I wonder if information technology's a reiteration of a previously made jazz ballad... its nice regardless.

The album gradually transitions to a pretty deep and cognitive keyboard and bells, the starting time of the last track Adios A La Pasada. This section moves into a really fun and great Render to Forever sounding section, with some interludes of dialogue about "forgiving yourself" by our breathy but dainty female jazz singer, who comes in once more for the finale of the album, with a bully melodic guitar solo.

In full general I really like this album, as I similar a lot of belatedly-seventies prog (especially fusion styled work), though there are as well often long-winded jam sections of turgid and technical soloing, and even a lot of the proficient tracks are pretty jagged in their organization. Overall I like what I hear, but the work has besides little cohesiveness for me to consider it a major work of art. Worth buying though; bravo to a pleasant debut, Mr. Bruford.

Review by Warthur
PROG REVIEWER

Bill Bruford'south offset solo anthology - which inadvertently became the kickoff album by the "Bruford" ring - exists correct at the borderline betwixt the jazzier stop of the Canterbury scene (as represented past National Health and Hatfield and the Due north) and the percussion-heavy side of fusion, equally represented by Billy Cobham'southward beginning album and by the Mothers of Inventions' various percussionists over the years.

Canterbury fans volition, of course, call back that Neb himself was a fellow member of National Health for a fourth dimension, and past way of returning the favour Dave Stewart sits in on keyboard (and Neil Murray pops in from time to fourth dimension to bring some redundancy bass). Allan Holdsworth, of course, has a runway record of playing in Canterbury bands that have crossed the line into full-on fusion (Soft Machine and Gong), whilst the unusual vocals of Annette Peacock adds a mildly avant-garde twist to proceedings.

On residual, the anthology represents an intriguing new musical direction, combining the jazziest parts of the Canterbury scene with the best of other traditions of jazz fusion. Forth with National Health's debut, it's probably the most important Canterbury recording of 1977, but it'south besides got a lot to offering fans of other jazz fusion traditions.

Review past Mellotron Storm
PROG REVIEWER

This was Bill Bruford'due south get-go solo album released in 1977. The core of the band features Jeff Berlin on bass, Allan Holdsworth on guitar, Dave Stewart on keyboards, Annette Peacock on vocals and Kenny Wheeler on flugelhorn. Neil Murray adds some extra bass and John Goodsall adds guitar to one track. I like the liner notes which were written in 1977. Hither's a sample. ""Someone suggested I should become Dave The netherlands to play on the record", said Pecker Bruford referring to the departer British bassist who, plucked from obscurity past Miles Davis a decade ago, is now one of the nearly respected forces in contemporary improvised music.The look on Bruford'due south face bespoke the very natural awe in which he holds The netherlands's musicianship and creativity". Well as near will know, Jeff Berlin ain't bad either (haha). In fact this is but a killer lineup. Afterward KING Ruby broke up Bruford played in many bands, by and large live appearances including GONG, Roy Harper, NATIONAL HEALTH and GENESIS. It's interesting that tardily in 1976 he got together with Rick Wakeman and John Wetton to tape an anthology but it was canned due to the politics of the music business organisation. In rehearsal though this trio came up with two of the songs that are featured on this debut in "Beelzebub" and "Back To The Beginning". I accept to mention Annette Peacock. The lady can sing and I like the clarification of her voice in the liner notes. "Her voice is unsettling : it whispers, croons, cajoles, and threatens...".

"Beelzebub" is a meridian three for me. The drums are intricate equally the audio builds just before a infinitesimal. The guitar comes in a minute later on as it settles some.Splendid track. "Back To The Offset" is another top 3 and it makes me wonder how expert that Bruford / Wakeman / Wetton band would have been. It'south mellow with flugelhorn to open and then it kicks in hard before a infinitesimal with guitar. Female vocals bring together in.This is dandy ! It settles with male person spoken words and then the guitar solos as the bass and drums proceed. Information technology'southward edifice before 5 minutes. Overnice. She'due south back singing a infinitesimal later on. "Seems Like A Lifetime Agone (Pt. ane)" is a relaxed tune with vocals and flugelhorn.

"Seems Like A Lifetime Ago (Pt.2)" has more than bite to it than part one and some good guitar too. Keen sound earlier 3 minutes and then it settles late. "Sample And Hold" is my other top three. A practiced trounce to start as other sounds join in. An amazing instrumental. "Feels Practiced To Be Me" is a vivid uptempo instrumental. Information technology'due south more intense after 2 minutes with the guitar standing but information technology'due south also brief. "Either End Of August" is fairly laid back with flugelhorn arriving around i one/2 minutes. "If You Can't Stand up The Heat..." is an intricate instrumental with the guitar coming in just before a minute. "Springtime In Siberia" is mellow with flugelhorn and piano. "Evict A La Pasada (Goodbye To The Past)" is a good closing number. It gets ameliorate as it plays out likewise. Female vocals in this 1 too.

Feels like 4 stars to me.

Review by apps79
SPECIAL COLLABORATOR Honorary Collaborator

One of the most talented and technically skilled drummers in the world of prog, 1949-born English drummer Beak Bruford had a long and prolific career during the 70's with Yes and King Red, earlier joining Genesis to replace Phil Collins behind the drum kit, when he was the pb vocalist of the ring in the 76' tour.In 1977 he plant his own project Bruford, when he joined forces with famous keyboardist Dave Stewart, guitar virtuoso Alan Holdsworth and jazz bassist Jeff Berlin.The first Bruford anthology ''Feels Good to Me'', originally released in 1977 on EG Records, featured also Annette Peacock on vocals, Kenny Wheeler on flugelhorn and John Goodsall on rhythm guitar.

With ''Feels Good to Me'' Bruford prooved to be not only a great drummer but an excellent composer as well, as he wrote or co-wrote all of the anthology's tracks.The style is a mix of peppery NATIONAL Wellness-like Canterbury Prog and complex Jazz/Fusion with Holdsworth shining on the guitars and Stewart performing another excellent show with his piece of work Minimoog and Polymoog synths.There is a sure charm hidden in the compositions, which turn from rhythmic Fusion to complicated Progressive Rock in a glimmer of an center, highlighted by the incredible solos of Holdsworth, a man who gear up up an unabridged guitar schoolhouse around his style.Stewart's keyboards are fantastic, often having this NATIONAL HEALTH lovely and andventurous vibes or but bursting a breezy jazzy atmosphere.Little to exist said about Bruford'due south playing, his performance is just so confident and infallible.All tracks contain well- measured material of more atmospheric moments blended with powerful interplays and solos, while Peacock's ethereal female vocals are another reason why the album is so nicely balanced.

Fantastic offset release by Bruford and co., this is a great case of complex still fairly enjoyable jazzy Progressive Stone with strong Canterbury leanings.Not to be missed by all fans of trully well-crafted proggy adventures.

Review by VianaProghead
PROG REVIEWER

Review N� 385

Every bit all we know, Bill Bruford is one of the all-time and most recognizable drummers always, with his drumming sound inimitable, known for his ringing metallic snare drum, crisp cymbal work, and knack for circuitous fourth dimension signatures. He actually had truly an amazing and brilliant career. He first gained prominence as the original drummer of prog rock band Yes, from 1968 to 1972. Afterwards his departure from Yes, Bruford spent the rest of the lxx's playing in King Crimson. He was the touring drummer for Genesis during their 1976 "Fob of The Tail" tour. He was one of the founder members of Britain. In 1981 he was function of a newly formed King Crimson. In 1989, with some of his ex-ring mates of Yep, he formed Anderson Bruford Wakeman Howe. From 1991 to 1992 he returned to Yes. In 1994 Rex Ruby re-emerged and he was nowadays.

But, too all of that, later he left United kingdom due to some overall musical divergences, Bruford formed his ain band named, Bruford. So, with his ex-collegue of Great britain, the guitarist Allan Holdsworth that had been fired from UK by John Wetton and Eddie Jobson, and with two other musicians, Dave Stewart a very well known keyboardist that had played with several bands of the Canterbury scene and Jeff Berlin an American jazz fusion bassist, he released "Feels Skilful To Me".

"Feels Good To Me" is the debut solo studio anthology of Bill Bruford and was released in 1978. The line upwards on the album is Allan Holdsworth (electric guitar), Dave Stewart (keyboards and synthesizers), Jeff Berlin (bass) and Bill Bruford (drums and percussion). The album had likewise the participation of Annette Peacock (vocals), John Clark (electric guitar), John Goodsall (rhythm guitar), Kenny Wheeler (flugelhorn) and Neil Murray (bass).

"Feels Good To Me" goes far across the usual prog rock conceits of its time, and enters fully into the compositional structures and improvisational dynamics of jazz. With "Feels Expert To Me" Bruford proved to be non only a great drummer simply an splendid composer every bit well, as he wrote or co-wrote all of the anthology's tracks. While Bruford's signature style, a mathematically precise arroyo that never failed to observe the innate groove in even the almost complex of time signatures, it was in clear show that the album didn't sound similar a drummer's solo album. The emphasis was put mostly on composition. It'south likewise conspicuously evident that the other members of the band had aplenty room to demonstrate their formidable talents, and higher up all, at that place wasn't any drum solo that can be found on this album. Bruford made it clear from the kickoff that his function as bandleader was to exist that of an equal contributor rather than a dominant voice.

And so, "Feels Good To Me" consists of compositions of Bruford, with some support from Stewart. This is quite surprising, as Bruford has not been noticed in any of his previous bands as a composer. The ten songs oscillate betwixt slender jazz stone with intricate lines and a prog with a very bright basic audio. There's no especially rocking here. This is due to the fact that the guitar is virtually only used as a melodic instrument, nor outstandingly bombastic, neither very weird passages. Still, one or other melody line tin can't necessarily exist described as especially catchy and some heady chord progressions are built, which usually lead to a guitar solo. Of course, there are many kleptomaniacal and intricate rhythms, simply as well straighter spots, and usually more vigorous songs are assorted with subsequent calmer, more than ballade pieces.

Bruford'south play is e'er lean and compositional and lives above all on the differentiated cymbal work and its already legendary bright snare sound. Above all, the moving pieces with often hectic, tattered melody lines of Bruford's work on vibraphone and xylophone, which doubles the lines together with keyboards or guitar, as well live here. Stewart mainly uses electrical piano and polymoog synths, plus a fiddling piano and organ, but not most as much as in his earlier projects. Holdsworth is practically responsible only for melody lines and fast paced, tricky jazzy solos. In the long run they sound a bit alike, but it'due south bully how fluent and clean his sound is. The chord work is essentially in Stewart's hands. In the few places where a scrap of rhythm guitar occurs, this takes over John Goodsall, known from Phil Collins' jazz rock project, Make X. Jeff Berlin's bass work is consistently outstanding and a source of joy. Somehow, the elastic sound, quick fingers, but nevertheless enough foundation memories of Jaco Pastorius are awake, and that is saying something, isn't it?

Conclusion: Overall, "Feels Good To Me" is a thoroughly enjoyable, unexpectedly jazzy debut album that is highly recommended to whatever friend of fluent, prog jazz rock/fusion. The musicianship along with the production is superb. Bruford's cymbal activeness is quite nice and the excellence of Dave Stewart'southward keyboards is always a skillful thing. Nearly the arrangements on this anthology, we have the predictable belatedly 70's fusion. Annette Peacock'south atmospheric vocals make the album peculiarly pleasing. On balance, the album represents an intriguing new musical management, combining the jazziest parts of the Canterbury scene with the best of other traditions of jazz fusion. If you lot are in prog rock jazz/fusion, this is certainly an album you should look into. Catch a buzz, sit down back, chill out and savour some very real cool music.

Prog is my Ferrari. Jem Godfrey (Frost*)

Latest members reviews

This recording was released 40 years agone! Information technology will soon have a new remastered release later this year as a 6CD, 2DVD box gear up. So, it seems only fitting that another review be added to honor this rather phenomenal piece of jazz-stone art. If anything, to warning other Bruford fans that new mixes and r ... (read more)

Report this review (#1772207) | Posted by macpurity | Thursday, August 17, 2017 | Review Permanlink

The 'trouble' with Bill Bruford is that his playing is too rock for jazz purists, whilst at the same time too jazzy for (progressive) rock fans. This dichotomy is very apparent on Feels Good to Me. Whilst some tracks are very much in the jazz rock/fusion vein, similar to the later Soft Auto ... (read more)

Study this review (#801726) | Posted by Exposure | Wed, August 8, 2012 | Review Permanlink

When I heard about Bruford via a few video's on Youtube I was very excited to check out a groovy Jazz Fusion supergroup with 3 of my favourite stars of Prog and Jazz Rock, Goodsall, Stewart and Bruford. With the anthology opener 'Beelzebub' I was immediately hooked. Information technology'southward energetic Jazz Fusion with f ... (read more)

Report this review (#434384) | Posted past topographicbroadways | Saturday, April sixteen, 2011 | Review Permanlink

My favorite Beak Bruford Solo release, and one of my favorite Jazz/Rock recordings at all. Not to mention def. my favorite Jazz/Stone records with a female vocal. This Bruford first solo, shows a compleete change in style, compared to the work he had done with Male monarch Crimson & Yes. He has now mov ... (read more)

Report this review (#241541) | Posted by tamijo | Saturday, September 26, 2009 | Review Permanlink

this is good stuff. i love how bruford is not dominant, information technology shows that his ego is not overbearing like alot of drummers. the music is extremely interesting. One matter I volition say though, for those reading this and like this music, try to get a copy of rock goes to college....featuring jeff b ... (read more than)

Report this review (#209305) | Posted past smuggledmutation | Monday, March 30, 2009 | Review Permanlink

Information technology's difficult to make a bad anthology if you have Allan Holdsworth playing on it. Bill Bruford's compositions here are quite skillful from the technical bespeak of view, just they are slightly young, sometimes naively uncomplicated ("Seems Like a Lifetime Ago Part ane") other times extremely complicated ("Beelzebub"). ... (read more)

Report this review (#128173) | Posted by Salviaal | Thursday, July 12, 2007 | Review Permanlink

Firstly can I say I don't really consider this a "prog" album; information technology's substantially Bill Bruford trying to exercise jazz - his first love, I call back - his subsequent albums are more "prog". However I do retrieve this is a genuine 5-star album. Whereas so many other musicians from major bands have, when left ... (read more)

Report this review (#41991) | Posted by Phil | Monday, August 8, 2005 | Review Permanlink

I endemic this album when it outset came out, and looking back now nearly 30 years, it stands in the summit ten best albums for me. Plus the Annette Peacock song at the cease is just the greatest most magnificent performances on album I e'er heard. I still tin can't believe Ms Peacock didn't became a ... (read more)

Report this review (#27891) | Posted past | Saturday, Feb 19, 2005 | Review Permanlink

I heard this when it get-go came out. This album is one of the all around very best progressive fusion recordings ever!!! Simply put, Bruford assembled one of the greatest cast of all-star, peak-knotch players in the globe, eg, Allan Holdsworth, Dale Stewart, and Jeff Berlin. He let them SHIN ... (read more than)

Report this review (#27888) | Posted by | Tuesday, August 31, 2004 | Review Permanlink

I'm no expert on either prog stone or fusion, merely I've heard quite a scrap and there aren't many albums in the genre(south) which I can honestly say pains me that most people will never hear and be able to appreciate the beauty of. Feels Skilful To Me is one of those albums. I admit it's actually not t ... (read more)

Report this review (#27887) | Posted by | Friday, August 6, 2004 | Review Permanlink

Very good musicians, very cute, stay-with-yous-a-lifetime melodies. Melodies, did I say melodies. Mere melodies? Forgive me Sir William. I am, more than 20years later on first hearing those "melodies", nevertheless enthralled, bugged past this wonderful album. Either cease of August, Springtime in Siberia, ... (read more than)

Report this review (#27885) | Posted past | Friday, Apr 23, 2004 | Review Permanlink

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