Bill Bruford was a founding member of Yes through the years 1968-1972 and whilst with the band recorded five albums each of which was more successful than its predecessor. When Bill left Yes in 1972 following the release of Close To The Edge, there were those who concluded that he'd taken leave of his senses. But it proved an astute musical move. As King Crimson's enigmatic leader Robert Fripp decided to split the band after three tumultuous albums and move on to other projects, Bill moved to playing countless sessions, and was also briefly a member of the bands National Health, Gong and more famously, Genesis, where he played alongside Phil Collins who had just stepped up to the microphone following the departure of Peter Gabriel. Bill was the drummer in the live Genesis situation and was with the band for the majority of 1976 while the band toured their album A Trick Of The Tail.
Following his tenure with Genesis, Bill recorded his debut album as a leader, Feels Good To Me, released 1978. Bill would subsequently go on to form the band Bruford and record two further studio albums and a live album before returning to King Crimson in the early eighties. Following three studio albums with King Crimson the band decided to take a hiatus and around late 1986 early 1987 Bill decided to form the band Earthworks. The band would be something different in jazz circles, however, as it would feature electronic drums rather than the traditional acoustic set of drums normally found in a jazz band. Earthworks Mark 1 also featured horn players Django Bates and Iain Ballamy alongside upright-bassist Mick Hutton who was subsequently replaced by Tim Harries.
The acoustic front line of Bates, Ballamy and Hutton was a strong and powerful contrast to the electronic percussion supplied by Bill Bruford and the band received many critical plaudits.
The debut Earthworks album features a number of key tracks including My Heart Declares A Holiday and Bridge Of Inhibition.
The Summerfold imprint was launched in October 2003 to provide an outlet for Earthworks recordings both old and new.
This recording of the debut Earthworks album has been re-mastered and includes two bonus tracks: All Heaven Broke Loose and A Stone's Throw.
As with other albums in the Summerfold series of releases, Earthworks comes re-packaged with a bonus disc containing music from the contrasting Winterfold catalogue and an exclusive interview with Bill Bruford.
