Bill Bruford's career is like his drumming sound -inimitable. Known for his ringing metal snare drum, crisp cymbal work, and knack for complex time signatures, a young Bruford came to prominence in the late '60s with Yes. The drummer completed his British art rock trilogy by briefly joining Genesis in the 1970s and spending a quarter-century with King Crimson through the late '90s. In between King Crimson dates, Bruford led a dazzling self-titled jazz fusion solo band from 1978 to 1980.
This 6CD box set covers Bill’s musical journey throughout the years; CD1&2, titled ‘The Collaborator’ – is a collection of songs from Yes, King Crimson, UK & National Health displaying Bill’s formidable talent. CD3&4 titled ‘The Composing Leader’ is where Bill demonstrates his composing ability from his solo career and musical project ‘Earthworks’. The last two CDs titled, ‘Special Guest & Improvisor’ showcase Bill’s natural talent for writing and improvising with a plethora of musicians. Including, Roy Harper, Akira Inoue, Kazumi Watanabe, Steve Howe & many more. There is a detailed biography written by Bill included within the box that features rare and unseen photos. The outer box artwork, gatefold CDs and booklet have been designed by the incredible artist and graphic designer Dave McKean.
THE COLLABORATOR (2CD)
CD1
Yes - I’ve Seen All Good People
Yes - Heart of the Sunrise
Yes - And You & I
King Crimson - Great Deceiver
King Crimson - Fracture
King Crimson - One More Red Nightmare
King Crimson - Starless
UK - Nevermore
CD2
King Crimson - Frame by Frame
King Crimson - Neal And Jack And Me
King Crimson - Heartbeat
King Crimson - Waiting Man
Anderson, Bruford, Wakeman, Howe - Brother of Mine
King Crimson - Sex Eat Sleep Drink Dream
King Crimson - Larks Tongues in Aspick: Pt 2
King Crimson - Three of a Perfect Pair
King Crimson - Man With An Open Heart
King Crimson - Elephant Talk
King Crimson - Indiscipline
King Crimson - Big Funk
PianoCircus feat. Bill Bruford – The Still Small Voice
The Composing Leader (2CD)
CD3
Bruford - Seems Like a Lifetime Ago: Pt 1
Bruford - Seems Like a Lifetime Ago: Pt 2
Bruford - One of a Kind: Pt 1
Bruford - One of a Kind: Pt 2
Bruford - Palewell Park
Bruford - Joe Frazier
Bill Bruford’s Earthworks - It Needn’t End in Tears
Bill Bruford’s Earthworks - My Heart Declares a Holiday
Bill Bruford’s Earthworks - Downtown
Bill Bruford’s Earthworks - Pilgrims’ Way
Bill Bruford’s Earthworks - Temple of the Winds
Bill Bruford’s Earthworks - Candles Still Flicker in Romania’s Dark
Bill Bruford’s Earthworks - Nerve
Bruford, Towner, Gomez - Thistledown
CD4
Bill Bruford’s Earthworks - Beelzebub
Bruford-Levin - Original Sin
Bill Bruford’s Earthworks - Revel Without a Pause
Bill Bruford’s Earthworks - Triplicity
Bill Bruford’s Earthworks - The Sound of Surprise
Earthworks Underground Orchestra - Speaking in Wooden Tongues
Bill Bruford’s Earthworks - Modern Folk
Bill Bruford’s Earthworks - White Knuckle Wedding
Earthworks Underground Orchestra - Footloose and Fancy Free
Heavenly Bodies - Thud!
Special Guest & Improviser (2CD)
CD5
Roy Harper - Grown Ups Are Just Silly Children
Roy Harper - Hallucinating Light
Chris Squire - Lucky Seven (single edit)
Chris Squire – Silently Falling
Al Di Meola – Calliope
David Torn – Voodoo Chile
Kazumi Watanabe - Andre
Kazumi Watanabe - Small Wonder
Steve Howe - The Inner Battle
Buddy Rich Big Band - Lingo
Pete Lockett’s Network of Sparks feat Bill Bruford - Prism
PianoCircus feat. Bill Bruford & Colin Riley - Achilles Feel
CD6
Moraz-Bruford - Galatea
Moraz-Bruford - Symmetry
PianoCircus feat. Bill Bruford & Colin Riley - Stalling Between Two Fools
King Crimson – No Warning
Moraz-Bruford - Flags
Moraz-Bruford - Split Seconds
David Torn - Previous Man
David Torn - Three Minutes of Pure Entertainment
Bruford-Borstlap - 16 Kingdoms of The 5 Barbarians
Bruford-Borstlap - Stand on Zanzibar
Earthworks - With Friends Like These…
Bruford-Borstlap - Low Tide, Camber Sands
Bruford-Borstlap - Kinship