When you're a drummer playing behind the vocal heights of Jon Anderson, the guitar virtuosity of
Steve Howe, or the keyboard genius of
Rick Wakeman, you may expect to be disregarded from time to time. Aside from die-hard fans of
Yes or
King Crimson,
Bill Bruford's drumming is taken for granted more often than not, when in fact he's one of the finest rock drummers to emerge from the era.
Master Strokes: 1978-1985 is a well-assembled compilation of some of
Bruford's best drum work, spanning numerous styles and examples of percussive artistry. All 14 tracks explore the many sides of
Bruford's repertoire, delving into jazz fusion, straightforward rock, and progressive rock, and laying out some entertaining examples of how much fire the drums can truly muster, not only in their bombastic state, but also as an accompaniment to other instruments and rhythms as well. Taking tracks from Feels Good to Me, One of a Kind, and Gradually Going Tornado, this collection stands as one of the best offerings of his solo work; from the attitude-laden "Hells Bells" to the steady flow of "Travels With Myself and Someone Else" to the imaginative "Fainting in Coils," every aspect of
Bruford's percussive talents are covered. "The Drum Also Waltzes" and "Gothic 17" are two of the best out-of-the-ordinary cuts, exhibiting both hard and soft styles of drumming and cymbal playing. Presenting twice as many tracks as
The Bruford Tapes,
Master Strokes: 1978-1985 makes for the best one-stop for those who want to hear
Bruford playing to his own ideas, tempos, and genres. ~ Mike DeGagne