 During 2000, Earthworks played several London dates with veteran jazz guitar star Larry Coryell, who subsequently covered for Patrick Clahar for a Spanish tour which the saxophonist had to miss due to illness.In October, the band embarked on a 19-date British tour and began recording their next album in the last months of the year, with Bruford producing in addition to his other duties.Earthworks toured Japan, Spain, South Africa and the western UK prior to the May 2001 release of the band's fifth studio album "The Sound of Surprise".