 In comparison to the electro-acoustic experimentation of the original band, the second version of Earthworks was an almost entirely acoustic band with Bruford now having abandoned electronic drums altogether and returned to an acoustic kit (uniquely configured in symmetrical fashion).The only electronic instrumentation in the band was the infrequent use of a digital keyboard synthesizer by Hamilton.In late 1998, following initial UK concerts, the band (now featuring a new double bass player, Mark Hodgson) began recording the fourth Earthworks album, "A Part, and Yet Apart".