Record Reviews
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  | KEVIN AYERS ~ THE BBC SESSIONS 1970-1976
HUX 073 ~ UK ~ Canterbury Scene
Another splendid release from the BBC vaults presenting the extraordinary work of Canterbury hero Kevin AyersFind albums by this artist, spanning a period from his early Soft MachineFind albums by this artist days and later solo career. The list of musicians playing with Ayers on these sessions looks like a whos who of early 1970s Canterbury scene, Prog and Jazz combined: Robert WyattFind albums by this artist, Mike OldfieldFind albums by this artist, Mike RatledgeFind albums by this artist, Andy SummersFind albums by this artist, Hugh HopperFind albums by this artist, Lol CoxhillFind albums by this artist, David BedfordFind albums by this artist, Elton DeanFind albums by this artist, Archie LeggettFind albums by this artist, Ollie HalsallFind albums by this artist & Zoot MoneyFind albums by this artist. The music is as adventurous and quirky as his usual output, with often humorous lyrics and plenty of instrumental passages to spice it all. This material is of immense historical importance and opens many windows to the understanding of the simmering UK musical scene at the time. The sound quality is excellent as usual for all the BBC recorded material. A must to all Canterbury scene fans.
| | | CD 2 Remastered Recommend To A Friend |
  | SOFT MACHINE ~ ALIVE IN PARIS 1970
VOICEPRINT 045 (Barcode: 604388704200) ~ UK ~ Canterbury Scene
Recorded: 1970 Released: 2008
Although the early period of the legendary Canterbury band Soft MachineFind albums by this artist is relatively well documented on record, especially in the last decade when many live recordings of the band have been unearthed, cleaned up and released, video material was so far almost completely nonexistent. Therefore if there is a Holy Grail of Canterbury scene, and of course of Soft Machine, this is it! This footage, filmed by French TV at the Theatre de la Musique is not only a stellar visual experience but also a great sonic document due to the theatreīs superb acoustic. The band is at their most creative peak of course and whatīs more the quintet lineup here, including Lyn DobsonFind albums by this artist on saxes and flute, existed for a mere few months and is almost undocumented on record. Elton DeanFind albums by this artist, Mike RatledgeFind albums by this artist, Hugh HopperFind albums by this artist and Robert WyattFind albums by this artist are the bandīs backbone and of course everybody plays their hearts out in glorious harmony and high-spirited atmosphere. I donīt need to emphasize how great and groundbreaking this music is (as I have done repeatedly so many times already), so letīs just say that this is an essential piece of music history, which deserves a place in any serious music collection.
| | | DVD 1 Essential Recommend To A Friend |
  | SOFT MACHINE ~ BUNDLES
ESOTERIC 2196 (Barcode: 5013929729629) ~ UK ~ Canterbury Scene
Recorded: 1974 Released: 2010
By 1974 the legendary Soft Machine switched record labels from CBSFind albums on this label / ColumbiaFind albums on this label (after releasing five magnificent albums on that label) to EMIFind albums on this labelīs progressive HarvestFind albums on this label label, on which they would release the bandīs last four albums before their epic story would finally come to an end. But the label switch was in fact only an exterior manifestation of the deep changes that the group was experiencing at the time. In retrospect, the four Harvest albums mark a completely new phase in the bandīs musical direction, leaving behind the Free Jazz / Improvised Music extremes in favor of more structured and composed music, with strong melodic elements and almost mainstream Jazz-Rock sound. The most significant factor, which brought about the change, was Elton DeanFind albums by this artistīs replacement by oboe, saxophone and piano player Karl JenkinsFind albums by this artist, who also became the most prolific composer of the bandīs new material. The second factor was the decision to include a permanent guitarist into the bandīs ranks, which was to change the sound significantly from Jazz to Jazz-Rock. This was the first of the Harvest albums, with the Soft Machine lineup comprising of Jenkins, keyboardist Mike RatledgeFind albums by this artist, guitarist Allan HoldsworthFind albums by this artist, bassist Roy BabbingtonFind albums by this artist and drummer John MarshallFind albums by this artist. Saxophonist Ray WarleighFind albums by this artist helps out on one tune. The music is quite different from anything the band recorded previously, based upon shorter and beautifully composed melody lines. There is still plenty of improvisation by the players, but itīs much more settled and well organized. Holdsworth delivers some of his best playing to date but the overall level of musicianship is astounding. In retrospect this is still one of the best British Jazz-Rock albums and a magnificent piece of music history. An absolute must!
| | | CD 1 Oversampling Remastered Recommend To A Friend |
  | SOFT MACHINE ~ DROP
MOONJUNE 023 (Barcode: 692287902322) ~ UK ~ Canterbury Scene
Recorded: 1971 Released: 2008
Australian-born drummer Phil HowardFind albums by this artist stayed with Soft MachineFind albums by this artist just for five months, but his influence on the groupīs transition into free improvisation music was tremendous. He recorded just one side of an LP with the group (the first side of "FifthFind albums with this title") and played quite a few gigs in UK and Europe with the band, which included also saxophonist Elton DeanFind albums by this artist (who brought Howard into Soft Machine as a replacement for the departing Robert WyattFind albums by this artist), keyboardist Mike RatledgeFind albums by this artist and bassist Hugh HopperFind albums by this artist. The European gigs included the legendary appearance at the most prestigious European Jazz Festival at the time, the Donaueschingen Musiktage, organized by Joachim BerendtFind albums by this artist.
Howard brought into the quartet a ferocious "wall of sound" technique, which drove the quartet to unprecedented peaks of improvised music, only roughly based on themes stated at the start of every tune, very much in the same pattern as all free jazz, which flourished at the time, following the pioneering explorations of John ColtraneFind albums by this artist, Eric DolphyFind albums by this artist and many others. Alas Howardīs days in the band were numbered, as the band was waiting for his replacement, John MarshallFind albums by this artist, to finish his previous engagement with Jack BruceFind albums by this artist. Sadly, following his departure from Soft Machine, very little was heard from this immensely talented drummer, which is a great pity. He can be heard on the Elton Deanīs debut solo album "Just UsFind albums with this title" (a must if you donīt have it yet!).
The music included here, all captured live during Soft Machine German tour, which followed the festival appearance, is a premiere example of their immense quality at that time, delivering some of European Jazz mightiest moments, definitely something that can be enjoyed not only by the dedicated fan base, but also by every Modern Jazz lover the world over. This is s brilliant document, which deserves slow and careful digestion with saliva drooling from oneīs mouth, sure more than once. God bless the invention of a sound recorder!
| | Updated: 01/02/2016Posted: | CD 1 Digipak Remastered Recommend To A Friend |
  | SOFT MACHINE ~ FACELIFT
VOICEPRINT 233 (Barcode: 604388306725) ~ UK ~ Canterbury Scene
Recorded: 1970 Released: 2002
Any previously unreleased material by the seminal British band Soft MachineFind albums by this artist is always a great source of joy to the bandīs many fans all over the world, even if similar material exists on other studio and live recordings. By the time this live recording was made, the band, which comprised of saxophonist Elton DeanFind albums by this artist, keyboardist Mike RatledgeFind albums by this artist, bassist Hugh HopperFind albums by this artist and drummer Robert WyattFind albums by this artist, made a dramatic transition from their initial psychedelic period into Jazz-Rock Fusion, with often bordered on Free Jazz. This recording, from April 1970, was made just prior to the band entering the studio to record their masterpiece "ThirdFind albums with this title" and following their six-night residency at the prestigious Ronnie Scottīs club in London. They were at one of their musical peeks, having played the material included on this album for quite some time, which of course allowed them to stretch out and take risks, as well as re-invent the music at a greater rate of freedom that is usually possible with new pieces. This explains why several of the pieces are expanded to last well over 10 minutes and one even over 20 minutes. Most of the music was composed by Ratledge, with Hopper contributing a few of his own pieces and one piece by Wyatt. There is no doubt that this was a very special night, as the level of interplay and inspiration is truly extraordinary, with some of the most adventurous improvisations ever achieved by these illustrious musicians. While playing this music, the band was literally changing the shape of music as known up to that point, clearly pointing towards uncharted territory. Definitely one of the great moments of early British Jazz, not be missed by anybody interested in Soft Machine or the periodīs music. This album is often criticized for its poor sound quality; indeed it suffers from the primitive recording source, but honestly I think that every minute of this music is worth more that almost anything else recorded at the time, so poor sound quality or not, this is a treasure!
| | | CD 2 Recommend To A Friend |
  | SOFT MACHINE ~ FLOATING WORLD LIVE
MOONJUNE 007 (Barcode: 692287900724) ~ UK ~ Canterbury Scene
Recorded: 1975 Released: 2006
Live recordings by the legendary Canterbury band Soft MachineFind albums by this artist have been popping out in recent years on a regular basis, but all of these concentrate on the early days around the period between (and before) the first album and up to about 1973. Therefore this live album is especially interesting, as it dates from 1975, when the band went through a radical change with a new lineup, adding the extraordinary powers of guitarist Allan HoldsworthFind albums by this artist. The band, which also included Karl JenkinsFind albums by this artist on oboe, sax and keyboards, Mike RatledgeFind albums by this artist on keyboards, Roy BabbingtonFind albums by this artist on bass and John MarshallFind albums by this artist on drums, abandoned the material recorded on previous albums and concentrated on entirely new material, written mostly by Jenkins and Ratledge, which was about to be released on the "BundlesFind albums with this title" album. The source of the recording is the endless archive of Radio Bremen, which of course ensures superb sonic quality. Soft Machine enthusiasts need no encouragement to grab this album with sweaty hands, expecting the best, and sure enough it delivers in full. The performances are stellar, the music enchanting and although less revolutionary and Avant-Garde then the earlier period, nevertheless it is still some of the best stuff played in the 1970s, with distinct Fusion overtones and masterly touches by the musicians. The album includes extensive liner notes, where the band members reminiscence about the period and circumstances of the recording a great read and together with the music what a piece of music history!
| | Updated: 12/04/2019Posted: | CD 1 Recommend To A Friend |
  | SOFT MACHINE ~ GRIDES
CUNEIFORM 230/231 (Barcode: 045775023021) ~ UK ~ Canterbury Scene
Recorded: 1970 - 1971 Released: 2006
The Soft MachineFind albums by this artist archives keep offering new treasures on a pretty regular basis, taking the fans by surprise time after time. This album offers a live recording in Amsterdam from October 1970 (with the classic lineup Elton DeanFind albums by this artist, Hugh HopperFind albums by this artist, Mike RatledgeFind albums by this artist and Robert WyattFind albums by this artist), shortly after the release of ThirdFind albums with this title. The material includes some of the material from Third and early versions of material from the forthcoming FourthFind albums with this title. As usual with SM, although we all heard these tunes before, they do play them quite dramatically differently each time, so there is no fear of redundancy. In addition, this time the sound quality is truly great. As if the newly discovered materiel was no enough, this release also includes a 20 minutes DVD filmed in 1971 by Radio Bremen (at the same day when the VirtuallyFind albums with this title album material was recorded, but a different set). This is the first ever SM DVD material, which of course should make all the SM fans ecstatic. Essential to all SM fans and Canterbury aficionados!
| | | CD+DVD 2 Recommend To A Friend |
  | SOFT MACHINE ~ LIVE AT THE HENIE ONSTAD ART CENTRE 1971
REEL RECORDINGS 014/015 (Barcode: 775020975323) ~ UK ~ Canterbury Scene
Recorded: 1971 Released: 2009
This a live recording by the seminal UK band Soft MachineFind albums by this artist recorded in Norway at the very creative peak of the bandīs outstanding career. Saxophonist Elton DeanFind albums by this artist, keyboardist Mike RatledgeFind albums by this artist, bassist Hugh HopperFind albums by this artist and drummer Robert WyattFind albums by this artist perform two continuous, mostly improvised sets, each about 45 minutes long, which makes this particular album different from all the other Soft Machine live albums, where the band performs compositions previously recorded in the studio. In addition, the perfect sound quality of this recording, which was done professionally, is undoubtedly the best ever Soft Machine live recording sound captured on tape. In addition, this release is accompanied by a CD-ROM audio-visual documentary about the band and the circumstances of this recording, which is superbly done and highly educative. In short this is truly an outstanding musical document of great value, not only to the bandīs fan base but to all enthusiast of British Jazz as well. A must and a feast to our ears!
| | | CD 3 Mini-Sleeve Remastered Recommend To A Friend |
  | SOFT MACHINE ~ MIDDLE EARTH MASTERS
CUNEIFORM 235 (Barcode: 045775023526) ~ UK ~ Canterbury Scene
Recorded: 1967 - 1968 Released: 2006
Although the last decade witnessed an abundance of live Soft MachineFind albums by this artist releases, it is always welcome to discover yet another piece of the mysterious musical phenomenon that surrounded this band. Soon after the band was formed in 1966 and even before the first album was recorded they lost Daevid AllenFind albums by this artist and the remaining trio (Kevin AyersFind albums by this artist, Mike RatledgeFind albums by this artist and Robert WyattFind albums by this artist) carried on with their unique psychedelic sound and vision. The music contained on this album presents the band live at the legendary Londons Middle Earth club (the successor of the no less legendary UFO club). Two sessions, one from late 1967 and the other from early 1968, recorded by the experimental sound technician Bob WoolfordFind albums by this artist, remained completely forgotten for almost 40 years, to be recently unearthed by (or rather for) the owner of CuneiformFind albums on this label Records, who is a restless SM aficionado. Considering the sound quality of the original recording, some painstaking efforts have been made to restore this music to an audible quality and maintain the atmosphere of the original setting. The result is quite impressive and although the vocal parts are badly under-recorded the entire set has its magic, especially the sound of fuzz organ being pounded mercilessly during the extended instrumental improvisations. For the many SM fans, this is a unique document of the early days and a key factor in understanding the bands development.
| | | CD 1 Recommend To A Friend |
  | SOFT MACHINE ~ SEVEN (REMASTERED)
SONY BMG 768729 (Barcode: 828768729229) ~ UK ~ Canterbury Scene
Recorded: 1973 Released: 2007
7th album, which was the last recording Soft MachineFind albums by this artist did for CBSFind albums on this label. Following the release of SixFind albums with this title veteran SM member Hugh HopperFind albums by this artist announced his departure from the group. Hopper was not happy with the direction the group was taking, namely the less adventurous and jazz oriented Jazz-Rock, which dominated Six. Being a bold innovator and restless explorer, Hoppers idea of well-organized and structurally sound music was unacceptable, and he decided to leave. For the third time in a row the band enlisted to their ranks a replacement from the band NucleusFind albums by this artist, this time the bass player Roy BabbingtonFind albums by this artist (who already participated on FourthFind albums with this title and FifthFind albums with this title). He switched from his acoustic bass to a six-string bass guitar and his integration into the band was completely smooth and natural, as he was already familiar with John MarshallFind albums by this artist and Karl JenkinsFind albums by this artist. The music, written mostly by Jenkins and Mike RatledgeFind albums by this artist, is more Jazz-Rock than ever, with rather shorter, but extremely well structured and perfectly executed pieces. The keyboards duets and quirky rhythm patterns are the familiar Jazz-Rock devices used, similar to other groups which played similar music at the time. Contrary to the general opinion, which states that this album is not as strong as the previous SM releases, I personally completely disagree and consider this to be as essential as all the other CBS recordings with some of the best and most memorable SM tunes on it. After this album SM switched to the Harvest label, recording several Jazz-Rock albums featuring guitar players Allan HoldsworthFind albums by this artist and later John EtheridgeFind albums by this artist, all of which are still waiting for proper remaster. Essential!
| | | CD 1 Oversampling Remastered Essential Recommend To A Friend |
  | SOFT MACHINE ~ SOFTS
ESOTERIC 2202 (Barcode: 5013929730243) ~ UK ~ Canterbury Scene
Recorded: 1976 Released: 2010
By 1974 the legendary Soft Machine switched record labels from CBSFind albums on this label / ColumbiaFind albums on this label (after releasing five magnificent albums on that label) to EMIFind albums on this labelīs progressive HarvestFind albums on this label label, on which they would release the bandīs last four albums before their epic story would finally come to an end. But the label switch was in fact only an exterior manifestation of the deep changes that the group was experiencing at the time. In retrospect, the four Harvest albums mark a completely new phase in the bandīs musical direction, leaving behind the Free Jazz / Improvised Music extremes in favor of more structured and composed music, with strong melodic elements and almost mainstream Jazz-Rock sound. The most significant factor, which brought about the change, was Elton DeanFind albums by this artistīs replacement by oboe, saxophone and piano player Karl JenkinsFind albums by this artist, who also became the most prolific composer of the bandīs new material. The second factor was the decision to include a permanent guitarist into the bandīs ranks, which was to change the sound significantly from Jazz to Jazz-Rock. This was the second of the Harvest albums, with the Soft Machine lineup comprising of Jenkins, saxophonist Alan WakemanFind albums by this artist, guitarist John EtheridgeFind albums by this artist (who replaced Allan HoldsworthFind albums by this artist), bassist Roy BabbingtonFind albums by this artist and drummer John MarshallFind albums by this artist. The last founding member of Soft Machine, keyboardist Mike RatledgeFind albums by this artist left in the midst of recording of this album and his contribution here are minor. The music is a continuation of the direction set by its predecessor, based upon shorter and beautifully composed melody lines. There is still plenty of improvisation by the players, but itīs much more settled and well organized. In retrospect this is still a very solid album by a great band and an absolute must to all Soft Machine fans.
| | | CD 1 Oversampling Remastered Recommend To A Friend |
  | SOFT MACHINE ~ THE DUTCH LESSON
CUNEIFORM 490/491 (Barcode: 045775049021) ~ UK ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion
Recorded: 1973 Released: 2023
This is an archival live album by the iconic British Prog / Fusion group Soft MachineFind albums by this artist, recorded in Rotterdam on October 26, 1973. At the time this recording was made Soft Machine consisted of saxophonist / oboist / pianist Karl JenkinsFind albums by this artist, keyboardist Mike RatledgeFind albums by this artist, bassist Roy BabbingtonFind albums by this artist and drummer John MarshallFind albums by this artist. The 2CD album presents fifteen tracks, all composed or co-composed by the group members.
The group released the album SevenFind albums with this title before this concert was recorded, but none of the material from that album, except for one track, does not appear on this live album. One of the tracks that would appear on their next album BundlesFind albums with this title is also present, and the rest of the material originates mostly from SixFind albums with this title.
The music is mostly Jazz-Rock Fusion oriented, with lengthy tracks (in three cases over ten minutes in duration), with a double keyboards and dense rhythm section dominating the proceedings. Some hypnotic / Psychedelic moments are also present and there are definitely no dull moments for the entire duration. The sound quality is admittedly quite good for a live amateurish recording originating in the seventies. Although the album itself offers very little previously unheard aspects of the Soft Machine phenomenon, every second of their music, especially in such sound quality, is always welcome. Every time when one thinks the sources have been exhausted, some new recording pops out, which adds to the enormous live recording legacy by Soft Machine, mostly released by the CuneiformFind albums on this label label.
Overall, this is an excellent addition to the recorded legacy by one of the most important groups in British Prog / Fusion history, which despite the fact that it was recorded fifty years before being now released, is still completely valid and offers imaginative, ambitious music. An absolute must, of course, to the many Soft Machine completists, and quality music connoisseurs the world over. Considering the fact that Soft Machine still exists and I will hear them perform very soon, obviously adds to the joy of listening to this album.
| | Updated: 23/06/2023Posted: 23/06/2023 | CD 2 Remastered Recommend To A Friend |
  | SOFT MACHINE ~ THE SOFT MACHINE (EXPANDED EDITION)
POLYDOR 532050 (Barcode: 600753205051) ~ UK ~ Canterbury Scene
Recorded: 1968 Released: 2009
1st album by the seminal UK band Soft MachineFind albums by this artist, which would in time become an icon of the Psychedelic era and a founding stone of the Canterbury genre. Guitarist Kevin AyersFind albums by this artist, keyboardist Mike RatledgeFind albums by this artist and drummer Robert WyattFind albums by this artist were some of the most talented, inspired and prophetic musicians, who found themselves in the midst of a musical (and social) revolution, which would inspire generations to come. This timeless masterpiece is molten gold (or mercury) of ingenuity in every respect, full of zany ideas, typical British humor and futuristic (at that time) musical approach, based on freedom of expression and telepathic communication and interplay. Although "song based", this music was completely unconventional, in many respects ridiculing the popular music of the time. Ratledge brought a strong Jazzy feel into the mix, which would soon after dominate the groupīs direction during the 1970s, causing Ayers to leave the group after this album was recorded and the tour that followed. Ratledge and Wyatt would recruit bassist Hugh HopperFind albums by this artist (who was the bandīs roadie at the time) and the new lineup would record their second album and another masterpiece. In retrospect this music still sounds too good to be true and lost nothing of its power and inspiration. Only a handful of albums can feel that fresh over 40 years after they have been recorded, but this one is surely one of them. This new remastered and expanded edition adds two ultra-rare tracks recorded by the band a year earlier. An absolutely essential album and a must!
| | | CD 1 Remastered Bonus Tracks Essential Recommend To A Friend |
  | SOFT MACHINE ~ THIRD (EXPANDED EDITION)
SONY BMG 687293 (Barcode: 828768729328) ~ UK ~ Canterbury Scene
Recorded: 1970 Released: 2007
3rd album by Soft MachineFind albums by this artist, originally released as a double LP. Although basically a trio at this point (Robert WyattFind albums by this artist, Hugh HopperFind albums by this artist & Mike RatledgeFind albums by this artist) they use a horn-section to expand the sound of the band, which includes among others Elton DeanFind albums by this artist (soon to be a full time SM member) and Jimmy HastingsFind albums by this artist (brother of Pye HastingsFind albums by this artist from CaravanFind albums by this artist). The music is of course one of the most pivotal recordings of the era and widely accepted as one of the greatest epics of Prog and Canterbury music, with brilliant improvisations and incredibly strong writing. Almost entirely instrumental, with Wyatt`s occasional scatting, this album marks the bands transition from early psychedelic pop / rock to Jazz-Rock and later eventually to free jazz. With constantly changing lineup the band managed in the span of just a few months, between late 1969 and early 1970, to create an entirely new genre in itself, as nothing else done by any other band would ever sound similar to Soft Machine (of that period). This music is as revolutionary and groundbreaking as the stuff Miles DavisFind albums by this artist was creating at the time on the other side of the pond, and equally brilliant. The beautiful new edition adds a full bonus CD, which contains a live recording at the Royal Alert Hall (August 1970), done by the BBC (a trademark of sonic quality), previously unreleased. An absolute masterpiece, beyond essential!
| | | CD 2 Oversampling Remastered Bonus Tracks Essential Recommend To A Friend |
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