Record Reviews

ELTON DEAN ~ JUST US CUNEIFORM 103 (Barcode: 045775010328) ~ UK ~ Canterbury Scene Recorded: 1971 - 1972 Released: 1998 A reissue of the legendary debut album by British saxophonist Elton DeanFind albums by this artist (called the `scorpions` album by collectors), recorded when Dean was already a Soft MachineFind albums by this artist member. Several of the SM members participate here (Mike RatledgeFind albums by this artist, Roy BabbingtonFind albums by this artist, Phil HowardFind albums by this artist), with the music being a fully developed Modern / Free Jazz (not Prog) at its best. This album is considered as one of pivotal UK Modern Jazz albums and rightly so, as the music is superb - provocative, challenging and intelligent at all times. The bonus tracks come from 1972 and show another glimpse at Dean`s activities at the time. A must for all UK Modern Jazz fans.

CD 1 Remastered Bonus Tracks 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 group´s 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 Howard´s 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 Dean´s debut solo album "Just UsFind albums with this title" (a must if you don´t 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 one´s 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 ~ FIFTH (EXPANDED EDITION) SONY BMG 687290 (Barcode: 828768729021) ~ UK ~ Canterbury Scene Recorded: 1971 - 1972 Released: 2007 5th album, which is also the first Soft MachineFind albums by this artist recording following Robert WyattFind albums by this artist’s departure from the group. Elton DeanFind albums by this artist enlisted the Australian drummer Phil HowardFind albums by this artist as Wyatt’s replacement. Howard played on Dean’s first album (Just UsFind albums with this title) recorded just a few month earlier and seemed a natural choice. However, after playing with the band for a few months in 1971 and then recording about half of the tracks on this album, the rest of the group felt that Howard’s free style didn’t feel completely right with their Jazz-Rock explorations and decided to look for a replacement. Fortunately they were able to enlist the absolutely best Jazz-Rock drummer on the UK scene at the time, John MarshallFind albums by this artist, who was a member of the fabulous Ian CarrFind albums by this artist’s NucleusFind albums by this artist. Marshall brought to the band not only his amazing technique, but also more importantly his inventiveness and stability, which would serve as the perfect basis for the other members’ improvisations. The band completed the rest of the tracks on this album with Marshall at the drum chair. No horn-section was employed on this album, but the double bass player Roy BabingtonFind albums by this artist was used again to strengthen the rhythm section and allow more freedom and space for Hopper’s explorations. The album includes shorter pieces (in contrast to the LP’s sidelong tracks of ThirdFind albums with this title and FourthFind albums by this artist), creating a much more concise and focused musical opus, surely one of the best SM ever recorded. Listening to this album today will perhaps restore for some listeners the full glory it deserves, which was often overlooked by critics and fans alike, which usually prefer the Third album. This beautiful new remaster improves the original sound tremendously and the bonus track (alas only one) is a gem. Absolutely essential!

CD 1 Oversampling Remastered Bonus Tracks Essential Recommend To A Friend