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  | SOFT MACHINE ~ LAND OF COCKAYNE
ESOTERIC 2208 (Barcode: 5013929730847) ~ UK ~ Canterbury Scene
Recorded: 1980 Released: 2010
This is the 4th Soft MachineFind albums by this artist album released on the HarvestFind albums on this label label and the last ever record released by the band, bringing an end on a magnificent career, which spanned two and a half decades and resulted in some of the most important music ever recorded. But the truth behind the album is quite different from what appears on the album´s cover – the fact is that Soft Machine did not exist for some time when this album was released and this is a solo project of the last leader of the band, composer / keyboardist Karl JenkinsFind albums by this artist. The decision to release the album under the band´s name is somewhat dubious. Nevertheless the connection to Soft Machine is pretty obvious, as this album features several of its ex-members and co-members: guitarist Allan HoldsworthFind albums by this artist, drummer John MarshallFind albums by this artist and saxophonist Ray WarleighFind albums by this artist. Jenkins added several other outstanding musicians to Soft Machine core: bassist Jack BruceFind albums by this artist, saxophonist Dick MorrisseyFind albums by this artist, guitarist Alan ParkerFind albums by this artist and pianist John TaylorFind albums by this artist. The music floats somewhere between Jazz and ambient music, with strong ties to contemporary Classical, emphasized by the string arrangements, and some World Music influences. It is a preview of the future work of Jenkins, who in the years to come established himself as one of British most distinguished contemporary composers. So is this a Soft Machine album? Who cares, the important fact remains that this is still great music, which holds water 30 years after it was recorded. Obviously hard-core Soft Machine fans might find it not to their taste, but it is here to stay as part of the band´s legacy. Deal with it.
| | Updated: 10/03/2023Posted: | CD 1 Oversampling Remastered Recommend To A Friend |
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