SKU
82876872902
Remastered edition of the band's fifth album arrives with one bonus track - an alternate version of "Take Two". I conferred with noted Soft Machine authority Steve Feigenbaum. I asked for his inner most feelings about Soft Machine 5. Thus spaketh Steve:
"Includes a bonus track; a never-before heard second version of "All White"!! Another overlooked, very fine album from Soft Machine, but this time the reason why is obvious; Robert Wyatt bailed a few months before the making of 5, and as vocalist and exuberant drummer, he was the most obvious focal point for the public, even as the band became more and more experimental and less 'pop'. This finds the band trying out new directions, first via the free-jazz drumming of Phil Howard on what was side one of the album, who was Elton's choice as the replacement for Robert, but who only lasted a few months and then via John Marshall, who came and stayed. The sound of the band has changed a lot as well. Gone are the really complicated compositions and in their place are pieces based on moods, modes and riffs and Mike Ratledge has discovered the echoplex, which is a big part of the sound of this album too. An album with a really appealing dark vibe for the most part. If you want to argue that this finds them just past their absolute peak, I wouldn't argue with you, but that doesn't make this anything less than excellent. Recommended!"
- Style:Jazz Rock
- Record Label:Sony