Soft Machine were early contemporaries of Pink Floyd on the British psychedelic scene.  Like Floyd, a key personnel change led to a new sound.  But while Floyd went space-rock before becoming Prog gods, Soft Machine went deep into jazz-rock.  Vocals were almost entirely done away with, and Elton Dean's free-jazz-y woodwinds became the main voice.

The original vinyl album had 4 sidelong pieces, all of which fit neatly on one CD.  Which isn't as great as it might sound since several of the songs are over-long in that 70's self-indulgent way.  Now, I'm a sucker for a great epic if it's worth the time, but a couple of these pieces take way to long to get going anywhere.

The adventurous intrumental interplay and and imaginitive use of guest horn players is very good, and the 4th "side," "Out-Bloody-Rageous" is really killer and easily the high point of the album.

The music is 4-star but the bad production job drags it down a star.  This gets almost painful to listen to in spots due to the production.  Remaster please!!!

Recommended for fans of Fusion, Jazz Rock with the emphasis on Jazz, RIO, Prog and even psychedelic since this record is just made for your favorite mood-enhancer!
Soft Machine were early contemporaries of Pink Floyd on the British psychedelic scene. Like Floyd, a key personnel change led to a new sound. But while Floyd went space-rock before becoming Prog gods, Soft Machine went deep into jazz-rock. Vocals were almost entirely done away with, and Elton Dean's free-jazz-y woodwinds became the main voice. The original vinyl album had 4 sidelong pieces, all of which fit neatly on one CD. Which isn't as great as it might sound since several of the songs are over-long in that 70's self-indulgent way. Now, I'm a sucker for a great epic if it's worth the time, but a couple of these pieces take way to long to get going anywhere. The adventurous intrumental interplay and and imaginitive use of guest horn players is very good, and the 4th "side," "Out-Bloody-Rageous" is really killer and easily the high point of the album. The music is 4-star but the bad production job drags it down a star. This gets almost painful to listen to in spots due to the production. Remaster please!!! Recommended for fans of Fusion, Jazz Rock with the emphasis on Jazz, RIO, Prog and even psychedelic since this record is just made for your favorite mood-enhancer!