{"title":"Soft Machine","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eSoft Machine is an English rock and jazz band from Canterbury, formed in mid-1966. The band was named after the novel \"The Soft Machine\" by William S. Burroughs. Led by Australian artist Daevid Allen, the group was influenced by the emerging Beat Generation and the music philosophies of Sun Ra. They started as a free-jazz outfit called the Daevid Allen Trio before evolving into Soft Machine with members Robert Wyatt, Mike Ratledge, and Kevin Ayers. Their eponymous album released in 1968 is considered a classic of the late 1960s psychedelic era.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe band gained popularity on London's psychedelic scene and performed at various iconic venues such as The Marquee and UFO club. They also took part in notable events like the '14 Hour Technicolor Dream' alongside Pink Floyd and Velvet Underground. Despite several lineup changes over the years, Soft Machine continued to push boundaries with their experimental sound.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eToday, Soft Machine remains active with current members John Etheridge on guitar, Theo Travis on saxophone\/flute\/piano, Fred T. Baker on bass (since 2022), and Asaf Sirkis on drums (since 2023). Their music continues to captivate audiences with its unique blend of rock and jazz influences.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"the-dew-at-dawn-slightly-slightly-all-the-time","title":"The Dew at Dawn \/ (Slightly) Slightly All the Time","description":"\u003cp\u003eFabled jazz-rock group Soft Machine present this heartfelt tribute to one of the greats of British jazz - trumpeter Harry Beckett - covering his stunning \"The Dew at Dawn\" on this limited edition 7\" vinyl, with a cover of a classic Softs tune on the B side.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis is the second 7\" in My Only Desire Records' Brit Jazz 45s series, which sees some of their favourite contemporary jazz acts each making brand new studio recordings of two classic compositions from the golden era of '60s and '70s British jazz. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e   Now led by guitar master John Etheridge, an original Soft Machine member since the mid-'70s and Canterbury scene veteran saxophonist Theo Travis, the band has undergone some recent lineup changes with bassist Fred Thelonious Baker (a former Harry Beckett bandmate) joining for 2023's 'Other Doors' album. This is also the first recording with drummer Asaf Sirkis, who has replaced the late British jazz legend John Marshall. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e  Etheridge and Travis' unique arrangement has upped the tempo of the \"The Dew at Dawn\" (originally released on Ogun Records in 1975) pushing the Caribbean-infused groove to the fore. Beckett's joyful theme - first played on Etheridge's guitar and then picked up by Travis' mesmeric soprano saxophone - evokes the sun rising over the misty Hackney marshes and the hope of a better future. The track is underpinned by Baker's nimble bass guitar and Sirkis' scattering drums, with Etheridge's superb soloing honed over a stellar five-decade career. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e  \"Slightly All the Time\" from Soft Machine's seminal 1970 opus 'Third', gets a clever reworking for this 7\", with the sprawling epic-ness of Mike Ratledge's original composition, trimmed down to its essential parts, and Travis' outrageously good flute playing ramping up the '70s Brit jazz vibes.  \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"My Only Desire Records","offers":[{"title":"Black 7\" - 2171442","offer_id":50398667211083,"sku":"2171442","price":14.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/image005_6f427f4d_thumbnail_4096.png?v=1726497736"},{"product_id":"ndr-jazz-workshop-germany-may-17-1973","title":"Ndr Jazz Workshop, Germany, May 17, 1973","description":"\u003cp\u003eThis long sought-after performance has never been seen since its original broadcast over 35 years ago. Easily the best vintage visual document of the group, it also features superb live stereo sound.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eRecorded for Germany's famous NDR Jazz Workshop, the group features \u003cstrong\u003eMike Ratledge\u003c\/strong\u003e, \u003cstrong\u003eKarl Jenkins\u003c\/strong\u003e, \u003cstrong\u003eRoy Babbington\u003c\/strong\u003e, and \u003cstrong\u003eJohn Marshall\u003c\/strong\u003e. This is the awesome jazz-rock powered line-up which inspired many of today's avant-rock luminaries like Tortoise, Jaga Jazzist, et al. This is searing, exploratory fiery jazz rock for the uninhibited.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"No Label","offers":[{"title":"CD.","offer_id":50402169946443,"sku":"325971","price":23.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/9f069198-2789-4d6e-bf29-c134befbff36_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1726534833"},{"product_id":"true-love-9","title":"True Love","description":"\u003cp\u003eSoft Walls is the solo recording project of Dan Reeves, who has spent his entire adult life kicking around in the dust of the UK's underground music scenes. Cutting his teeth in the South West's post-hardcore scene; centred around Exeter's The Cavern club, before moving South and forming his own record label; Faux Discx, and the propulsive post-punk band: Brighton via London's Cold Pumas. Projects have come and gone, but Reeves' Soft Walls has remained, an outlet for whatever musical whim takes his fancy. 'True Love' is Soft Walls' 4th album. Written and recorded at home, during breaks in work. During the aftermath of you-know-what. For this album Dan leaned heavily in to his guitar playing, searching for those purest moments of true emotion and connection. Aiming to strike an instant blow. \"Emotional guitar music. But not Emo.\" The result of falling in love with an instrument again and playing for the joy of it, much like he did as a teenager. Just older, wiser(?) and certainly more world-weary \/ teary-eyed. Thematically, 'True Love' revels in stating its love for everything that is dear to Reeves. Odes to marriage, romance, unconditional love, parenthood and creativity pierce through the record's down-swings that tackle existential crisis and the feeling of falling in to depression. Each song attempts to encapsulate a vivid feeling, be it positive or negative. It's all part of a life worth living. Although recorded at home, this album marks a leap in to digital mid-fidelity for Soft Walls, embracing a wider, richer sound beyond the tape hiss of earlier releases. That same spirt is still in the mix, but is presented wide-eyed and caffeinated into clarity. Elevated by the input of a handful of collaborators contributing to the performances and helping to shape it sonically, 'True Love' ends up being the truest version of Soft Walls committed to (digital) tape thus far.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Soft Music","offers":[{"title":"Yellow LP.","offer_id":50402304622923,"sku":"2176641","price":24.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/SOFT_WALLS_TRUE_LOVE_8a0d2f67_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1726540018"},{"product_id":"third-6","title":"Third","description":"\u003cp\u003eSoft Machine released their third album \u003cem\u003eThird\u003c\/em\u003e in 1970. It is a double album with each side of the vinyl consisting of a single long composition. Its music explores the emerging Jazz Fusion of the type present on Miles Davis' \u003cem\u003eBitches Brew\u003c\/em\u003e, which was released just a few months earlier.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eThird\u003c\/em\u003e marks the most major of Soft Machine's several shifts in musical genre over their career, completing their transition from psychedelic music to Jazz. It is a significant milestone of the Canterbury scene, featuring interplay between the band's personnel: Mike Ratledge on keyboards, Robert Wyatt on drums, Hugh Hopper on bass, and newest member Elton Dean on saxophone.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Music On Vinyl","offers":[{"title":"2CD","offer_id":50402391523659,"sku":"279871","price":8.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"LP - Black","offer_id":50402391687499,"sku":"1161565","price":42.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"2LP - Black","offer_id":53520810508619,"sku":"R3608-5287","price":29.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/9a84dfb4-4bee-48a9-958d-f10345c8781a_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1726543927"},{"product_id":"hovikodden-1971","title":"Hovikodden 1971","description":"\u003cp\u003eElton Dean alto sax, saxello, Hohner pianet Hugh Hopper bass Mike Ratledge Hohner pianet, Lowrey Holiday Deluxe organ, Fender Rhodes Robert Wyatt drums, vocals.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis well recorded and carefully mastered set captures the most famous version of the band (the 'classic quartet') on their final European tour on two consecutive nights on February 27 and 28, 1971. While the two sets from the second night (February 28, 1971) have been released before, this is the first time that the entire two-night stand has been released. So half of this is previously completely unreleased. This is an excellent, stereo recording of the band performing in a relatively small hall; the volume balance between the instruments is not perfect, but there is no other recording by Soft Machine that sounds as much like the band are performing right in front of you! Additionally, the label were able to improve in a modest way the not-perfect balance between the instruments on this edition.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eSoft Machine's two concerts at the Henie-Onstad Art Center near Oslo, Norway, in late February 1971 were special in several respects. The circumstances, of course, were unusual...in a museum space, as part of an art exhibition by the Boyle Family, and Mark Boyle's films were projected during the performances. But more significantly, both shows were recorded, and superbly at that, providing a rare glimpse into how, at this stage in the band's existence, the music could change significantly from one night to the next, even when the setting didn't.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Cuneiform","offers":[{"title":"Black LP","offer_id":50421807350091,"sku":"2178412","price":134.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"CDx4","offer_id":50421808398667,"sku":"2178413","price":69.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/kGCt6X0i_c8b44167_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1726760660"},{"product_id":"noisette-2","title":"Noisette","description":"\u003cp\u003eRecorded January 4, 1970 at Fairfield Hall, Croydon, England, this was the first show performed by the short lived 1970 quintet version of the band and  is taken from the same concert as \"Facelift\".      \u003ci\u003eNoisette\u003c\/i\u003e features the rest of the concert, and showcases a band in transition from their earlier  psychedelic\/ progressive sound towards the jazz rock sound of \u003ci\u003eThird\u003c\/i\u003e and \u003ci\u003eFourth\u003c\/i\u003e. It features the quintet performing versions of material from their 1st two albums as well as material not available on their studio albums.      Mastered directly off of the 50 year old 15ips master tapes, this release boasts superb live sound for the time period, and includes rare, unseen photos  and liner notes by Aymeric Leroy.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Cuneiform","offers":[{"title":"CD","offer_id":50435428909387,"sku":"2029924","price":14.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/image005_623f1bc7_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1726903395"},{"product_id":"live-at-henie-onstad-art-centre-1971","title":"Live At Henie Onstad Art Centre 1971","description":"\u003cp\u003eSoft Machine performing two continuous sets of compositions, improvisations and dynamisms All instruments, except saxes, variously processed with electronic effect devices Henie Onstad Art Centre, Høvikodden, Norway, 28th of February, 1971. Stereophonic ambient recording technique to Studer A62 Reel-to-Reel.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"DBQP","offers":[{"title":"Black | LP","offer_id":50452179124555,"sku":"1154017","price":18.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/e87f2a26-1fe1-4f76-93ea-5fed0c059ee8_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1727143245"},{"product_id":"paris-1970","title":"Paris 1970","description":"\u003cp\u003eIncredible performance, live from Paris Includes the entire Pop Deux TV broadcast. Hand numbered gatefold sleeve with background liners and rare images. Digitally remastered for greatly enhanced sound quality.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"London Calling","offers":[{"title":"Green | LP | x2","offer_id":50454084583755,"sku":"1117756","price":26.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/e4ee6cde-441c-46d3-a4cb-97826f5c8a06_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1727180702"},{"product_id":"hidden-details","title":"Hidden Details","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eHidden Details\u003c\/i\u003e is a new studio album of Soft Machine, recorded at the late great Jon Hiseman's Temple Studio in Surrey, England, last December 2017. Released on John Etheridge's Dyan Records exactly 50 years since the release of the band's 1968 debut album \u003ci\u003eThe Soft Machine\u003c\/i\u003e. \u003ci\u003eHidden Details\u003c\/i\u003e is very much the product of an active, contemporary sounding outfit striking out with its own agenda. Though informed by the past, the music here is neither weighed down nor beholden to it. Animated with the same ineffable and inquisitive spirit that has always made this group throughout its fifty years such a compelling experience. The yearning tenderness of \u003ci\u003eHeart Off Guard \u003c\/i\u003eand the come-down reveries of \u003ci\u003eBroken Hill\u003c\/i\u003e and \u003ci\u003eDrifting White\u003c\/i\u003e showcase the more intimate aspects of Soft Machine's personality while in contrast, \u003ci\u003eOne Glove\u003c\/i\u003e gives the more pugilistic side of John Etheridge's playing an outing. The terse angularities of the title track and \u003ci\u003eLife on Bridges\u003c\/i\u003e highlight a fearless disposition, as does the buzzsaw interplay heard during \u003ci\u003eGround Lift\u003c\/i\u003e and \u003ci\u003eFlight of the Jett,\u003c\/i\u003e both featuring Roy Babbington's decisive interventions. The surging lyricism of \u003ci\u003eFourteen Hour Dream\u003c\/i\u003e flirts with an almost popish sensibility, underscoring the sense that this is a quartet that is fundamentally at ease with itself. The return of what some older fans of the band have called 'cosmic tinkles’'– the appearance of layers of cyclical electric piano motifs – is especially welcome. Their brief manifestation on\u003ci\u003e The Man Who Waved at Trains\u003c\/i\u003e and Third-era, \u003ci\u003eOut-Bloody-Rageous\u003c\/i\u003e, both stone-cold Mike Ratledge-composed classics, adds an extra spacey dimension to the overall sound. Travis' use of looping technology with his flutes creates its own beguiling world and can be heard to powerful effect on the beautiful and enigmatic \u003ci\u003eBreathe\u003c\/i\u003e, where his hovering notes are underpinned by Marshall's oblique yet atmospheric percussion.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Dyad","offers":[{"title":"CD","offer_id":50468542349643,"sku":"1041434","price":14.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/55a510cd-265c-4717-8f82-e63554b4cb96_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1727348777"},{"product_id":"grides","title":"Grides","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSoft Machine\u003c\/strong\u003e was one of England's original psychedelic bands, emerging from the 'UFO Club' London scene alongside Pink Floyd. They toured the USA with the Jimi Hendrix Experience twice in 1968, performing over 60 shows as the opening act. The band disbanded after the Hendrix tours but regrouped in early 1969 with the trio lineup of Mike Ratledge (organ), Hugh Hopper (bass), and Robert Wyatt (drums\/vocals), heading in a more jazz-influenced direction while maintaining their rock energy.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIn the fall of 1969, Elton Dean (saxes) joined the band, solidifying what is now considered their classic formation. Soft Machine was among the earliest English jazz\/rock bands. This CD and DVD set includes a previously unreleased live concert as well as the first-ever DVD release by Soft Machine, both featuring the classic lineup.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eGrides\u003c\/em\u003e includes a previously unreleased live concert recorded in Amsterdam on October 25, 1970, and a DVD from Soft Machine's final European tour with Robert Wyatt in 1971. The DVD captures a 20-minute set professionally recorded by a multi-camera crew.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Cuneiform","offers":[{"title":"CD\/DVD","offer_id":50470447972683,"sku":"271323","price":24.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/1b9178d3-abea-471d-aeba-2b93b1e27e9a_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1727377161"},{"product_id":"wonderland-1","title":"Wonderland","description":"\u003cp\u003eRare early Soft Machine cuts from 1963 -1970, featuring Robert Wyatt, Kevin Ayers, Mike Ratledge, Hugh Hopper, Daevid Allen and others now released on red vinyl.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eTracks: I’m So Low \/ Clarence In Wonderland \/ She’s Gone \/ Save Yourself \/ We Know What You Mean \/ As Long As He Lies Perfectly Still \/ Fire Engine Passing \/ Esther's Nose Job \/ Moon In June\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Secret Records","offers":[{"title":"LP","offer_id":50476824232267,"sku":"1147032","price":17.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/fc5c0fb5-418f-4af8-84c9-9d690f1109af_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1727464373"},{"product_id":"facelift-france-and-holland-2","title":"Facelift France and Holland","description":"\u003cp\u003eFrom their beginnings as a psychedelic rock band in 1966, sharing stages with Pink Floyd and the Jimi Hendrix Experience, to being one of the originators of electric jazz\/rock by early 1969, Britain's Soft Machine were restlessly creative. \u003ci\u003eFacelift France and Holland\u003c\/i\u003e captures them at a pivotal moment in the first quarter of 1970 as a short-lived quintet, just before they recorded and released their breakthrough album \u003ci\u003eThird\u003c\/i\u003e. As broadcast on the French TV programme Pop 2, the film of Soft Machine's concert at Paris' ThÈ‚tre de la Musique, which constitutes the main course of this release, stands as an exceptional document of the band at, arguably, its artistic peak. It is the earliest footage of the band to be commercially released and also the only video footage known to exist of the quintet line-up that was active from January to March 1970, and contains the only professionally-recorded performance of \"Out-Bloody-Rageous\" with Lyn Dobson on second sax. It also is the only professionally-recorded alternative performance by the quintet of \"Facelift\" (the original appearing as the opening track on Third).\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn addition to the March, 1970 material presented here on vinyl and DVD in splendid stereo sound, Side D presents a previously unreleased performance at Amsterdam's Concertgebouw from January 1970.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Cuneiform","offers":[{"title":"LP","offer_id":50477354615115,"sku":"2003342","price":57.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/7ooRtEQw_e267989c_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1727470402"},{"product_id":"the-dutch-lesson","title":"The Dutch Lesson","description":"\u003cp\u003eSoft Machine live recordings go, the second half of 1973 has until now been poorly documented. We have the NDR Jazz Workshop performance in Hamburg from May 1973, but having been taped just after Roy Babbington had joined, it is greatly of interest to followers to hear how the line-up would have gelled after a few months on the road.      Shortly after the period documented here, the band would swell to a quintet, in order to accommodate a guitarist (first Allan Holdsworth and then John Etheridge, who remains in the band to this day), an instrument that the band had not featured since fall, 1967!      Recorded at De Lantaren, Rotterdam, The Netherlands, on October 26, 1973, this previously unknown and never-before released recording showcases the band  as a road-tested powerhouse. \u003ci\u003eThe Dutch Lesson\u003c\/i\u003e is the 11th release in Cuneiform’s on-going series of archival releases documenting the work of Britain’s restlessly creative Soft Machine. \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Cuneiform","offers":[{"title":"CD","offer_id":50477397836107,"sku":"2008820","price":23.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/image005_3c195446_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1727471538"},{"product_id":"live-at-the-bataclan","title":"Live at the Bataclan","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe summer months of 1969 presented a Soft Machine on full power, trekking between England and Europe. They were also in and out of the studios with sessions for their third album, recording theatrical soundtracks (Spaced) and contributing to Kevin Ayers’ \u003ci\u003eJoy Of A Toy\u003c\/i\u003e and Syd Barrett’s \u003ci\u003eThe Madcap Laughs\u003c\/i\u003e. Ratledge, Wyatt and Hopper’s ingenuity and innovation was at a level that seemed to match their work ethic. Their appearance at Le Bataclan was one of two shows held in Paris that month and without Brian Hopper guesting sax as he had done for the UK dates. What can be taken from this Paris show is that it is one of the last performances by the Soft Machine as a trio before they expanded to a septet in October. The core magic that drives the machine is superbly evident here with each of the trio enjoying respective interludes that combine to bring embryonic versions of their next album (Third) to the stage, all captured magnificently on French TV! \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eLondon calling proudly presents, the Soft Machine, live from Le Bataclan, Paris on 25th June 1969. Superb, professionally remastered original ORTF broadcast with background liners and timeline photos. \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"London Calling","offers":[{"title":"Turquoise | LP | x2","offer_id":50481943773515,"sku":"1131540","price":26.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/a2b26a73-c7df-46a9-80da-22a06f0ea93c_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1727547028"},{"product_id":"other-doors","title":"Other Doors","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSoft Machine\u003c\/strong\u003e's first studio album since 2018's \u003cem\u003eHidden Details\u003c\/em\u003e is \u003cem\u003eOther Doors\u003c\/em\u003e, marking a new chapter in the history of the legendary prog\/jazz\/fusion band. This album serves as both an ending and a beginning for the group, which has been in existence for 55 years.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThis studio album features the final studio appearance of drum legend \u003cstrong\u003eJohn Marshall\u003c\/strong\u003e, who played passionately on this album. Following the completion of the recording, Marshall, aged 81, decided to retire due to ongoing health issues. Additionally, the album introduces bass player \u003cstrong\u003eFred Baker\u003c\/strong\u003e to the band, replacing Roy Babbington who had been with the group since 1970.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eOther Doors\u003c\/em\u003e includes new music and reimagined versions of two Soft Machine classics - \"\u003cem\u003ePenny Hitch\u003c\/em\u003e\" (from 'Seven') and \"\u003cem\u003eJoy of a Toy\u003c\/em\u003e\" (from the first album). The album showcases atmospheric improvisations, psychedelic free jazz, burning jazz rock, screaming guitar, hypnotic looped alto flutes, fretless bass grooves, powerful drums, and experimental electronic music, highlighting the band's commitment to musically ambitious, jazz-based music without boundaries.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eLead by \u003cstrong\u003eJohn Etheridge\u003c\/strong\u003e from the celebrated '70s version of the group, which recorded the acclaimed 'Softs' album in 1975, and co-lead by outstanding sax\/flute star \u003cstrong\u003eTheo Travis\u003c\/strong\u003e (known for collaborations with Robert Fripp, David Gilmour, and Steven Wilson), Soft Machine continues to push the boundaries of their music.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIn 2021, \u003cstrong\u003eRoy Babbington\u003c\/strong\u003e retired from public performance, paving the way for bassist \u003cstrong\u003eFred Thelonious Baker\u003c\/strong\u003e to join the band. 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After recording five highly acclaimed albums for the CBS Records label, Soft Machine signed a licensing deal with EMI’s “Progressive” imprint, Harvest Records in 1974 and would record two further studio albums and a live album for the label over the next three years.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eBundles\u003c\/em\u003e was the band’s first for Harvest. An accessible collection, \u003cem\u003eBundles\u003c\/em\u003e featured Holdsworth’s considerable guitar playing talents and opened a new chapter for the band, and attracted much praise upon release. By the time \u003cem\u003eSofts\u003c\/em\u003e was recorded, Allan Holdsworth had departed the group. The album also saw the final appearance on a Soft Machine album by Mike Ratledge whose synthesizer contributed to the pieces \"\u003cem\u003eBan-Ban Caliban\u003c\/em\u003e\" and \"\u003cem\u003eSong of Aeolus\u003c\/em\u003e\".\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eSoft Machine’s final album for Harvest was the classic 1978 live record \u003cem\u003eAlive and Well Recorded In Paris\u003c\/em\u003e. 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Then, the band immediately shifts gears into 'All White,' and they're off! the softs glide through, among other things, a shimmering duet of heavenly rhodes ('between'), funk ('gesolreut'), and a meanriff alternating in (seriously) 6\/4, 9\/8, 3\/4, 9\/8. the studio half, with each band member allotted one piece, also features some sadly overlooked material, like the ambient-fusion of karl jenkins' 'soft weed factor.' Soft Machine are an English rock and jazz band from Canterbury, named after the book The Soft Machine by William S. Burroughs. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eSix is the sixth studio (instrumental) album (half including live material) by the Canterbury associated band Soft Machine, originally released in 1973 as a double LP.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Talking Elephant","offers":[{"title":"CD","offer_id":50488588337483,"sku":"279874","price":14.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/39601396-b18e-46af-b435-7a85dcf0f5b2_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1727630332"},{"product_id":"live-at-the-baked-potato","title":"Live at the Baked Potato","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe follow-up to Soft Machine's highly acclaimed 2018 album\u003ci\u003e Hidden Details\u003c\/i\u003e, their first studio album in 37 years. In support of this, John Etheridge (electric guitar), Roy Babbington (bass guitar), John Marshall (drums) and Theo Travis (saxophones, flute, Fender Rhodes piano) toured the world during 2018 and 2019. This live album was recorded during this extensive tour, at the Baked Potato, Los Angeles, USA on 1st February 2019 and is released as a CD on Dyad Records. The material mixes tunes from the\u003ci\u003e Hidden Details\u003c\/i\u003e album, some older material (newly recorded by this line-up) and their trademark improvisations. The band, with a world tour under their belt and a partisan crowd urging them on, are absolutely at the top of their game - powerful, committed and idiosyncratic. A really exciting release.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Dyad","offers":[{"title":"CD","offer_id":50507267080523,"sku":"1093569","price":14.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/0129b54d-69f2-4d4c-9010-fd90ec6834f7_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1727845087"},{"product_id":"bundles-remastered-and-expanded","title":"Bundles - Remastered and Expanded","description":"\u003cp\u003eA remastered 2CD edition of the 1975 album \u003cem\u003eBundles\u003c\/em\u003e by the celebrated Jazz \/ Progressive group \u003cstrong\u003eSoft Machine\u003c\/strong\u003e. The album was the band’s first for EMI’s Harvest and featured a line-up of Mike Ratledge (keyboards), Karl Jenkins (oboe, piano, soprano sax), John Marshall (drums), Roy Babbington (bass) and Allan Holdsworth (guitar).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAn accessible collection, \u003cem\u003eBundles\u003c\/em\u003e showcased Holdsworth’s considerable guitar playing talents and opened a new chapter for the band. The album attracted much praise, especially the stunning five-part piece \"\u003cem\u003eHazard Profile\u003c\/em\u003e\". Following the release of \u003cem\u003eBundles\u003c\/em\u003e in March 1975, the band embarked on a busy touring schedule, but they soon faced the blow of Allan Holdsworth departing suddenly to join The New Tony Williams’ Lifetime.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eHoldsworth was replaced by John Etheridge, and \u003cstrong\u003eSoft Machine\u003c\/strong\u003e toured extensively for the remainder of 1975. A fabulous concert at Nottingham University on 11th October 1975 featured much of the material from the album, along with early renditions of some pieces that would be recorded for the band’s 1976 album \u003cem\u003eSofts\u003c\/em\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Esoteric Recordings","offers":[{"title":"CD","offer_id":50507515298123,"sku":"1156460","price":13.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/51287cff-d26f-4b8f-a0e7-3d6f1c76b419_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1727851355"},{"product_id":"softs","title":"Softs","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe album was \u003cem\u003eSofts\u003c\/em\u003e, the band’s second for EMI’s Harvest label and featured a line-up of \u003cstrong\u003eKarl Jenkins\u003c\/strong\u003e (Piano, Electric Piano, Synthesisers), \u003cstrong\u003eJohn Marshall\u003c\/strong\u003e (Drums), \u003cstrong\u003eRoy Babbington\u003c\/strong\u003e (Bass) and new members \u003cstrong\u003eJohn Etheridge\u003c\/strong\u003e (Guitar) and \u003cstrong\u003eAlan Wakeman\u003c\/strong\u003e (Tenor and Soprano saxophones).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAn accessible collection that followed the band’s first album for Harvest, \u003cem\u003eBundles\u003c\/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003eSofts\u003c\/em\u003e featured \u003cstrong\u003eJohn Etheridge\u003c\/strong\u003e's considerable guitar playing talents and would also be the final album to feature any contributions from keyboard player and founder member \u003cstrong\u003eMike Ratledge\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThis new vinyl edition of this classic album has been remastered and was cut at Abbey Road Studios. It fully restores the original LP artwork.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Esoteric Recordings","offers":[{"title":"Black LP","offer_id":50760270807371,"sku":"2230145","price":26.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/Softs_1879c414_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1730814626"},{"product_id":"live-in-europe-1970","title":"Live In Europe 1970","description":"\u003cp\u003eHere are two radio broadcast performances by Soft Machine recorded in Rotterdam and Paris in 1970\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Homespun","offers":[{"title":"CD","offer_id":50840277713227,"sku":"2228402","price":14.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/test_a427feff_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1731649612"},{"product_id":"paradiso-69","title":"Paradiso '69","description":"\u003cp\u003eA1\t\tHulloder\t0:24\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eA2\t\tDada Was Here\t8:21\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eA3\t\tThank You Pierrot Lunaire\t0:45\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eA4\t\tHave You Ever Bean Green?\t0:57\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eA5\t\tPataphysical Introduction Pt II\t1:00\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eA6\t\tAs Long As He Lies Perfectly Still\t1:55\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eA7\t\tFire Engine Passing With Bells Clanging\t2:17\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eA8\t\tHibou, Anemone And Bear\t4:17\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eB1\t\tFire Engine Passing With Bells Clanging (Reprise)\t3:26\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eB2\t\tPig\t4:21\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eB3\t\tOrange Skin Food\t0:25\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eB4\t\tA Door Opens And Closes\t1:18\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eB5\t\t10:30 Returns To The Bedroom\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Tonefloat","offers":[{"title":"Black LP","offer_id":51163404697931,"sku":"2239295","price":24.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/R-21102454-1638713418-7041.jpg?v=1753975704"},{"product_id":"thirteen","title":"Thirteen","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eThirteen\u003c\/em\u003e is the thirteenth studio album by classic British prog band Soft Machine. 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