Matching Mole - Smoke Signals (1972/2011)

Active from 1971 to 1973
Upon leaving SOFT MACHINE in 1971 after their "Fourth" album, Robert WYATT decided to form a new band which he named MATCHING MOLE (from the French translation of SOFT MACHINE). He recruited Dave Sinclair of CARAVAN to play keybaords along with guitarist Phil Miller (ex-DELIVERY) and QUIET SUN bassist Bill MacCormick. They made two albums both released in 1972, a self-titled and "Little Red Record", the latter featuring Dave MacRae on keys in place of Sinclair. Phil Miller soon left to join HATFIELD AND THE NORTH, and Wyatt was planning on recording a third album in 1973, but due to his unfortunate accident this never came to pass, leaving the band permanently disbanded. The two records, however, are outstanding examples of what was great about much of the Canterbury scene of the time - superb, challenging musicianship coupled with a quirky sense of humor - and in the case of MATCHING MOLE's second record, a bit of political commentary as well.
Highly recommeneded obviously for fans of SOFT MACHINE and Wyatt's solo work, as well as other Canterbury scene artists.