Soft Machine - Fifth (1972)

Tracklist

01 - All white
02 - Drop
03 - M C
04 - As if
05 - L B O
06 - Pigling bland
07 - Bone
08 - All White [Take Two] [Bonus]

personnel :

Elton Dean - alto saxophone, saxello, electric piano
Mike Ratledge - electric piano, organ
Hugh Hopper - bass
Roy Babbington - acoustic bass
Phil Howard - drums
John Marshall - drums

FIVE was the first album Soft Machine made after the departure of Robert Wyatt. Since the previous album (FOUR), Wyatt was no longer writing any of Soft Machine's material. Wyatt went on to found Matching Mole while his former band continued in the direction they'd already charted. Seven of these pieces were written primarily by keyboardist Mike Ratledge, with saxophonist Elton Dean, new drummer John Marshall, and original bassist Hugh Hopper contributing one each. The music is rich with experimentation. On "Drop" the sound of dripping water--beautifully spread across the stereo panorama--tangos with an electric piano before the rest of the ensemble comes in. Hopper's "M C" sets an airy mood not unlike that of the first Weather Report album. "Pigling Bland" presents Ratledge's subtle union of melody and inventively architectural rhythm.