THE SOFT MACHINE

Soft Machine was the very beginning of the progressive rock style, with a jazzy approach, like all the Canterbury bands. This album is unforgettable. I should say also, that my rate is 4,5 stars really, I hesitated between 4 and 5 and decided 5 because this album like the 2 and 3 of this very same group are all masterpieces. Robert Wyatt is an amazing drummer here and sings with grace and strangeness alike. His drumming is awesome, providing all kinds of backgrounds for the improvisations of both Ratledge on distorted organ or Hopper's distorted bass. Hope for Happiness exsudes with hope and light, and there's still space for Joy of a Toy which takes us to the realms of jazz fusion that was yet to be invented. Why Am I So Short? is beautiful, the melody is intricate, and when the band finally takes off, we are left with So Boot If At All, an improvising game of organ, drums and bass. I can't think of any band, apart from the Mothers of Invention perhaps, that can take us to such extreme and contraditory heights. A Certain Kind is a ballad that could have been composed by Procol Harum. Nice singing and unforgettable melody and harmony. Save Yourself maintains the happy tone of the record. Priscilla takes us to the realms of jazz organ ambience, with great drumming, the accent on 4th beat of the bar reminds us of Art Blakey and his drive. Lullabye Letter is a jazzy rock, with great bass and organ, boiling and cooking. We Did it Again is by far the low point of the record, the one that makes it 4 and a half stars instead of 5. Tries to bring some irony to the music through the use of repetition, but doesn't reach it. Why Are We Sleeping? has a beautiful singing and programmed chorus of women(?). This takes us to Box 25/4 Lid, the ending of the record. A melody in unisone by piano and organ. So, in conclusion, I'd say that, apart from We Did it Again and the way it is recorded, sometimes the vocal work doesn't match the reverberation of the band, this is a masterpiece to anyone who likes progrock. 4,5 stars!