NDR JAZZ WORKSHOP, GERMANY, MAY 17, 1973

One more very interesting release from the vaults. Soft Machine with only original member keyboardist Mike Ratledge , without sax genius Elton Dean and even bassist Hugh Hopper, but under control of Karl Jenkins.

This concert was recorded soon after "Six" album was released, and the material played is mostly coming from it, but the line-up is the same that will record "Seven" soon. Band plays characteristic for them at that time sophisticated jazz fusion with some improvs, but big part of material is pre-composed yet, and almost 80 minutes long concert is not a free-form improvs fiesta.

Obviously not a star line-up, without Elton Dean sax or Holdsworth's guitar soloing, all the show goes as quite well balanced demonstration of all team's musical abilities without explosions or great soloing. Surprisingly, long musical release doesn't sound boring or repetitive, and shows strong sides of even such more "transitional" Soft Machine's line-up.

Far from their best excellent works, this album is still great listening, especially for Soft Machine fans.

My rating is 3,5, rounded to 4.