THE SOFT MACHINE

As we come closer to a special date for me, I have decided to start my reviewing process for "Soft Machine". Each of these reviews is dedicated to Antoine of course. Je pense souvent à toi; mon ami.

I was never really into this band in the early seventies; their name was not very well spread around here (Belgium) in those heydays of prog music. Since I was born in 1959, I was more tempted with Led Zep, TYA, Santana, Purple, Sabbath, Floyd and the likes.

What I can say about this release is that it is deeply psychedelic ("Hope For Happiness", "Save Yourself" and the excellent "Why Are We Sleeping") with a jazzy touch for the second one. In terms of music, this lineup was extremely skilled and the proposal here was quite daring for the time (remember that it was released in 68).

I believe that I can better appreciate this album by now that I could have done, let's say in '73 when I really embraced the prog genre with Tull, Yes, Genesis & VDGG.

This is of course not an album for everyone but it is of vital importance for the prog scene. As such it deserves to raise your interest and even, if like me, you are not much attracted by the Canterbury style you will be rewarded while listening to this debut.

Even if some songs sounds a bit dated like "Lullabye Letter" which still features some great organ work and if the riff of "You Did It Again" is borrowed to "You Really Got Me" this album is rather good.

Four stars.

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