ABRACADABRA

I did expect a bit of a Soft Machine nostalgia or even a continuation of the loose ends from Soft Machine on this album. The members here have all played a vital part in Soft Machine. If any doubts, I am referring to Allan Holdsworth, Elton Dean, Hugh Hopper and John Marshall. But Soft Works was either brave or commercially foolish at this album, the one and only Soft Works album. This album is not a Soft Machine spin off. It is a pure jazz album.

Elton Dean dominates this album with his sax and saxello. I don't think Allan Holdsworth has been given that much space, though. But he is still very much present here. Hugh Hopper is thundering away on his bass as per usual. John Marshall is playing much softer and more jazzy with wisps instead of drumsticks on this album. His playing is very soft here. That gives this album it's distinctive jazz feel.

There is no major flaws on this album. The music is good throughout. I am a jazz newbie and I bought this album because of the Soft Machine connections. I am not disappointed though because this is a very fine album. Two of the members (Hopper and Dean) here are dead now and this is therefore the only Soft Works studio album out there unless somebody finds some studio outtakes tapes and release it. It is a good testament to a band who did it their way......... with style. Respect !

3 stars

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