SOFT MACHINE - Six (1973-1992) FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

The Soft Machine were many things to many people, but to most, the real Soft Machine ceased to exist when founder Robert Wyatt left to work on his conspicuously titled Matching Mole project. This departure is generally credited to the Soft Machine's creative advance away from prog rock and toward jazz fusion. Three years and three records after Wyatt's departure, this creative motion was in full sail, and the release of Six cemented the band in their distant station beyond the gravity of anything that resembled rock and its spacious, cutting-edge sonics and more symmetrical rhythms. The jazz era that began on Fourth and continued through the '70s mutates slightly on Six, from the free improvisational structures used frequently on prior releases into a somewhat more constrained fusion design. This is due largely to new member Karl Jenkins, who makes a mighty impact on the Soft Machine's sound with his sax playing and songwriting -- and who later took creative control over the group, bringing in several guitarists to solidify a fusion sound. Half live and half studio album, Six will never interest classic-era stalwarts, but Jenkins and drummer John Marshall lead old-timers Mike Ratledge and Hugh Hopper through some nifty fusion exercises that fans of the genre (and obscure '70s music of every kind) might find very enjoyable. by Jason Anderson  

Tracklist:
1    Fanfare 0:42   
Karl Jenkins
2    All White 4:48
Mike Ratledge
3    Between 2:24   
Karl Jenkins / Mike Ratledge
4    Riff 4:33   
Karl Jenkins
5    37 1/2 6:53
Mike Ratledge
6    Gesolreut 6:16   
Mike Ratledge
7    E.P.V. 2:47   
Karl Jenkins
8    Lefty 5:01   
Hugh Hopper / Karl Jenkins / John Marshall / Mike Ratledge
9    Stumble 1:36       
Karl Jenkins
10    5 from 13 (For Phil Seamen with Love & Thanks) 5:14   
Jack Marshall
11    Riff II 1:28   
Karl Jenkins
12    The Soft Weed Factor 11:19   
Karl Jenkins
13    Stanley Stamps Gibbon Album 6:00       
Jack Marshall / Mike Ratledge
14    Chloe and the Pirates 9:32       
Mike Ratledge
15    1983 7:55       
Hugh Hopper
Credits:
Bass Guitar – Hugh Hopper
Drums, Percussion – John Marshall
Oboe, Baritone Saxophone, Soprano Saxophone, Electric Piano, Grand Piano, Celesta [Celeste] – Karl Jenkins
Organ, Electric Piano, Grand Piano, Celesta [Celeste] – Mike Ratledge
Producer – Soft Machine