SOFT HEAP

Short-lived Canterbury scene supergroup, founded by ex-Soft Machine sax player Elton Dean after he left SM (he had few more short-lived projects in between). Other members all are Canterbury scene great musicians: Hugh Hopper (Soft Machine) , Pip Pyle and Alan Gowan (Hatfield and The North both).

And if still in similar key with jazz-rock period Soft Machine, this album is more Elton Dean - project. His sax is main instrument, even if all musicians are excellent and total musicianship is great. The music, comparing with Soft Machine's is more jazz, than slightly psychedelic jazz-rock. Some compositions are almost pure sax-led jazz, with vintage (read-bop) influences. Much more melancholic and even romantic..

Unhappily, this album is the only studio work of great project. You will like it more if you like jazzy roots in Canterbury sound, those more in rock side could be a bit disappointed. But in whole - must have album for every Canterbury sound fan. Three and half for sure.