SEVEN

A dramtic change of pace and move but Seven is another fine effort from the Canterbury oddballs and one of the most refreshing of the Karl Jenkins led Softs. At first though. First listen to the album was misleading, fast paced opener "Nettle Bed" completely threw me of, nut in many respects I may have been expecting another Third or Fourth perhaps, but after a few plays I warmed to the album and it does have its moments and a good blend of instrumentation and mood. Seven comes across as very atmospheric and soothing. Some parts of the album even sound a bit like Krautrock in its electronica like passages. As I have only heard bits and pieces of that genre I am only guessing, seen a lot of Kraut porn though... The songs are more complete and concise than on previous Soft Machine albums and Seven has got a good jazzy like vibe to it with subtle hints of laid back rock, and unlike other Soft Machine efforts it's consistent, all the titles flow in and out of each other seamlessly and create a good blend. The last great Soft Machine album? The last to bear any genuine resemblance to one at least. Good effort.