HEAP

Underneath the name on the album cover are the words Morning Machine And Soft Musume, so it is no surprise that this album is very, very much influenced by Soft Machine. They are a trio comprising Mikio FUKUSHIMA (Guitars), Norifumi UCHIDA (Bass) and Morihide SAWADA (Drums), but with lots of guests to keep the brass wailing and swirling. I like Soft Machine and tried really hard to get on with this one, but found that in many places although the guys at the front are trying to drive the music along, those at the back are so laid back that they are almost asleep, taking the audience with them. This is an album definitely only those into improvisational jazz. That they can all play is never in doubt. Whether anyone wants to listen to it is another matter altogether.?

Originally appeared in Feedback #78, April 2004