SIX/SEVEN

This compilation is actually (as the name most obviously suggests) two albums (Six and Seven.surprise, surprise) put together. I will give a short overview of these together but will hopefully write a review of each album sometime later this year.

Six and Seven continue on from what Five started, which is a return to more jazz oriented music. Six is the last Soft Machine album bassist Hugh Hopper is featured on and he is replaced by Roy Babbington on Seven. It is not the first Soft Machine album Roy is featured on as he played double bass on Fourth and Five as a contribution to Hugh Hoppers bass playing. The only original member left on Seven is Mike Ratledge. The band does a great job of keeping the jazz feel but has moved away from the distinct Canterbury sound found on albums featuring Robert Wyatt. This is an instrumental album.

It is worth buying if you are considering buying these two albums and find this for cheaper (it probably will be as I have usually found two albums-in-one release to be cheaper than the two albums separately) and it has a good overview of Soft Machine's history in the 7 page booklet and is very well written but not necessary. The albums are good and if you like Five you are sure to like these two and only one purchase is necessary (or if like me you got this for free from a friend - thanks James!) for both these albums. 4/5 stars.