FOURTH

'Fourth' by Soft Machine was released in February of 1971 and came after a triplet of ground-breaking yet cerebrally different and compelling albums that are still considered to be among progressive and/or psychedelic rock's finest. Whether it be for the whimsical and lighthearted psych-pop adventures of the well-known Volumes 1 & 2, or for the menacing avant-garde masterpiece that is the monolithic 'Third' album, one could not neglect these very fine first three albums, as they showcase how the band could easily morph into different musical entities, every time to great results. And moving on with their development, progressing even further into the domain of the technically absurd and suspenseful jazz wizardry, completely embracing their role of avant-garde fusion explorers, Soft Machine had to overcome inner-band turmoil to come out of it with a flamboyant piece of electric angular jazz.

The combined effort of Mike Ratledge, mostly responsible for the album's sonic direction, together with Hugh Hopper, Elton Dean and Robert Wyatt, have given birth to one of the most compelling and anxious Canterbury scene albums, often approaching relentless free jazz, yet always displaying an impressive control over the compositions' development. Complex, chaotic, and feverishly attempting to establish Soft Machine as a forerunner in jazz rock, 'Fourth' is basically made up of four tracks, each one of which is a highlight of its own. The enticing 'Teeth' or the gargantuan second-side four-part suite 'Virtually', the album is a fascinating piece of progressive music history and one of the most musically anxious and exciting episodes in the development of Soft Machine, a legendary band.