NOISETTE

Another great Soft Machine's live archival recordings, released by Cuneiform in 2000.This album is really more interesting between many others band's archival recordings because all material there comes from the same live session (January 4th, 1970) live part of band's best ever album "Third" was recorded.

Band plays in quite rare line-up (as quintet) there with two reeds players (Elton Dean and Lyn Dobson) besides of classic trio of Wyatt/Ratledge/Hopper.Musical material recorded mostly comes from band's early psychedelic albums,but it's reworked on the new jazz fusion manner. Some compositions, unused on any albums ("Third" live recordings outtakes) are included as well.

By its atmosphere music is quite unique there - being jazz fusion,it contains huge doze of band's early psychedelic sound. The only other source you can hear Soft Machine,sounding like that is "Facelift" composition from "Third", coming from same recording session. If you like it - take this album, you will hear more than a hour of similar music.

From negative side only very average sound quality should be noticed ( everyone knows same problem exists with any release of "Third" though). Musical material is a bit bulky and unfocused, what is not strange again - outtakes and unused recordings are presented there.

In all, this album is one between most important and valuable archival releases from Soft Machine's "classic period". Still BBC recordings from late 60-s/early 70-s ("The Peel Sessions" or one of BBC live recordings)are better choice.

My rating is 3,5 rounded to 4.