VOLUME TWO

Soft Machine Vol. II -- the quintessential Canterbury Rock album, slightly edging those laudable works such as Caravan's "In the Land of Grey and Pink" and Hatfield's "Rotter's Club". Though only clocking in at a paltry thirty-three minutes, this album packs a punch, with a dizzying seventeen songs. Released in 1968, Vol. II is slightly less poppy and more complex than its predecessor, and frankly former bassist Kevin Ayers is not missed.

The album shifts effortlessly (and rather quickly) between fun, poppish numbers such as "Hulloder", "If He Lies Perfectly Still" and "Pig" and rather complex Jazz-rock (though not fusion) pieces, such as "Hibou Anemone and Bear" and the free-jazz of "Out of Tunes". The album is divided into two suites; Side A is penned mostly by bassist Hugh Hopper and arranged by Robert Wyatt. Side B is pure Ratledge (the organist). Side B is much more jazz oriented and abstract, which is surprising given Hopper's later work. The poppier Side A is much better, though both are incredible. Wyatt, while grating at times, especially later in his career, is flawless here -- his breathy, slightly high pitched, careless delivery dovetails perfectly with the whimsical music. (This album also signals the first time The Soft Machine used a horn section, to great effect.)

This album is the apex of the Soft Machine's varied and illustrious career, a perfect and mellow blend of Jazz, Psychedelia, Pop and Rock. Not to be missed. (Don't let the low-fi recording turn you off).