THE SOFT MACHINE COLLECTION [ALSO RELEASED AS: VOLUMES ONE AND TWO]

I have to admit that I prefer Soft machine's later, instumental albums, but for 1968 and 1969, when these two albums were originally released, they were great albums. The two albums are filled with early Canterbury jazz fusion explorations, quirky vocals, and off-time explorations.

I've always found "Volume One" to be good. Soft Machine was definitely breaking new ground in their music, creating the foundation for the entire Canterbury crowd, but the recording is a bit rough, and there are some moments that just don't click with me.

"Volume Two" however features more soloing, and shows the band pushing more toward the Canterbury fusion niche that would soon inhabit, and rule over for years.

Between the two albums, I must give them 4 stars.