Soft Machine Legacy- Steam
(Moonjune Records MJR016)
From Aural Innovations #38 (Jan 2008)
It is really great to hear and see these guys continuing on to make music
after Elton Dean passed on. This is the 1st release with Theo Travis and features
more improvisation then the previous 3 albums with Elton Dean (1 studio, and
2 live albums, of which one is also on DVD, always with Elton). Lots of interesting
sound loops are used to fill in the spaces and create places for the band to
jam. The opening track, a Hugh Hooper composition features a long solo by Travis
and it is not until the middle of the track (nearly 9min) that the others kick
in and John plays a solo and Hugh is in and out accenting the music rather than
driving the rhythm, which is all John Marshall. The Steamer is the shortest
track on the CD at only 4½ minutes and penned by Theo Travis, thus he
is featured in this sort of funky melodic track, although there is some guitar
and sax exchange at the end. The Big Man begins with some ominous bass playing
and Theo plays some really cool stuff. John is also laying down a cool guitar
line. Heavy and Dark number. Chloe and the Pirates sees the band exploring loops
in this more laid back composition by Mike Ratkledge and was on the 6th Soft
Machine album. In the Back Room brings back a bit of a funky feel and John plays
some great lead guitar. Theo comes in later and the track changes to quite a
happy mood. The Last Day starts off with everyone experimenting and finding
their place and Theo switching over to the flute. This one is quite psychedelic
and one of my favourites on the CD. Firefly continues the flute use by Theo
but this track features some great drumming. So English is one of the coolest
band improves with really cool bass and effects. The CD ends with Anything to
Anywhere, another Theo Travis track. One fo the few tracks to feature multilayers
of sax. This track is also a like real jazz rock fusion track and a great way
to end a brilliant CD.
Check out the record label web site at: http://www.moonjune.com
Reviewed by Scott Heller