Another instalment in the ongoing Soft Machine (Legacy) saga. As with the original band this Legacy band has changed half it's members already but unfortunately in this case because Elton Dean and Hugh Hopper have sadly died. The replacement of Hoper with Roy Babington was the obvious choice; he was the only other former Soft Machine bass player who could possibly be considered. Theo Travis, although never a Soft Machinist himself has enough of a pedigree in the continuing Caterbury Scene to justify his membership; he has already proved himself on
Steam. John Marshell's drumming is really top notch, as ever, an John Etheridge has proved, what many people who only knew his Soft Machine work from the original versions of
Softs and
Alive And Well Recorded In Paris did not realise, that he is a rather excellent guitarist.
This is not just a rehashing of old Soft Machine numbers to cash in on the fond memories of old fans, although it does also perform that function, this is a genuine musical journey and the interpretations of the tunes adds something worth having. If you get the chance to see them live then grab it whilst you can!