Soft Machine – Fourth

Soft Machine's Fourth was the last album to feature Robert Wyatt on drums and was the album that saw them begin their swerve into the jazz fusion that they would fully explore over the next few albums.

This was the group's first all-instrumental album, although their previous album, Third, had almost completed the band's move in this direction toward instrumental jazz, with a complete abandonment of their original self-presentation as a psychedelic pop group, or progressive rock group

Jazz saxophonist Elton Dean had become a full time member and his influence alongside guest appearances from members of the UK jazz alumni including Nick Evans, alto flute/bass clarinet player Jimmy Hastings, Mark Charig on cornet and Alan Skidmore on tenor sax greatly influences the sound of this album.

However, hints of their experimental roots still lingered, with founding members Mike Ratledge and Hugh Hopper composing all but one of the tracks, Hopper's contribution being Virtually Pts 1-4, which takes up all of side two.

Consequentially, this is an interesting transitional record, not as eccentric as their first three records, but not as fully jazz oriented as their following albums. Its a record that takes several listens to reveal itself but the effort is well rewarded.

Exclusively remastered 180 gram audiophile vinyl pressing.

Tracklist:
A1 Teeth 9:12
A2 Kings And Queens 5:00
A3 Fletcher's Blemish 4:34
B1 Virtually Part 1 5:17
B2 Virtually Part 2 7:06
B3 Virtually Part 3 4:31
B4 Virtually Part 4 3:20