Soft Machine - Thirteen - New CD
Format: New CD Label: DYAD Cat. No. DY034 Barcode: 5052442030270 Released: 13/03/2026
Whilst the line-up of Soft Machine may have changed many times since the heady
days of the late 1960s, the band's spirit of musical adventure, and the ease with which
it freely avoids being pigeonholed has stayed a constant - as it moves from powerful
progressive jazz rock to atmospheric psychedelia to free improvised jazz to ambient
loop music.
'Thirteen' features legendary guitarist John Etheridge , who has been with the band
over 50 years and is once again in superb form. Whilst all four members of the band
contribute compositions, the album's main composer is saxophonist, fautist and
keyboard player Theo Travis, who wrote six of the album's thirteen tracks. The newest
member of the group is drummer and composer Asaf Sirkis.
The album is incredibly broad in its breadth and scope. Tracks include "Open Road" a
rocky track which sees the band soaring on all burners with fery solos by both
Etheridge and Travis; the ballad "Disappear", which starts with ethereal looped futes
and develops into a beautiful piano led and drum less miniature. "Turmoil", penned by
bassist Fred Thelonious Baker, brims with deranged fuzz bass, manic solos and an
almost unhinged clamour. "Daevid's Special Cuppa" sees a cameo by founder member
Daevid Allen (his guitar part being recorded years earlier, and the track built around it).
On 'Thirteen' Soft Machine has never sounded more adventurous.
days of the late 1960s, the band's spirit of musical adventure, and the ease with which
it freely avoids being pigeonholed has stayed a constant - as it moves from powerful
progressive jazz rock to atmospheric psychedelia to free improvised jazz to ambient
loop music.
'Thirteen' features legendary guitarist John Etheridge , who has been with the band
over 50 years and is once again in superb form. Whilst all four members of the band
contribute compositions, the album's main composer is saxophonist, fautist and
keyboard player Theo Travis, who wrote six of the album's thirteen tracks. The newest
member of the group is drummer and composer Asaf Sirkis.
The album is incredibly broad in its breadth and scope. Tracks include "Open Road" a
rocky track which sees the band soaring on all burners with fery solos by both
Etheridge and Travis; the ballad "Disappear", which starts with ethereal looped futes
and develops into a beautiful piano led and drum less miniature. "Turmoil", penned by
bassist Fred Thelonious Baker, brims with deranged fuzz bass, manic solos and an
almost unhinged clamour. "Daevid's Special Cuppa" sees a cameo by founder member
Daevid Allen (his guitar part being recorded years earlier, and the track built around it).
On 'Thirteen' Soft Machine has never sounded more adventurous.