Soft Machine – Other Doors (Moonjune, 2023)
Soft Machine returns after five years with Other Doors. This release features a combination of fresh compositions and selections from their extensive historical catalog, presenting the band’s familiar high-energy style crossover sound that combines progressive jazz with rock elements.
In the lineup for Other Doors, we find John Etheridge on guitars, Theo Travis on saxes, flutes, Fender Rhodes piano, and electronics; Fred Thelonious Baker on fretless bass; and John Marshall on drums. Notably, former bassist Roy Babbington, who retired from the band in 2021, makes two guest appearances on the album.
Recorded during July and August 2022 at Temple Music Studios, a facility with sentimental significance for the band, the album benefits from the expertise of engineer Ru Lemer and the meticulous mixing and mastering skills of Andrew Tulloch. This combination ensures that Other Doors captures the spontaneity of a live style recording while delivering excellent sonic quality.
The album features intricate compositions that frequently lead to spirited improvisations. Although Theo Travis is known as a saxophonist, I truly enjoy his mesmerizing electric piano work during the down tempo parts. Travis embodies the spirit of spontaneous improvisations, where musicians respond in the moment, without a predetermined plan. John Etheridge also stands out, providing superb, multifaceted guitar work.
Continuing their tradition, Soft Machine revisit and reinterpret some of their classic numbers from their extensive back catalog. On Other Doors, they pay tribute to their debut album from 1968, including Kevin Ayers’ “Joy Of A Toy.” The album also features “Penny Hitch” from 1973’s Soft Machine Seven, with Fred Baker and Roy Babbington collaborating on bass arrangements.
While Other Doors introduces Fred Baker to the group, it also marks the retirement of drummer John Marshall, who has decided to step down at the age of 81 after a distinguished career with the band. His exceptional drumming is a notable aspect of the album and will be missed.
Buy Other Doors.