Soft Machine-Fifth (1972)

Pioneers of the experimental and psychedelic jazz of the Canterbury movement, Soft Machine remained at the forefront of the genre for several years, far ahead of their contemporaries, thus avoiding falling into typical stereotypes. In 1972, the band released their fifth album, which would be the last in which they experimented with free jazz and also the last to feature one of their most important members, Elton Dean. In this release, Soft Machine's style delves deeper into the essence of classic jazz-rock. The best representation of this orientation is embodied by a series of jazzy pieces with a clear rock accent, such as "All White", "Drop", and "As If". However, the band leaves brief glimpses of their more recent past with the improvised "LBO" and the haunting "Pigling Bland" and "Bone". From here on, bassist Hugh Hopper and organist Mike Ratledge would keep Soft Machine afloat, creating major works such as "Six" and "Seven" (1973), "Bundles" (1975) and "Softs" (1976).