Soft Machine-Seven (1973)

By the time Soft Machine released their seventh album, keyboardist Mike Ratledge was the only remaining member of the original lineup, with the rest of the band comprised of former members of Nucleus: Karl Jenkins (saxophone, electric piano, and flute), John Marshall (drums), and Roy Babbington (bass). Although Soft Machine were always known for their diverse output, they all shared a deep-rooted psychedelic and Dadaist influence and an avant-garde jazz fusion sound. However, with this new release, the band's style began to show dramatic shifts in rhythm and musical direction. "Seven" features a more organic jazz sound, and while there aren't any standout tracks, the entire album flows seamlessly, as if it were a single piece. The opening track, "Nettle Bed", hints at their early Canterbury sound, but this beginning is merely a mirage of what's to come, showcasing a perfectly executed atmospheric jazz fusion. Tracks like the pleasant and floating "Carol Ann", "Day's Eye", "Snodland" or "The German Lesson", make it one of their most competent transitional albums.