Other Doors

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Cat No: DY032

Release Date: 30 June 2023

Label: Dyad Records

Packaging Type: Digipak

No of Units: 1

Barcode: 5052442023258

Genres: Jazz Progressive Rock

Description
'Other Doors' is Soft Machine's first studio album since 2018's 'Hidden Details' and marks a new chapter in the history of the legendary prog/jazz/fusion band - both an ending and a beginning - for this unique group that has now been in existence for 55 years.

This studio album sees the final studio appearance of drum legend John Marshall, who played his heart out on this album and since completing the recording and aged 81 has decided to retire because of ongoing health issues. The album also sees the introduction of bass player Fred Baker to the band following the retirement of Roy Babbington, who has played with the group since 1970.

The album features much great new music and inspired playing, as well as the reimagining of two Soft Machine classics - "Penny Hitch" (from 'Seven') and "Joy of a Toy" (from the first album). Atmospheric improvisations, psychedelic free jazz, burning jazz rock, screaming guitar, hypnotic looped alto flutes, fretless bass grooves, powerful drums and experimental electronic music... Soft Machine continues to pursue its musically ambitious, wide ranging, jazz based music without boundaries. To create the most ambitious and adventurous heartfelt music the band can imagine.

The band is lead by John Etheridge from the celebrated '70s version of the legendary group, which recorded the acclaimed 'Softs' album in 1975, and co lead by outstanding sax/flute star Theo Travis
(Robert Fripp/David Gilmour/Steven Wilson). Since 2021 Roy Babbington retired from public performance and his chosen successor on the bass is Fred Thelonious Baker, who has been a musician on the Canterbury scene for over 30 years - being a regular collaborator with the late Elton Dean, with Hugh Hopper and with guitarist Phil Miller.

John Etheridge: guitars

Theo Travis: saxophones, flutes, Fender Rhodes, piano, electronics

Fred Thelonious Baker: fretless bass guitar

John Marshall: drums and percussion

Special guest: Roy Babbington: (additional) bass guitar on tracks 2 & 9

Press:

" 'Crooked Usage' is the jazziest thing here - it's as poignant as a Thelonious Monk ballad and proves as tentative and mind blowing as Monk at his most compelling. Etheridge on 'Whisper Back' delivers poignancy by the kleenex box load on 'The Stars Apart'. For bass riffery head to 'Now! Is The Tine' but 'Back in Season' sums up the passing of time best of all and the august floating sense of the spheres this lovable record evokes." - **** Marlbank

"Other Doors does a fine job of balancing the past with the present, and also what's to come...Travis' intuitive sense of purpose works well within the framework of this incarnation in which the fluidity of the interplay between himself and the great John Etheridge is breathtaking at times." - Prog

"Despite being around for 55 years now, the band still press forward, constantly seeking new frontiers to explore, and this album is accomplished and impressive while still retaining the defining essence and heady mix of influences and styles that is quintessentially Soft Machine." - The Afterword

"Time catches up with all of us, and Marshall and Babbington leave the band with an album that will delight Soft Machine fans. What's also clear is that with Travis and Etheridge at the helm, the future of Soft Machine is in good hands." - Jazz Views

"The result is a lush widescreen and instrumental adventure bathed in spacious, sonic light. Whether you're a longtime fan of Soft Machine or you're just discovering them for the first time, you're sure to be impressed by the sheer musicianship and live ensemble feel on display. In short, Soft Machine is a band that's still going strong and are totally relevant, judge for yourself." - Blues & Soul
Tracklisting