Fifth (Soft Machine album)


Fifth, is the fifth studio album by the jazz rock band Soft Machine, released in 1972.

Overview

Fifth was the first Soft Machine album recorded after the departure of founding member Robert Wyatt and continued the band's progression away from their original blend of psychedelic and progressive rock towards jazz fusion. Wyatt's replacement was Phil Howard who contributed to the 1971 sessions that comprise side one, after which he left and was replaced by John Marshall for the 1972 recordings that make up side two. Future member Roy Babbington played double bass on side two, as a session musician. Unlike the previous two albums, Elton Dean's saxophone is not augmented by a brass and reeds section composed of session musicians.

Track listing

Side one

  1. "All White" – 6:06
  2. "Drop" – 7:42
  3. "M C" – 4:57

    Side two

  4. "As If" – 8:02
  5. "L B O" – 1:54
  6. "Pigling Bland" – 4:24
  7. "Bone" – 3:29

    2007 CD reissue bonus track

  8. "All White" - 7:14

    Personnel

;Future Soft Machine personnel