As if they never left, Soft Machine sounds so confident and powerful on their first studio album since 1981. For many, this British band ceased to exist much earlier. After all, in the 1960s they were (along with ) at the forefront of psychedelic rock. During the 1970s all original members left and it grew into a solid jazz rock and fusion band with highlights such as (1973) and (1976). Now they
… pick up the thread almost literally again, with three members from that post-period in the ranks (drummer , bassist and guitarist ) supplemented by reed player / flutist ( , ). It is special to hear how, despite all those staff changes, there has always been only one Soft Machine, as makers of typical British jazz rock with prog influences. On Hidden Details, the mighty and timeless Soft Machine simply sounds like itself. (MR)more
