Soft Machine – Softs VG+/VG

Soft Machine’s Softs marks a late‑period shift toward a smoother, jazz‑fusion sound, showcasing the band’s adaptability after numerous lineup changes. Released in 1976, it blends intricate rhythmic interplay with a more polished, melodic approach, driven by Karl Jenkins’ compositional direction and John Etheridge’s fluid guitar work. The album feels lighter and more spacious than their earlier, more abrasive excursions, with woodwinds, electric piano, and percussion weaving together in tightly arranged yet relaxed patterns. Tracks move between brisk, technically sharp passages and gentler, reflective moods, giving the record a balanced, quietly sophisticated character. While far removed from the psychedelic experimentalism of their early years, Softs demonstrates the group’s continued commitment to exploration—leaning into jazz textures, ensemble precision, and a refined sense of groove that highlights their evolution within the broader Canterbury scene.