Cuneiform's list of stellar Soft Machine archival releases grew longer in February 2015 with this CD/DVD set documenting the group's appearance at the storied Montreux Jazz Festival on July 4, 1974. Switzerland 1974 captures the Softs taking a huge leap into electric guitar-augmented jazz-rock thanks to formidable axeman Allan Holdsworth's addition to the lineup of keyboardist/reedman Karl Jenkins, drummer John Marshall, bassist Roy Babbington, and keyboardist (and only original bandmember) Mike Ratledge…
Reissue with the latest DSD remastering. One of the last sessions Oliver Nelson ever recorded – a genius batch of work recorded for the Japanese East Wind label, and maybe one of his greatest albums ever! The set's a wonderful link between the sophisticated large group sounds that Nelson did for Impulse Records in the 60s, and some of the more expansive styles he was trying out on the Flying Dutchman imprint in the 70s – a batch of work that both has that sense of majesty that Nelson could command at his best, but which still retains an earthy vibe overall.