Craftsman's Legacy

The band name says it all. Three members of this quartet worked at different times in the original Soft Machine (John Etheridge, Hugh Hopper, John Marshall) whilst the fourth (Theo Travis) has assumed the mantle once taken by the late and lamented musician, Elton Dean. They've come up with a program of music that pulls off the not inconsiderable feat of acknowledging the legacy at the same time as it forges ahead in new and distinct ways. The world would be a far more interesting place if more musicians operated on a similar level. Overall this a vibrant, adventurous fusion and free form jazz outing; it stands up well to the band's illustrious history and ought to be on any Soft fan's collection.

Soft Machine Legacy is made up of former Soft Machine members and the lineup here boasts Hugh Hopper, Elton Dean, John Marshall and John Etheridge. Sadly it was less than 2 months after this concert that Elton Dean passed away, and so it's stated in the liner notes that this album is in memory and a tribute to this legendary performer. The concert here was performed at a club in Paris called "New Morning" and this is a club famous for it's Jazz concerts and also a favourite place for Elton and Hugh to play at.

This is the project of Frank US inspired by the passing of some great musicians from the 70's Prog rock scene (Emerson, Squire, Lake, etc.) His music is a tribute to the symphonic prog rock of the '70s with some ballad type of songs and some sophisticated songs structures taking us back to this era but with some clean modern production.
With "Aviation", Legacy Pilots now release their second album. Frank Us has again gathered illustrious top musicians around him: Marco Minnemann, Todd Sucherman, Pete Trewavas, John Mitchell, Finally George, Jake Livgren and as guests Steve Morse and Jordan Rudess are a remarkable line-up…

A powerful rock-edged collaboration from Elton Dean, John Etheridge, Hugh Hopper and John Marshall, four legendary members of jazz-rock pioneers Soft Machine. This album itself is a mixed bag. There are two tracks that sound a bit too much like studio improvisations. There are a couple in conventional head-solo-tail jazz constructions. There is a Softs medley, Mike Ratledge's "Facelift," "As If" & "Slightly All The Time" (titled "Ratlift"). There is a ten-minute Hopper epic with typically Hopperean twists and turns.

In February, 2014, Robert Maloschik decided to recreate "Devil's Masquerade" (1971), the only official album release of the legendary group Syrius, to be recorded and re-arranged and conceived for jazz by a band formed of five young Hungarian jazz musicans, the Syrius Legacy, who are the best and most demanded players on their respective instruments of their age. 18 months and 15 performances later, in early September 2015. their debut album, titled "The Devil's Masquerade Reloaded" was finished. The strong cohesion of the group derives from their admiration of the old Syrius themes, their respect for Mihaly Raduly and the constant support from Mr. Maloschik.

This is the project of Frank US inspired by the passing of some great musicians from the 70's Prog rock scene (Emerson, Squire, Lake, etc.) His music is a tribute to the symphonic prog rock of the '70s with some ballad type of songs and some sophisticated songs structures taking us back to this era but with some clean modern production.

Esoteric Antenna are pleased to announce the release of the album by Soft Machine Legacy, "Burden Of Proof". This wonderful new studio album was recorded in Italy in the closing months of 2012 and features John Etheridge (Electric Guitar), Theo Travis (Tenor Sax, Flute, Fender Rhodes), Roy Babbington (Bass Guitar) and John Marshall (Drums and Percussion). Following in the fine tradition of Soft Machine, "Burden of Proof” is arguably Soft Machine Legacy’s finest album to date, featuring a host of outstanding new compositions, along with a new recording and arrangement of Hugh Hopper’s ‘Kings and Queens’ (originally featured on Soft Machine Fourth). The excellence of "Burden of Proof” rests with Soft Machine Legacy.