Soft Machine - The Dutch Lesson (2023)
WEB FLAC (tracks, digital booklet) - 572 MB | MP3 CBR 320 kbps - 245 MB
1:42:18 | Jazz-Rock, Fusion, Prog Rock | Label: Cuneiform Records
The Dutch Lesson Review by Thom Jurek
Cuneiform continues its excavation of Soft Machine's history with The Dutch Lesson, a 1973 small theater gig from Rotterdam. Previously, only one concert recording from 1973 existed (apart from dodgy bootlegs), NDR Jazz Workshop, which took place in Hamburg in May. Bassist Roy Babbington had joined the band to replace Hugh Hopper after Six. Though he appears on the Hamburg recording, it's clear that bandmates John Marshall (drums), Karl Jenkins (reeds, electric piano), and Mike Ratledge (piano, organ) hadn't solidified around him yet. The Dutch Lesson, recorded in October, followed their defining performances at several major European music festivals. The two-set show offers no early material; its contents include most of Six and early versions of "Down the Road" and "Hazard Profile."