For those unaware, this studio album recorded in London in June of 2002, and released in 2003 (Universal Japan; Mascot-Provogue Europe; Shrapnel USA), is finally back to the motherboard and available on MoonJune Records.

Remastered by Mark Wingfield and including two bonus tracks, recorded in Tokyo, Japan, on August 10th, 2003, the live album Abracadabra in Osaka is from the concert on August 11th, 2003.

Soft Machine were an English rock band from Canterbury, Kent. The band were formed in 1966 by Mike Ratledge, Robert Wyatt, Kevin Ayers, Daevid Allen and Larry Nowlin. Soft Machine were central in the Canterbury scene; they became one of the first British psychedelic acts and later moved into progressive and jazz rock.

1. Seven Formerly (remastered 24/48) [10:20]
2. First Trane (remastered 24/48) [11:34]
3. Elsewhere (remastered 24/48) [8:00]
4. K Licks (remastered 24/48) [6:49]
5. Baker’s Treat (remastered 24/48) [5:39]
6. Willie’s Knee (remastered 24/48) [5:17]
7. Madame Vintage (remastered 24/48) [4:53]
8. Abracadabra (remastered 24/48) [7:34]
9. Has Riff - Live In Tokyo (bonus track 24/48) [9:22]
10. Facelift - Live In Tokyo (bonus track 24/48) [9:35]

Recorded in Tokyo, Japan, on August 10th, 2003, this masterful flashback recording opens on the dreamy Seven Formerly and then we get the flirtatiously playful First Trane, the spatially ethereal Elsewhere and both the organically soulful K Licks and the late night, low slung ambiance of Baker’s Treat.

Along next is the frenetically charged Willie’s Knee which is itself backed seamlessly by the guitar masterclass that is shown within Madame Vintage, the velvet gossamer of the titular Abracadabra, the set now closing out on two live in Tokyo tracks: the rhythmically fortified Has Riff and the melodiously-sculpted Facelift.

Musicians:
ELTON DEAN - saxello, alto sax, Fender Rhodes
ALLAN HOLDSWORTH - guitar, Synthaxe (1)
HUGH HOPPER - bass guitar
JOHN MARSHALL - drums

Official Purchase Link

www.softmachine.org