Soft Machine

Originally a psychedelic rock band, Soft Machine were arguably the most influential group to emerge from the birth of progressive rock and British jazz-rock fusion. They were the seed of the Canterbury scene's family tree that also included Caravan, Gong, Hatfield and the North, and National Health. Further, the band launched the distinguished pop music careers of founding members Robert Wyatt and Kevin Ayers, and the jazz and jazz-rock explorations of saxophonist Elton Dean and bassist Hugh Hopper. The sound from their self-titled trio debut in 1968 -- after which Ayers left ...