Fifth (Soft Machine album)

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Fifth
Soft Machine - 5.png
Studio album by
ReleasedJuly 1972
RecordedNov–Dec 1971 and Jan–Feb 1972 at Advision Studios, London
Genre
Length36:34
Label CBS (UK), Columbia (USA)
Producer Soft Machine
Soft Machine chronology
Fourth
(1971)
Fifth
(1972)
Six
(1973)
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [1]

Fifth (the title is Fifth while the front cover shows the number 5), is the fifth studio album by the jazz rock band Soft Machine, released in 1972. In the US the album was identified on cover and label by number (5).

Contents

Overview

Fifth was the first Soft Machine album recorded after the departure of original drummer Robert Wyatt and continued the band's progression away from their original blend of psychedelic and progressive rock towards jazz fusion. Wyatt's replacement was Phil Howard, who contributed to the 1971 sessions that comprise side one, after which he left and was replaced by John Marshall for the 1972 sessions that comprise side two. Future member Roy Babbington worked on the album as a session musician, playing double bass on all the tracks on side two.

Track listing

Side One
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."All White" Mike Ratledge 6:06
2."Drop"Ratledge7:42
3."M C" Hugh Hopper 4:57
Total length:18:45
Side two
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
4."As If"Ratledge8:02
5."L B O" John Marshall 1:54
6."Pigling Bland"Ratledge4:24
7."Bone" Elton Dean 3:29
Total length:17:49 36:34

2007 CD reissue bonus track

No.TitleLength
8."All White (Take Two)"7:14

Personnel

Soft Machine

Side one:

Side two:

Additional musician

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References

  1. 1 2 Neate, Wilson. "Soft Machine - Fifth (1972) album review, credits & releases | AllMusic". allmusic.com. Retrieved 25 July 2011.