Album: The Soft Machine, Volume Two (Polydor)

1969. Standing like afractured doubled-sidedmirror in between thepsychedelia of The SoftMachine and the crankyjazz-fusion of Third wasthis, the Canterburygroup's second album,one of those "transitional"moments thatmake life so pleasantlybendy.

Kevin Ayers hadbeen replaced by bassistHugh Hopper, who joinedMike Ratledge and RobertWyatt in a weird squelchof cheap electronica,funny time signatures andAlfred Jarry. Of interest toanyone who has enjoyedthe weird squelch ofWyatt's solo career.