Soft Machine

Featuring ex 'Softs' members John Etheridge, Roy Babbington, John Marshall plus Theo Travis 

Soft Machine the Legendary Jazz Rock pioneers turn full circle as the band known as the "Soft Machine Legacy" revert once again to the bands original distinctive name. Soft Machine were originally formed in 1966 by Kevin Ayers and Robert Wyatt. In the bands 13 year history the group featured some of the finest players on the European circuit including Allan Holdsworth, Elton Dean, Daevid Allen and of course Mike Ratledge.

When one time Soft Machine members John Etheridge, Elton Dean, Hugh Hopper and John Marshall got together in 2004 the decision was made to name the band "Soft Machine Legacy"
"Soft Machine Legacy" was launched in Turkey in Oct, 2004. The intriguing line-up of Elton Dean, Hugh Hopper, John Etheridge and John Marshall was a coalition of 4 long-time servers in different eras of the legendary group Soft Machine, but who had not played before as a unit. With the enthusiastic management of MoonJune in New York - the band quickly established a recording an touring schedule in Europe playing a repertoire of new originals and some vintage pieces. Highlights including appearances at the Umbria Jazz Festival and Leverkusen Jazz Festival (televised).

In 2006 came the sad death of Elton Dean, whose place was taken by young blood Theo Travis, who has a continuing association with Gong and was thus perfectly sympathetic to the music.

After a long illness Hugh Hopper sadly passed away in 2008. A decision was taken to continue with Roy Babbington - thus reuniting 3/5ths of the 1975-77 line up that recorded the acclaimed "Softs" album. (special thanks to Fred Baker who deputised when Hugh was ill). 

This is The Soft Machine Legacy as it appears now, having completed a month long tour of Europe in Oct 2009, from which ' Live Adventures ' has been recorded. 2010 will also see the reissue of the Soft Machine albums on EMI, Harvest-Bundles, Softs, Alive and Well. Land of Cockayne Since 2010 the band has recorded an acclaimed album ‘Burden of Proof '(2013) and continued to tour widely often with the legendary Keith Tippett . "Burden of Proof is, to put it mildly, absolutely exquisite. These are four musicians who are masters of their craft, and truly at the top of their game, not only as soloists but as contributors in an actual band. They've put together here a collection of songs that basically has something for everyone; challenging jazz-fusion, adventurous prog-rock, bits of chaotic free-jazz, atmospheric instrumental pop-jazz, and even a little hard rock. Extraordinary!" 

In 2016 the band felt comfortable reverting to their original "Soft Machine" name – no other changes other than to the name – the music is still a blistering form of Jazz/Rock played by four great musicians – a show not to be missed