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Soft Head — Rogue Element
(Ogun OGCD 013 B, 1978/1996, CD)

by Jeff Melton, Published 1997-05-01

Rogue Element Cover art

More of the Soft Machine family tree keeps meandering down the analog highway onto digital. Soft Head, the second album actually by Soft Heap (replacing the P (Pip Pyle) with D (Dave Sheen)) is similar in continuity and feel to their first studio outing. But since it this a live recording, the spontaneity of the live ensemble is more prevalent and perhaps even more fluid. A wonderful surprise exists with the two new bonus tracks previously unavailable on the original Ogun LP. Almost 20 more minutes of spirited  playing, consistent with rest of the tracks. Spotlight again is on keyboardist Alan Gowen, whose use of electirc piano and synth figuratively shrouds the ensemble as the backdrop tone over which the players paint colorfully. Elton Dean's alto is strong and vibrant on his composition, "Seven for Lee." On his moody piece, "Ranova," he serves a sense of melancholy and despair which continues to typify his current work with Phil Miller. The second track, Hugh Hopper's "Seven Drones" (originally recorded for the Cruel But Fair project) starts out  with Gowen conducting the chaos. With a cascade of electric piano notes he passes into a strong melodic theme where the complete quartet interacts before descending back into an ending musical melee — much better than the original recording in my opinion. Gowen's songs "Remain So," "C You Again," and "CRRC" are carefully characterized by polite synth playing in parallel with reeds and pulsing counterpoint bass. Dave Sheen's drumming approach is more pulse and less precise than Pyle's but works for this project.

Filed under: Reissues, Issue 12, 1996 releases, 1978 recordings

Related artist(s): Elton Dean, Hugh Hopper, Soft Heap / Soft Head, Alan Gowen

More info
http://softheadogun.bandcamp.com/album/rogue-element

 

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