Soft Machine was an English jazz-rock band that was active between the late 1960s and early 1980s. They were among the first rock acts to make use of asymmetric and compound meters. Due to numerous lineup changes, the first and final Soft Machine albums feature none of the same members. Nonetheless, the nameplate was passed […]
Gazeuse! is the seventh proper studio album by English/French jazz-rock combo Gong, released in 1976 on Virgin. The album is the band’s second release under the musical direction of drummer/malletist Pierre Moerlen, who assumed the reigns after the departure of founder Daevid Allen. In the U.S., the album was issued the following year with the […]
Individual Choice is the ninth Atlantic-era studio album by French/American violinist Jean-Luc Ponty, released in August 1983. The album marked a change for the composer/bandleader, who was now incorporating elements of electronic minimalism into his trademark jazz-rock sound. Tracklist: A1. “Computer Incantations for World Peace” (5:43) A2. “Far From the Beaten Paths” (6:02) A3. “In […]
One of a Kind is the second album by English jazz-rock quartet Bruford, released in 1979 on EG Records. Tracklist: A1. “Hell’s Bell’s” (3:32) A2. “One of a Kind, Part 1” (2:20) A3. “One of a Kind, Part 2” (4:00) A4. “Travels With Myself – and Someone Else” (6:12) A5. “Fainting in Coils” (6:23) B1. […]
Feels Good to Me is the debut album by English jazz-rock quartet Bruford, released in 1978 on EG Records. Tracklist: A1. “Beelzebub” (3:16) A2. “Back to the Beginning” (7:09) A3. “Seems Like a Lifetime Ago (Part One)” (2:30) A4. “Seems Like a Lifetime Ago (Part Two)” (4:25) A5. “Sample and Hold” (5:12) B1. “Feels Good […]
U.K. is the first of two albums by the namesake English symphonic/jazz-rock supergroup, released in 1978 on E’G/Polydor. Tracklist: A1. “In the Dead of Night” (5:38) A2. “By the Light of Day” (4:32) A3. “Presto Vivace and Reprise” (2:58) A4. “Thirty Years” (8:05) B1. “Alaska” (4:45) B2. “Time to Kill” (4:55) B3. “Nevermore” (8:09) B4. […]
Enigmatic Ocean is a symphonic/jazz-rock album by French violinist Jean-Luc Ponty, released in 1977 on Atlantic. The album features the twin guitar talents of English virtuoso Allan Holdsworth and American up-and-comer Daryl Stuermer. The two would respectively join ranks in the upcoming year with symphonic supergroups UK and Genesis. Tracklist: A1. “Overture” (0:47) A2. “The […]
U.K. was an English symphonic-rock supergroup that released a self-titled album on Polydor as a four-piece in 1978, followed by the album Danger Money under a revised trio lineup in 1979. The original quartet featured the established talents of bassist/vocalist John Wetton (Mogul Thrash, King Crimson, Uriah Heep), guitarist Allan Holdsworth (Tempest, Soft Machine), keyboardist/violist […]
Tempest was an English hard-rock supergroup on Bronze that released a self-titled album in 1973 with guitarist Allan Holdsworth, followed in 1974 by Living in Fear with Patto–Boxer guitarist Ollie Halsall. Drummer Jon Hiseman directed the band between his time in Colosseum and Colosseum II. Members: Allan Holdsworth (guitar, violin, vocals, 1972-73), Mark Clarke (bass, […]
Bruford was an English jazz-rock supergroup that released four albums on Polydor/EG between 1978 and 1980. The band was headed by ex-Yes drummer Bill Bruford and featured former Tempest/Soft Machine guitarist Allan Holdsworth and one-time Egg/Hatfield keyboardist Dave Stewart. The supergroup’s first album, Feels Good to Me, was recorded amid Bruford and Holdsworth’s involvement in […]
‘Igginbottom was an English jazz-rock band that released the album ‘Igginbottom’s Wrench on Deram in 1969. Guitarist Allan Holdsworth did subsequent stints in Tempest, Soft Machine, UK, and Bruford. Drummer Dave Freeman surfaced in symphonic-rockers First Aid. Members: Allan Holdsworth (guitar, vocals), Steve Robinson (guitar, vocals), Mick Skelly (bass), Dave Freeman (drums) ‘Igginbottom formed in […]
Allan Holdsworth (Aug. 6, 1946 — April 16, 2017) was an English guitarist from Bradford, West Yorkshire, who emerged in the jazz-psych band ‘Igginbottom in the late 1960s. During the 1970s, his profile rose with stints in Nucleus, Tempest, Gong, Soft Machine, UK, and Bruford. As a solo artist, he released the album Velvet Darkness […]
