Light and Shade
There are moments on Thirteen by Soft Machine that are very accessible… and others that move into more avant-garde territory.
Take “Seven Hours” — this leans into that more abstract jazz space. If you’re already comfortable with jazz fusion, you’ll settle into it. If you’re new to this world… this might be one of the more challenging listens.
And that’s the beauty of this album—it doesn’t stay in one place.
Because immediately after, you get “Warsaw”, which brings you back with:
- A stunning flute solo
- A warm, expressive bass performance
- Gentle, almost pastoral guitar textures
It’s like stepping from complexity into clarity.
The Centrepiece – “The Longest Night”
At 13 minutes, this is the heart of the album.
It begins as late-night jazz—perfect “glass of red wine” music—but then it evolves:
- Hammond organ textures give it that classic 70s prog feel
- It genuinely reminded me of Camel at times
- Then it shifts… speeds up… becomes more intense
At one point, it even brushes up against Jethro Tull territory, especially with the interplay of flute and rock dynamics.
And then… it resolves beautifully, with flute and sax almost conversing with each other.
This track alone is worth the price of entry.
Texture, Atmosphere and Improvisation
Across the rest of the album, there’s a real sense of exploration:
- “Disappear” – layered flutes and distant guitar textures
- “Green Books” – a swinging sax groove meets heavier guitar
- “Boddo Baddo” – late-night jazz guitar with hints of Pat Metheny
- “Time Station” – rhythmic experimentation with a nod to classic jazz forms
Then you get pieces like “Turmoil”, where everything becomes more intense, almost chaotic… but deliberately so.
This is music that demands attention.
A Beautiful Closing Statement
The album (on CD/digital) closes with “David’s Special Cuppa”, featuring Daevid Allen.
This is something else entirely:
- Eastern-influenced
- Meditative
- Almost timeless
It feels like a moment of reflection after everything that’s come before… and honestly, it could have gone on much longer.
Vinyl Bonus Tracks – Worth Exploring
If you pick up the vinyl, you get a whole extra side of material:
- “Carolan” – lone sax over late-night textures
- “Curious Dust” – more experimental, free-form jazz
- “Tarno” – solo guitar in that Metheny/Lee Ritenour space
- Alternate take of “Seven Hours” – slightly darker, more atmospheric
- “We Thought It Was Tuesday” – arguably the most rock track here
These bonus tracks feel like extensions of the album’s personality—more sketches, more ideas, more exploration.
Reviewing instrumental albums is always a challenge… but hopefully this gives you a sense of what Thirteen is all about.
This is:
- A double album of depth and variety
- Rooted in jazz fusion, but never limited by it
- Full of light and shade, accessibility and experimentation
And perhaps most importantly…
It proves that Soft Machine in 2026 are still pushing forward.
ORDER SOFT MACHINE THIRTEEN HERE ON VINYL
