Fifth (the title is Fifth while the front cover shows the number 5), is the fifth studio album by the jazz rock band Soft Machine, released in 1972. In the US the album was identified on cover and label by number (5).
Contents
Overview
Fifth was the first Soft Machine album recorded after the departure of original drummer Robert Wyatt and continued the band's progression away from their original blend of psychedelic and progressive rock towards jazz fusion. Wyatt's replacement was Phil Howard, who contributed to the 1971 sessions that comprise side one, after which he left and was replaced by John Marshall for the 1972 sessions that comprise side two. Future member Roy Babbington worked on the album as a session musician, playing double bass on all the tracks on side two.
The title "Pigling Bland" is taken from The Tale of Pigling Bland (1913), a children’s story by Beatrix Potter.
Track listing
Personnel
Soft Machine
Side one:
Elton Dean – alto saxophone, saxello; Fender Rhodes electric piano (2)
Mike Ratledge – Fender Rhodes electric piano, Lowrey organ
Hugh Hopper – bass guitar
Phil Howard – drums
Side two:
Elton Dean – alto saxophone, saxello
Mike Ratledge – Fender Rhodes electric piano, Lowrey organ
Hugh Hopper – bass guitar
John Marshall – drums
Additional musician
Roy Babbington – double bass (Side two)