Land of Cockayne is the tenth studio album by the jazz rock band Soft Machine, released in 1981. The title refers to the medieval land of plenty. It would be the last album released under the Soft Machine name until Hidden Details in 2018.
Overview
In 1979, Karl Jenkins, who had been a member of Soft Machine from May 1972 to the band's split in December 1978, was among a number of top session musicians put together for an ad hoc band called Rollercoaster, recording a Stevie Wonder tribute album called Wonderin' (1980). After that album was completed, a number of the Rollarcoaster musicians decided to record another album together, this time under the Soft Machine name. Some of the musicians involved in the project would be part of Soft Machine's next live line-up, which played a six-night residency at Ronnie Scott's in 1984.
Track listing
All compositions by Karl Jenkins.
Side one
"Over 'n' Above" – 7:24
"Lotus Groves" – 4:57
"Isle of the Blessed" – 1:56
"Panoramania" – 7:07
"Behind the Crystal Curtain" – 0:53
Side two
"Palace of Glass" – 3:22
"Hot-Biscuit Slim" – 7:27
"(Black) Velvet Mountain" – 5:10
"Sly Monkey" – 5:00
"A Lot of What You Fancy..." – 0:35
Personnel
Soft Machine
Karl Jenkins – piano, Minimoog, Yamaha CS-80, Synclavier, arranger, conductor
John Marshall – drums, percussion
Allan Holdsworth – lead guitar
Ray Warleigh – alto saxophone, bass flute
Jack Bruce – bass
Dick Morrissey – tenor saxophone
Alan Parker – rhythm guitar
John Taylor – electric piano
Additional personnel
Stu Calver – vocals, backing vocals
John Perry – vocals, backing vocals
Tony Rivers – vocals, backing vocals
Mike Thorne – production
Bill Harman – orchestra leader
Roy Ellsworth – artwork
References
External links
Soft Machine - Land of Cockayne (1981) album rating, user reviews, credits & releases at AllMusic Soft Machine - Land of Cockayne (1981) album releases & credits at Discogs Soft Machine - Land of Cockayne (1981) album to be listened on Spotify Soft Machine - Land of Cockayne (1981) album to be listened on YouTube