Tag Archives: Karl Jenkins

Soft Machine: Land Of Cockayne

Leave a comment

In March 1981, “EMI” label released “Land of Cockayne”, the tenth Soft Machine studio album. It was recorded June – July 1980, at “Pye Studios” and “Riverside Studios” in London, and was produced by Mike Thorne.

Personnel:

  • Karl Jenkins – piano, Minimoog, Yamaha CS-80, Synclavier, arrangements, conductor
  • Allan Holdsworth – lead guitar
  • Alan Parker – rhythm guitar
  • John Taylor – electric piano
  • Jack Bruce – bass
  • John Marshall – drums, percussion
  • Ray Warleigh – alto saxophone, bass flute
  • Dick Morrissey – tenor saxophone
  • Stu Calver – vocals, backing vocals
  • John Perry – vocals, backing vocals
  • Tony Rivers – vocals, backing vocals
  • Bill Harman – orchestra leader
  • Roy Ellsworth – artwork

Track listing:

All tracks by Karl Jenkins.

  1. Over ‘n’ Above
  2. Lotus Groves
  3. Isle of the Blessed
  4. Panoramania
  5. Behind the Crystal Curtain
  6. Palace of Glass
  7. Hot-Biscuit Slim
  8. (Black) Velvet Mountain
  9. Sly Monkey
  10. A Lot of What You Fancy…

Mike Ratledge

Leave a comment

On February 5, 2025, Michael Roland Ratledge died aged 81. He was musician (keyboards, flute), member of the Daevid Allen Trio, but was best known as founding member of Soft Machine. Regarded as one of the most influential members of the Canterbury scene, he recorded with Daevid Allen Trio, Kevin Ayers, Daevid Allen, Syd Barrett, David Bedford, Wilde Flowers, Planet Earth, Rubber, Rollercoaster, Karl Jenkins.

John McKenzie

1 Comment

On May 10, 2020, John Michael McKenzie died aged 64. He was musician (bass, guitar, backing vocals), member of the bands Global Village Trucking Company and Man. He recorded and performed with Eurythmics, The Pretenders, Alison Moyet, Lionel Richie, Dr. John, the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Annette Peacock, Steve Hillage, Noel McCalla, Bob Young, Shusha Guppy, Wham!, Deke Leonard, Morrissey-Mullen, Claire Hamill, Space Monkey, Jim Diamond, Bob Dylan, Al Corley, Jeffrey Lee Pierce, Microdisney, Five Star, Endgames, John Mizarolli, Gary Moore, Ian Paice, Jaki Graham, Don Airey, Richard Bailey, Peter Auty, Billy Bremner, Terry Stannard, Simon Kirke, Earl Slick, Graham Lyle, Chris Thompson, Patti Austin, Latin Quarter, Phil Manzanera, Matt Bianco, Pete Brown, Helen Watson, Kevin Rowland, Shakira, David Bowie, Tina Turner, Eric Burdon, Kajagoogoo, Johnny Mathis, Everything But The Girl, Todd Sharpville, Branford Marsalis, Rui Veloso, Tim Finn, Ive Mendes, Tom Scott, David Dundas, Danny Tenaglia, The Christians, Phenix Horns, Duran Duran’s Andy Taylor, Jimmy Iovine, Dave Stewart, Wild, Leon Ware, Eternal, James Ingram, Francis Rossi, Karl Jenkins, Albert Lee, Barbara Dickson, Davy Spillane, Charles Aznavour, Raw Stylus, Linda Taylor, Blair Cunningham, Andy Newmark, Teresa Teng, Annabel Lamb, Nadirah X, Bob Clearmountain, Mitchell Froom, Arthur Louis, and Reggae Philharmonic Orchestra.

Soft Machine: Bundles

Leave a comment

On March 22, 1975, “Harvest” label released “Bundles”, the eighth Soft Machine  album. It was recorded in July 1974 at “CBS Whitfield St Studios” in London, and was produced by Roy Babbington, Allan Holdsworth, Karl Jenkins, John Marshall and Mike Ratledge.

Personnel:

  • Allan Holdsworth– acoustic, 12-string and electric guitars
  • Roy Babbington– bass guitar
  • Karl Jenkins– oboe, piano, electric piano, soprano saxophone
  • John Marshall– drums, percussion
  • Mike Ratledge– Lowrey Holiday Deluxe organ, Fender Rhodes electric piano, AKS synthesizer
  • Ray Warleigh– alto and bass flute

Track listing

All tracks by Karl Jenkins except where noted.

  1. Hazard Profile Part One
  2. Hazard Profile Part Two (Toccatina)
  3. Hazard Profile Part Three
  4. Hazard Profile Part Four
  5. Hazard Profile Part Five
  6. Gone Sailing – Allan Holdsworth
  7. Bundles
  8. Land of the Bag Snake – Allan Holdsworth
  9. The Man Who Waved at Trains – Mike Ratledge
  10. Peff – Mike Ratledge
  11. Four Gongs Two Drums – John Marshall
  12. The Floating World

Elton John: Tumbleweed Connection

Leave a comment

On October 30, 1970, “DJM” label released “Tumbleweed Connection”, the third Elton John studio album. It was recorded March 1970, at “Trident Studios” in London, and was produced by Gus Dudgeon.

Personnel:

  • Elton John – lead and backing vocals, piano, Hammond organ
  • Caleb Quaye– lead guitar, acoustic and electric guitar
  • Les Thatcher – acoustic guitar, twelve-string acoustic guitar
  • Lesley Duncan – acoustic guitar, backing vocals
  • Mike Egan – acoustic guitar
  • Gordon Huntley – steel guitar
  • Brian Dee– Hammond organ
  • Ian Duck – harmonica
  • Herbie Flowers, Dave Glover, Chris Laurence – bass guitar
  • Dee Murray– bass guitar, backing vocals
  • Nigel Olsson – drums, backing vocals
  • Roger Pope – drums, percussion
  • Barry Morgan– drums
  • Robin Jones – congas, tambourine
  • Karl Jenkins– oboe
  • Johnny Van Derek – violin
  • Skaila Kanga– harp
  • Madeline Bell, Tony Burrows, Kay Garner, Tony Hazzard, Tammi Hunt, Dusty Springfield, Heather Wheatman, Yvonne Wheatman – backing vocals
  • Paul Buckmaster– arrangement, conductor, orchestration
  • Robin Geoffrey Cable – engineer
  • Gus Skinas – editing
  • David Larkham – art direction, design, artwork, photography
  • Barry Wentzell, Ian Digby-Ovens – photography
  • John Tobler– liner notes

Track listing:

All tracks by Elton John and Bernie Taupin, except where noted.

  1. Ballad of a Well-Known Gun
  2. Come Down in Time
  3. Country Comfort
  4. Son of Your Father
  5. My Father’s Gun
  6. Where to Now St. Peter?
  7. Love Song – Lesley Duncan
  8. Amoreena
  9. Talking Old Soldiers
  10. Burn Down the Mission

Soft Machine: Softs

Leave a comment

In June 1976, “Harvest” label released “Softs”, the ninth Soft Machine studio album. It was recorded January – March 1976, at at “Abbey Road Studios” in London, and was produced by Roy Babbington, John Etheridge, John Marshall, Alan Wakeman and Karl Jenkins.

Personnel:

  • John Etheridge– acoustic and electric guitars
  • Alan Wakeman– soprano and tenor saxophones
  • Karl Jenkins– piano, electric piano, pianette, string and Mini-Moog synthesizers, orchestrations
  • Mike Ratledge– synthesizer
  • Roy Babbington– bass guitar
  • John Marshall– drums, percussion

Track listing:

All tracks by Karl Jenkins except where noted.

  1. Aubade
  2. The Tale ofTaliesin
  3. Ban-BanCaliban
  4. Song ofAeolus
  5. Out of Season
  6. Second Bundle
  7. Kayoo – John Marshall
  8. The Camden Tandem – John Etheridge, John Marshall
  9. Nexus
  10. One Over the Eight – Karl Jenkins, John Marshall, John Etheridge,Alan Wakeman, Roy Babbington
  11. Etika – John Etheridge