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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).

Fifth
original issue design
Studio album by Soft Machine
Released	July 1972
Recorded	Nov–Dec 1971 and Jan–Feb 1972 at Advision Studios, London
Genre	Jazz[1] free jazz
Length	36:34
Label	CBS (UK), Columbia (USA)
Producer	Soft Machine
Soft Machine chronology
Fourth (1971) Fifth (1972) Six (1973)
Alternative cover

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic	[1]

Overview

Fifth was the first Soft Machine album recorded after the departure of founding member 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 recordings that make up side two. Future member Roy Babbington played double bass on side two, as a session musician. Unlike the previous two albums, Elton Dean's saxophone is not augmented by a brass and reeds section composed of session musicians.

Track listing

Side one

1. "All White" (Mike Ratledge) – 6:06
2. "Drop" (Ratledge) – 7:42
3. "M C" (Hugh Hopper) – 4:57

Side two

1. "As If" (Ratledge) – 8:02
2. "L B O" (John Marshall) – 1:54
3. "Pigling Bland" (Ratledge) – 4:24
4. "Bone" (Elton Dean) – 3:29

2007 CD reissue bonus track

1. "All White" (take two) - 7:14

Personnel

• 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 (1-3)
• John Marshall – drums (4-7)
• Roy Babbington – double bass (4-7)

References

External links

• Soft Machine - Fifth (1972) album review by Wilson Neate, credits & releases at AllMusic
• Soft Machine - Fifth (1972) album releases & credits at Discogs
• Soft Machine - Fifth (1972) album credits & user reviews at ProgArchives.com
• Soft Machine - Fifth (1972) album to be listened on Spotify
• Soft Machine - Fifth (1972) album to be listened on YouTube

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