When attempting to assess the individual and collective effort that was Matching Mole, you realize what a long shadow Soft Machine cast upon them.  The natural first question to ask is ”how important were they?” quickly followed by “compared to what?”  Compared to Soft Machine at their prime? Compared to their peer Soft Machine of 1972? Compared to other progressive music of their day: Coliseum, IF, King Crimson, or other Canterbury bands? In 1972 Soft Machine isn’t really Soft Machine anymore; their slide has begun. Caravan exists, Pink Floyd exists, as does Egg. Henry Cow has just begun, with Hatfield …  [ read more ]