John Etheridge

As a celestial phenomenon neighboring the musical big bang of the Sixties, The Soft Machine Legacy echoes the melodious growl of an era when rock'n'roll, blues, jazz, jazz-rock, funk, soul, pop were, as yet, nothing more than a magma of sounds challenging the musicians' ability to shape the course of music to come. In those days, Soft Machine symbolized the uncompromising dialog between those rock and jazz musicians who were determined to create a synthesis of the untamed energy of rock and the improvisational thrust of jazz. Forty years later, The Soft Machine Legacy musicians have not forsaken their dreams. Immune to the leveling pressures of show biz, Hugh Hopper, John Marshall, John Etheridge and Elton Dean -who passed away shortly after this last reunion at the New Morning - still mesmerize their fans. Whether the cheeks be rosy, or the heads speckled with grey freedom is ageless. Recorded live at the New Morning, Paris on December 12th, 2005 by New Morning Vision.

These are the great ones that have shaped rock music. Twelve very different guitarists, each of whom have special skills and a unique playing technique are displaying the best of their ability here. This breathtaking collection comprises the entire spectrum of styles and paying techniques, offered by the most important rock guitarists. Starting with blues rock by Jack Bruse and Paul Kossof, the heavy metal sound of Tony Iommi or Mick Box up to the fabulous technical skills of Ritchie Blackmore and Jan Akkermans it is shown what matters with a true guitarist.