Canterbury Scene pioneers Soft Machine have released “Open Road,” the first single from their forthcoming studio album “Thirteen,” marking the band’s thirteenth official long‑player. The track was shared today across the band’s official channels ahead of the album’s scheduled release in March 2026.
Stream “Open Road” via the YouTube player below:
The thirteenth studio album by Soft Machine features guitarist John Etheridge (50 years in the band), Theo Travis, Fred Baker and new drummer Asaf Sirkis.
Special guests on the album include organist Pete Whittaker (Double Talk) on two tracks and Daevid Allen (Gong) on glissando guitar on one track. Daevid Allen was a founding member of the band, but has not appeared on a Soft Machine recording for sixty years.
Recorded in 2025, the material embraces atmospheric improvisations, Psychedelic Free Jazz, powerful Jazz Rock, and hypnotic looped alto flutes. Adventurous and heartfelt music.
With cover image by artist Esra Kizir Gokcen and design by Carl Glover.
Double vinyl edition with an extra side of exclusive bonus material.
Pre-Order “Thirteen” here: Vinyl Version | CD Version
Side 1
1 Lemon Poem Song (3.27)
2 Open Road (7.30)
3 Seven Hours (5.12)
4 Waltz for Robert(4.19)
Side 2
1 The Longest Night (13.08)
2 Disappear (3.55)
3 Green Books (5.46)
Side 3
1 Beledo Balado (4.32)
2 Pens To The Foal Mode (2.42)
3 Time Station (2.46)
4 Which Bridge Did You Cross (2.49)
5 Turmoil (5.30)
6 Daevid’s Special Cuppa (3.10)
Side 4
Bonus Tracks
1 Carol Ann (3.32)
2 Curious Dust (5.07)
3 Tarn Hows (2.35)
4 Seven Hours (Alt take) (4.43)
5 We Thought It Was Tuesday (4.26)
Lineup:
John Etheridge / Guitar
Theo Travis / Tenor sax, Mellotron
Fred Baker / Bass
Asaf Sirkis / Drums
Guest:
Pete Whittaker / Fender Rhodes and Hammond Organ