To the delight of progressive-rock and jazz-fusion fans, guitarist Allan Holdsworth (pictured), saxophonist/keyboardist Elton Dean, bassist Hugh Hopper and drummer John Marshall-all onetime members of the Soft Machine-have formed Software, a new band that will record as well as tour. This will be the first time all four musicians work together. As their name suggests, the quartet will use some of the Soft Machine’s compositions and themes as jumping off points for musical exploration, but they’ll be no cover band. Software intends to write original music and will focus on sounds and textures of the here and now.
In June the group will meet in London to record an album for Universal Japan that will be released in September. A U.S. release will likely occur at the same time, but no label has been named yet. A tour through Asia will follow the album’s release and the group plans to tour Europe, North America and South America in 2003.
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