Slightly All The Time : Recordings 1970-1974

"Slightly All The Time : Recordings 1970-1974" is a 17 disc box set presenting the most influential period in Soft Machine story across 14 remastered, from the original ¼” tapes, CD's and 3 BluRays.

Centred around the band's 5 CBS albums, "Slightly All The Time" includes an entirely different and previously unreleased set of recordings of the "Fifth" album. It also contains all of the band's extant BBC sessions, the complete performances for the 1st time, and a significant amount of previously unavailable audio visual full concert recordings from European performances.

Packaged in a sturdy 12”x12” slipcase, with a hardback book featuring many rare photographs and extensive notes by Sid Smith.

One of the most influential progressive rock bands of the late 60's and early 70's, Soft Machine’s initial line-up was Robert Wyatt (drums, vocals), Kevin Ayers (bass, guitar, vocals), Daevid Allen (guitar) and Mike Ratledge (organ). They emerged from the UK underground in 1967, featuring prominently at epoch making London venues such as the UFO Club and Middle Earth to establish a powerful reputation over the next decade with a series of accomplished albums and some innovative concert performances, most notably in the UK and France, and with a support slot on the Jimi Hendrix Experience US tours throughout 1968.

After 2 albums for ABC and Probe Records, "The Soft Machine" and "Volume Two", they signed to CBS/Columbia Records with a line up consisting of Wyatt, Ratledge, saxophonist Elton Dean and bassist Hugh Hopper, releasing their most successful long player, "Third", in 1970. This was followed by 4 more albums during a period of significant acclaim across Europe, and a frequently evolving line up.

Esoteric Recordings and Sony Music, October 30th, 2026.