"Fifth" is the fifth studio album by the jazz-rock band Soft Machine, released in 1972. The album is distinctively identified by its title, "Fifth," while the front cover prominently displays the number 5, a visual play on its sequential position in the band's discography.
In the United States, the album was marketed and identified solely by the number "5" on both the cover and label, emphasizing its ordinal place among the band's releases. This approach added a straightforward and numerical aesthetic to the album's presentation, aligning with the band's experimental and progressive musical style.
"Fifth" continues Soft Machine's tradition of blending jazz, rock, and avant-garde influences, featuring complex compositions and instrumental prowess characteristic of the band. It remains a notable entry in their catalog, appreciated for its innovative approach and enduring influence on the jazz-rock genre.
