"Bundles" is the eighth studio album by the jazz rock band Soft Machine, released in 1975. This album marked a significant shift in the band's musical direction, with fusion and jazz influences becoming more pronounced. The album title 'Bundles' is derived from 'bundles of axons', linking to the band's interest in science and technology.
"Bundles" is noteworthy for being the first Soft Machine album to feature guitarist Allan Holdsworth, whose pioneering work on the electric guitar significantly contributed to the band's shift towards a more fusion-oriented sound. The album consists of compositions that are heavily oriented towards jazz and instrumental improvisation, with each of the band members contributing to the writing.
"Bundles" consists of 11 tracks and was recorded at CBS Studios, London. It features the band’s longest-standing members: Mike Ratledge on keyboards, and John Marshall on drums. The other band members for this album were Allan Holdsworth on guitar, and Roy Babbington on bass. Each of these members brought their own unique style and background to the music, leading to a unique sound that distinguishes the album in the Soft Machine discography.
The album received mixed reviews upon its release, with some critics praising it for the band's experimentation and successful fusion of jazz and rock elements, while others felt that it lacked the progressive rock elements that characterized the band's earlier works. Despite these criticisms, "Bundles" is often hailed as a key album in the evolution of jazz-rock, and it remains a notable entry in the Soft Machine discography.
