"Hidden Details" is the eleventh studio album by the jazz rock band Soft Machine, released in September 2018. The album marks the band's return after a significant gap since their previous studio release. It features a mix of new compositions and improvisations, reflecting the band's long-standing reputation for blending jazz and rock elements.
"Hidden Details" is the first studio album released under the Soft Machine name since Land of Cockayne in 1981. After a six-night residency at Ronnie Scott's club in 1984, the band was inactive until 2015. Although Soft Machine was not active as a band during this period, several members continued under the name "Soft Machine Legacy" from 2004 until 2015, when they dropped the "Legacy" to reactivate the Soft Machine name after 31 years.
The album was recorded by the same lineup that released Burden of Proof in 2013. This lineup included drummer John Marshall, who had been with Soft Machine since 1972, and guitarist John Etheridge, who was part of the band from 1975 to 1978 and rejoined for the 1984 shows. Also included was bassist Roy Babbington, who was with the band from 1973 to 1976. Completing the lineup was Theo Travis, who contributed on keyboards and saxophone.
