A reference in the triumphal years of English Progressive rock, a typical group from the Canterbury School vaporous organ sounds, warmful and pleasant vocal parts, long instrumental flights (Guitar, keyboards, violin, etc.) with an inspiration taking its roots from classical music through jazz. Typical Richard SINCLAIR's voice, elaborated keyboards, Geoff RICHARDSON's violin give their music a style and a certain originality. With SOFT MACHINE, one of the most important English group. "An Evening Of Magic" is a live CD from 1993, which shows the band playing live their classics chamber rock finely elaborated and refined. An elegant, elaborated, researched and very sophisticated music. The Eclectic Discs label presents today the reissue of the underrated "The Album", a studio album originally recorded in 1980. This is a working of quality as, besides a presentation of high quality and an exhaustive booklet, there are also two bonus tracks, originally found on the single record taken from the album. The quite relevantly titled "Back To Front" (1982) is the first album that gathers the personnel of the legendary "In The Land Of Grey And Pink" (1970) again, including Richard SINCLAIR (Bass & vocals), David SINCLAIR (Keyboards), Richard COUGHLAN (Drums) and Pye HASTINGS (Guitar & vocals). Also the saxophonist Mel COLLINS can be heard on four tracks out of the eight ones. All in all, this is a cool and lively music which renews cleverly the traditional CARAVAN sound.