Soft Heap - Soft Heap

2025

Originally recorded in 1978, this eponymous album stands as the band's sole studio release, bringing together some of the most renowned figures from the Canterbury Scene. The newly remastered version is set to reintroduce this avant-garde jazz-prog masterpiece to a new generation of listeners as well as long term fans. Featuring stellar lineup of musicians from Soft Machine, Gilgamesh, and National Health, Soft Heap consists of saxophonist Elton Dean, keyboardist Alan Gowen, bassist Hugh Hopper, and drummer Pip Pyle. Together, these iconic musicians craft a sophisticated sound that is both intriguing and inspiring, blending elements of jazz, progressive rock, and experimental electronics to create a unique sound experience. Soft Heap's self-titled album is a remarkable showcase of the band's talent, with Dean's saxophone and Gowen's keyboards dancing around each other in intricate, compelling exchanges. Hopper's melodic basslines and Pyle's innovative drumming provide a powerful rhythmic foundation, grounding the album's dynamic soundscape while driving it's momentum forward. 

This reissue of Soft Heap is part of Charly Records' ongoing Exploring the Canterbury Scene series, which highlights some of the most innovative and influential works from one of the most creative movements in British music.