Fifth
original issue design
Studio album by Soft Machine
Released	July 1972
Recorded	Nov–Dec 1971 and Jan–Feb 1972 at Advision Studios, London
Genre	Jazz fusion[1]
Length	36:34
Label	CBS (UK), Columbia (USA)
Producer	Soft Machine
Soft Machine chronology
Fourth (1971) Fifth (1972) Six (1973)

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic	[1]

Fifth (the title is Fifth while the front cover shows the number 5), is the fifth studio album by the jazz rock band Soft Machine, released in 1972. In the US the album was identified on cover and label by number (5).

Overview

Fifth was the first Soft Machine album recorded after the departure of original drummer Robert Wyatt and continued the band's progression away from their original blend of psychedelic and progressive rock towards jazz fusion. Wyatt's replacement was Phil Howard, who contributed to the 1971 sessions that comprise side one, after which he left and was replaced by John Marshall for the 1972 sessions that comprise side two. Future member Roy Babbington worked on the album as a session musician, playing double bass on all the tracks on side two.

Track listing

Side one

1. "All White" (Mike Ratledge) – 6:06
2. "Drop" (Ratledge) – 7:42
3. "M C" (Hugh Hopper) – 4:57

Side two

1. "As If" (Ratledge) – 8:02
2. "L B O" (John Marshall) – 1:54
3. "Pigling Bland" (Ratledge) – 4:24
4. "Bone" (Elton Dean) – 3:29

2007 CD reissue bonus track

1. "All White" (take two) - 7:14

Personnel

Soft Machine

Side one:

• Elton Dean – alto saxophone, saxello; Fender Rhodes electric piano (2)
• Mike Ratledge – Fender Rhodes electric piano, Lowrey organ
• Hugh Hopper – bass guitar
• Phil Howard – drums

Side two:

• Elton Dean – alto saxophone, saxello
• Mike Ratledge – Fender Rhodes electric piano, Lowrey organ
• Hugh Hopper – bass guitar
• John Marshall – drums

Additional musician

• Roy Babbington – double bass (Side two)