Hugh Hopper (Soft Machine) (1945-2009) / Charlie Mariano (1923-2009) R.I.P.

One of my favourite psych-progressive rock / jazz fusion bass guitarists died 7 June 2009: HUGH HOPPER (29 April 1945 - 7 June 2009).

"Hopper's role with Soft Machine was initially as the group's road manager, but he already composed for their first album The Soft Machine and played bass on one of its tracks. In 1969 he was recruited to be the group's bassist for their second album, Volume Two and, with Mike Ratledge and Robert Wyatt, he took part in a recording session for a solo album of Syd Barrett's (formerly of Pink Floyd, with whom the early Soft Machine had regularly gigged). Hopper continued with the Softs, playing bass and contributing numerous compositions, until 1973." (wikipedia)

If you are not familiar with HOPPER's work you should definitely check out SOFT MACHINE's Volume Two - a fantastic psych-prog record with HOPPER's fuzz bass playing an important role: This is British psychedelia at its best!

Also read, that American Jazz alto saxophonist CHARLIE MARIANO passed away yesterday (November 12, 1923-June 16, 2009).

MARIANO lived in Köln (Cologne) and played with many great musicians, Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie, McCoy Tyner, Charles Mingus, Eberhard Weber, and Embryo among others.