First Volume of Unreleased Hugh Hopper Recordings Now Available

Hugh Hopper and Soft Machine fans worldwide are rejoicing to the news of the pending release of HUGH HOPPER - DEDICATED TO HUGH, a 10-CD Archival Celebration of the music of bass guitarist, composer, Hugh Hopper comprised of previously unreleased Hi-Fidelity recordings. Compiled by Michael King, a Canadian Hugh Hopper Scholar, the CDs will be released individually, beginning with Volume One, entitled 'Memories'.

This ten part series is to compliment a heretofore large body of work (over sixty titles) by presenting previously unreleased concert and studio recordings, with a focus on Hugh's compositions as performed by groups under his leadership. All proceeds are to benefit Hugh's Hopper's family.

HUGH HOPPER - DEDICATED TO HUGH 10-CD set features:
Volume 1 - Memories Hugh introduces a selection of rare tracks from across his career
Volume 2 - Frangloband Live at Triton Club, Paris 2004
Volume 3 - North & South co-credited with Scottish drummer Mike Travis (Gilgamesh) Live in Aberdeen 1995
Volume 4 - Four by Hugh by Four One-off quartet live at Bimhuis, Amsterdam, 2000
Volume 5 - Heart to Heart Co-credited with guitarist Phil Miller (Hatfield/National Health/In Cahoots) Studio duet performance, Amsterdam, 2007
Volume 6 - Special Friends Rare concert recordings, 1992 through 1995, of Hugh's project with Phil Miller, Didier Malherbe (Gong), Pip Pyle & Elton Dean - a.k.a. Short Wave.
Volume 7 - Soft Boundaries Triton, Paris concert recordings with Elton Dean, Sophia Domanich & Simon Goubet 2005
Volume 8 - Bass On Top Improvised studio session with pianist Slava Ganelin & drummer Aahron Kaminsky, Israel 2007
Volume 9 - Anatomy of Facelift Five live performances of Hugh's signature composition, Facelift, as performed by Soft Machine, 1969 through 1971. Includes extracts from Lois Frith's University Thesis: Anatomy of Facelift
Volume 10 - Was A Friend Various rare tracks, including duets with drummers Chris Cutler (Henry Cow) & Seb Rockford and concluding with Hugh final musical performance: Was A Friend, performed by Denis Colin Trio, 2008

Hugh Hopper began his musical career in 1963 as bass guitarist in the Daevid Allen Trio alongside drummer Robert Wyatt. In 1964 Hugh founded The Wilde Flowers with his elder brother, Brian Hopper. Passing through their ranks were fellow Canterbury legends Kevin Ayers, Richard Sinclair, Robert Wyatt, and also Pye Hastings & Richard Coughlin who went on to form Caravan. After dissolving the Wilde Flowers Hugh became the roadie for his friends, The Soft Machine, then a Avant-garden pop group and house band of London's UFO Club, alongside The Pink Floyd.

In 1969 Hugh replaced Soft Machine's original bassist Kevin Ayers, who left following two exhaustive American tours. Hugh's trademark bass sound (often delivered through fuzz boxes) and his compositions raised the music of Soft Machine to heights unmatched by their contemporaries. With the addition of saxophonist Elton Dean the 'classic quartet' developed a massively successful following in England and continental Europe, headlining numerous Festival's and producing the timeless and ground-breaking double album Soft Machine 'Third'.

After leaving the Soft Machine in 1973 Hugh worked with many pillars of the jazz-rock fusion scene such as Gary Boyle's Isotope, Alan Bowen's Gilgamesh, Stomu Yamasa's East Wind and Carla Bley's celebrated big band. He also co-founded quartets with fellow Soft Machine member, saxophonist Elton Dean, namely Soft Head & Soft Heap. In the 1980's, 90's and into the 21st century Hugh composed a wealth of extraordinary music for his own groups and participated in countless improvisational settings and guest appearances. The music Hugh Hopper is a wonder to behold, a player of high distinction with trademark sound by turns gritty and gorgeous. Gonzomultimedia is honored to present this superb series celebrating the musical legacy of Hugh Hopper, for fans, friends and first time discovers.

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