Hugh Hopper - Hooligan Romantics (1994)

Hugh Colin Hopper - 29 April 1945 (Whitstable, Kent, England) - 7 June 2009

Most people know Hugh Hopper for his role as bassist in the renowned Canterbury band SOFT MACHINE, but his career simply can't be resumed at that. Hopper first met Daevid "GonG" Allen back in 63 when he passed though Canterbury and stayed at Robert Wyatt's house. They formed between the three of them the Daevid Allen Trio and the Australian beatnik taught the two youngsters about music loops and other research he'd learned from experimental artiste Terry Riley. As Daevid went on in his peregrinations, the other two members became part of the seminal Canterbury group THE WILDE FLOWERS, which included most every one from the future Soft Machine and Caravan and Hugh's older brother Brian on sax and guitar. Back in England in late 66, Daevid founded Soft Machine with Ayers, Ratledge and Wyatt, Hugh becoming their roadie, until Daevid's border incident and Kevin's proclamation of lazyness and not liking the future musical direction of SM, Hugh stepped in with his bass. His tenure with the Machine would last until 72 and the release of their sixth album.

By that time, his first solo album, the Orwell-ian inspired 1984 album had been published, but musically it had very little to do with Soft Machine's music. A very complex and difficult album about music loop and drones from his fuzzed-out bass, this is probably one of the foundation of the future Rock -In- Opposition movement along with Robert Wyatt's the End Of An Ear solo debut album. This music was a lot more similar to his next "job" in Stomu Yamashta's East Wind group, where he would work for two albums, before leaving to join up Isotope lead by guitarist Gary Boyle. He took over the bass from Jeff Clyne and stayed a while recording their best second album Illusion, touring but leaving just before their third album.

His next collaboration is with Keith Tippett and his buddy Elton Dean and including drummer Gallivan. This formation recorded two albums of difficult and experimental music. After a stint in Gilgamesh, Alan Gowan's group, where he recorded with them their second album, he then formed the Soft Heap/Head saga that would last a few years on and off and also record three or four albums. After this, he went on to do further work with keyboard great Alan Gowen, Phil Miller-In Cahoots, and other famous Canterbury school musicians and groups. Hopper has made albums under the Cuneiform, Colombia, Voiceprint, etc.. labels and still makes albums and does collaborations to this day.

Hopper's first album is probably the best one to get. It is an unusual album, but will please most fans of early avant-garde/RIO material. Hopper plays a wide array of instrument (including the mellophone and bass of course), and along with the other musicians, creates this tapestry of out-there noises and crazy effects. Also, of interest may be the albums, Hopper Tunity Box and Two Rainbows Daily (a collaboration with Alan Gowen), but as noted, start with the first album, if you are interested in Hopper's solo material.

Any fan of adventurous, experimental Prog should check out Hopper's solo material and collaborations. He is one incredible and unique Canterbury school musician. In 2002, Hopper reformed a version of his old group Soft Machine but added the Legacy word behind it. This formation was made-up of all ex-Machinists, as Elton Dean, John Marshall and John Etheridge (although he's never played with him in SM) and they produced a few Cds 'and one DVD) of mostly new material with the odd classic from SM. The SML group survived Elton Dean's death in the spring of 2006, but will it see life beyond the recent death of Hugh Hopper??

Indeed sadly Hugh left this planet for greener pastures in June 2009 and leaves us a legacy in the form of a fuzz bass guitar.