After the reissue of Bundles and Alive And Well comes this comprehensive take on what some suggest is a ‘cruelly’ overlooked era in the Soft life. The reasons why these are not the Softs best years are manifold: all the original band members had gone (Ratledge has only the most spectral presence). And with them went the unique vision that made the band special. Secondly, despite the liner notes suggestions, the band didn’t go more “jazz”. Indeed they went more prog rock, egged on by Karl Jenkins’ formulaic and melodramatic compositions. And as Jenkins took over, so out went the humour, wit – and improvisation. What’s more there was no unity within the bands of this period: each album had a different line up and style. By 1978 the “band” no longer existed in any meaningful sense, while the 1981 revival was simply a vehicle for Jenkins and his ostentatious orchestrations. There were redeeming qualities: Holdsworth is unleashed on numerous lengthy solos, (though such indulgence isn’t really the way to get the best from the gnarly geezer) while John Etheridge emerges as a new force. Like any anthology, it saves you having to seek out the originals, but would you really want to anyway?