Nine complex and intriguing prog rock albums from 1969

8. Volume Two – Soft Machine

Exploratory and engaging, with wild tonal and metrical shifts throughout, this is a tremendously experimental 1969 prog album that’s indicative of the leaps and bounds ahead of the field the Canterbury Scene was in terms of prog rock music – with Soft Machine at its head.

This album showcases the singular melodic sensibilities of Robert Wyatt, and features impressively hard-hitting compositions at times, such as the album-closing "10:30 Returns to the Bedroom,” which is a definite highlight.

7. Caravan – Caravan

This is a strong opening salvo from notable Canterbury Scene prog rockers with some striking tracks, such as opening song "Place of my Own" as well as "Love Song With Flute," which, as its name implies, features a lovely solo on that woodwind instrument as well as a prog rock trademark – brilliant organ playing – from group co-founder Dave Sinclair.

"Where But For Caravan Would I?" is a terrific closing song that lasts over nine minutes and showcases the group’s tight musicianship while also foreshadowing some of the longer tracks the group would dabble in over the course of their next few albums, including on the epochal In The Land of Grey and Pink. Terrific stuff.