Mike Ratledge

Mike Ratledge was a British composer and keyboardist, celebrated as a foundational member of the Canterbury scene band Soft Machine. Classically trained from childhood, he pivoted to jazz and avant-garde music, bringing a unique, harmonically complex style to the group's pioneering blend of psychedelic rock and jazz-fusion. His signature sound, created with instruments like the Lowrey organ and Hohner Pianet, was central to iconic albums such as 'The Soft Machine' and 'Third'. Ratledge was the last original member to leave the band in 1976. Afterward, he became a reclusive but successful composer and producer for film, theatre, and advertising, notably collaborating with *Karl Jenkins* on the hugely popular Adiemus project.