Checked out the videos. I don't quite see the similarity between Soft Machine and Tortoise, but I don't think that was your intention. However, I can appreciate the post as it is nice to see something absent from the norm. As much as I love the classics, my main musical influences are a bit eccentric and bands like Tortoise really resonate with me based on their good musicianship and their DIY spirit. Here are a few links to some live recordings.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cI2-hewJUZk

http://www.youtube.com/user/StageExitLeft#p/a/2E9F3FF0F162B600/1/Ki5b1Qxz_7s

I enjoyed the Soft Machine videos. Very jazz fusion indeed and I am a much bigger fan of that era of fusion that of what is current. Weather Report, Brand X, Return to Forever; that is my business.

Thanks for the post!