The Soft Machine

by Soft Machine

The Soft Machine cover art
  • Type: Album
  • Released: December 1968
  • Label: ABC, Probe, Barclay, Command
  • Country: United Kingdom
  • Length: 41:18
  • Community rating: 4.41/5 from 7 ratings

Artists on this release: Mike Ratledge, Robert Wyatt, Kevin Ayers

Album Notes & Community Reviews

A key document of the Canterbury scene, 'The Soft Machine' channels British psychedelic rock through a transitional, keyboard-led trio format that merges concise pop song structures with avant-garde electronics and free-form jazz improvisation. Mike Ratledge鈥檚 prominent use of a fuzz-laden Lowrey organ provides a distinct texture throughout the recording, which is also defined by Robert Wyatt鈥檚 idiosyncratic vocals and the singular presence of songwriter Kevin Ayers in his only album appearance with the group.

Genres

Descriptors: experimental, progressive, eccentric, improvisation, leftfield

Tracklist

  1. Hope For Happiness (04:21)
  2. Joy Of A Toy (02:49)
  3. Hope For Happiness - Reprise (01:39)
  4. Why Am I So Short? (01:37)
  5. So Boot If At All (07:23)
  6. A Certain Kind (04:13)
  7. Save Yourself (02:25)
  8. Priscilla (01:03)
  9. Lullabye Letter (04:42)
  10. We Did It Again (03:46)
  11. Plus Belle Qu'une Poubelle (01:00)
  12. Why Are We Sleeping? (05:31)
  13. Box 25 / 4 Lid (00:49)

Credits

  • Mike Ratledge - organ
  • Kevin Ayers - lead guitar, bass, lead vocals (on 10), spoken word (on 12)
  • Robert Wyatt - drums, lead vocals
  • Hugh Hopper - fuzz bass (on 13)
  • The Cake - backing vocals (on 12)
  • Chas Chandler - producer
  • Tom Wilson - producer

More from Soft Machine: full discography