Psychedelic, proto-progressive, experimental.
Soft Machine were never a commercial enterprise and indeed still remain unknown even to many listeners who came of age during the late '60s, when the group was at its peak. In their own way, however, they were one of the more influential bands of their era, and certainly one of the most influential underground ones. One of the original British psychedelic groups, they were also instrumental in the birth of both progressive rock and jazz-rock. They were also the central foundation of the family tree of the "Canterbury Scene" of British progressive rock acts, a movement that also included Caravan, Gong, Matching Mole, and National Health, not to mention the distinguished solo careers of founding members Robert Wyatt and Kevin Ayers.
from allmusic
The debut album by Soft Machine was released in 1968, after the split of the Wilde Flowers a group which consisted of the "Canterbury scene" giants of Wyatt and Ayers form the original Soft Machine lineup and future member Hugh Hoppper(who would replace Ayers after this album). Amoung the Wilde Flower alumni were also Pye Hastings, David Sinclair, Richard Sinclair and Richard Coughlan who would form another great "Canterbury" band Caravan.
The album is largely a mixture of the creative talents of Wyatt and Ayers both of whom would have solo careers after Soft Machine.
The songs are very psychedelic and the album as a whole is progressive with songs merging into each other and flowing somewhat back and forth into instrumental and vocal sections. The album has large jazz influences as well as an overall eccentric flair which is bound together by Wyatts soothing and deeply honest vocals. With some rather stunning pop songs influenced by Ayers, the album showcases his talent for writing quirky, absurd and a little deranged songs which would later be shown in his solo albums such as Joy of a Toy, which is named after a song on this album. But the album is far more than a pop record, its originality and creativity rank it one of the best of its time. Soft Machine would later become more Jazz orientated especially after Wyatt left, so Volume 1 and 2 are the best examples of this style. Volume Three is often considered there most accomplished and should also be checked out.
The end result is an enormously satisfying album, better than any Beatles album for me, and should be listened to very loud with the listeners full attention.
jamscoopa
Please buy the album from:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Soft-Machine/dp/B002EC4ZDA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1249323054&sr=8-1 UK
http://www.amazon.com/Soft-Machine-One/dp/B000N69OR6/ref=sr_1_16?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1249323153&sr=8-16 US
or any other retailer.
Or please delete within 24 hours:
http://www.mediafire.com/?muvnmwnt0za
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