Monday 31 August 2009

Perry Bible Fellowship

The Perry Bible Fellowship-Nicholas Gurewitch
cartoons, comics.



















Hello everyone, a break from music tonight I thought instead I would bring to your attention a cartoon strip which I love above all others. The Perry Bible Fellowship is the brainchild of Nicholas Gurewitch, I found it when it featured in the G2 supplement of a British newspaper "The Guardian" a few years ago. Since then Gurewitch has been turning PBF into a series of books, and touring with his artwork.
It originated in the Syracuse University newspaper "The Daily Orange". The comics are usually three or four panels long, and are generally characterized by the juxtaposition of whimsical childlike imagery or fantasy with extremely morbid, surreal humour. Common themes include irony, religion, sexuality, war, science fiction, suicide, violence, and death.(stolen from Wikipedia)

There are around 200 strips on the website all of high quality art and humour, on a cold, depressing day these are guaranteed to cheer me up.
Read and watch away, and enjoy
jamscoopa
PBF

Sunday 30 August 2009

King of Translucidity

Phillip Glass-Koyaanisqatsi-1982
Phillip Glass-Glassworks-1982
Classical, modern, soundtrack

















I've got a double post here for you lucky guys and gals, two albums from Phillip Glass, considered one of the 20th centuries most important composers, his music is also incredible in my somewhat humbler opinion. Its actually a triple post if you count a link to a film, anyhow.....

The two albums are from the same phase in his career, both from 1982. The first album "Koyaanisqatsi: A life out of Balance" is a composition for the film of the same name directed by Godfrey Reggio. The film is a journey through the modern world seen in time lapse and slow motion. It consists of some stunning photography of cities and the natural world largely in the USA, with focus on the small details the everyday, repetitive, inhuman aspect of our humanity. All this combined with a stunning soundtrack from Glass elevates this largely cult film to a level of importance overlooked by far too many people.

The word Koyaanisqatsi means crazy life, life in turmoil, life out of balance, life disintegrating, a state of life that calls for another way of living' or from Glass' own page "unbalanced life' in the language of the Hopi Indians. The film, without actors and dialogue, shows the clash between two cultures; that of city life and its technology and that of nature." Its intention is set out with no narration, no story, no dialogue, it allows the music and images to convince its viewers to go on their own to understand it as they please.
The Film is part of the "Qatsi Trilogy", they all have a similar theme and style with Glass composing the music for all three. Koyaanisqatsi is the best of the series, its originality, depth of experience (as long as you have the music loud and the picture clear) sets it above Powaqqatsi and Naqoyqatsi. To listen to the album alone is also a treat, however seeing the film is a must.

The sound and feel develops throughout the album from a brooding monolithic start chanting Koyaanisqatsi; to the hyper modern chan
t at the albums end. It traverses the human journey in, through and then out of nature, into technology and to the point of being an antagonist and destroyer of life via technology. It seems a huge juxtaposition that the technology we've created has both liberated us from and trapped us in our own humanity.
The album has an incredibly fluid feel to it, without sounding bland or laborious at any point. Motifs get slowly reintergrated at key moments to to build and create some breathtaking stages
. The use of the various instruments, electronics and chanting are used superbly to create a soundtrack which can inspire, excite and incite feelings of insecurity all at once, it can be positively eerie at points. The album is truly excellent, as is the film and a great place to start listening to Glass, as is the other album posted; Glassworks.



In a similar vein to the style of "Koyaanisqatsi" is Glassworks, which is considered an ideal introduction to Glass and his music. The albums repetitive, almost hypnotic, evolving sound are the perfect characteristics of Glass' work as a whole. Glass' work has been described as minimalist, but Glass himself refuses this title and I would also reject notions of minimalism, if you want to spend time to fully appreciating this music then you can easily see the depth and intensity in the music, with no less complex or inspirational composition than any standard classical work. Rubric is the stand out track on this album, but its real strength is by seeing the album as a whole, one whole which changes like nature, reacting against unseen forces to twist and change to fit impossible pressures. A true progressive in his field and music at large.
jamscoopa

Please buy the album and film from:
Film US
CD US
Film UK
CD UK
Or please delete after 24 hours and buy:^^
Life (320kbs)
Works (320kbs)

To watch a poor quality version of the film:
Google
More info:
Official site

Wednesday 26 August 2009

Rock Bottom

Robert Wyatt-Rock Bottom-1974
Canterbury, progressive, art rock, experimental.

















This is one of my favourite albums of all time. I present to you all Robert Wyatt's debut solo album "Rock Bottom". The album was released in 1974 after Wyatt had left Soft Machine who were heading down a more intentional jazz path, which Wyatt did not want to follow. It was also after Wyatt's fall from a five story high window, which broke his spine. Most of the material was written before the accident however this event adds a lot of poignancy to the album which due to Wyatt's honesty and introspection creates a stunningly emotive effort. The lineup is also immense and features the cream of the Canterbury scene.

The album marks a huge step from Matching Mole; the band between Soft Machine and this solo work. The songs are much better crafted with more emphasis on the song writing to create deeper sounds and lyrics, with many of the songs building up gently to climax and immerse the listener in powerful moments. The heartfelt nature of the album owes to the excellence of expression by Wyatt, it connects with the listener(if there not a stone) far to much for it to be coincidence.

"Sea Song" is a stunning listen, with a quite apparent but not overdone nautical feel "Partly fish, partly porpoise, partly baby sperm whale",it works in the song better than it does written down. Wyatt carries every sentence like a man longing for something, which is what the feel of the song also portrays to me "But I can't understand the different you, in the morning when its time to play at being human for a while". A longing to really feel something apart from nostalgia or pretty words, to feel love in all its madness.

The other stand out song for me is "Little Red Riding Hood Hit the Road" a song I never get tired of listening to and one of my favourite songs. The rather crazed mix of brass, piano, bass and drums creates a haphazard momentum for Wyatt's soft and gentle voice to try and reign in, before losing itself to the music and speaking as far as I can tell backwards. Its the small moments in this song that are wonderful, the trumpet playing a certain phrase or the bass sounding triumphantly resigned to being part of the mess. It is a wonderfully composed mess, summing up the contradictory and apologetic nature of love. The lyrics are beautifully simple when they are ledgeable and convey such raw emotion.

The stand out songs however do not stand out much, on nearly any other album they would be songs to point out, such is the strength of this album. "Alifib" and "Alife" are somewhat ominous sounding, as they play out their quite deranged thoughts. "A Last Straw" is probably the most straight forward sounding song with a lighter sound, and clearest lyrics.
The closer "Little Red Robin Hood Hit the Road" is an epic affair and a great finish, for me it has a royal feel to it, if the royals were tweaking a guitar surrounded by mermaids and fish.....and clams...........before pulling out the viola and singing an absurd rhyme (with all the inbreeding it may not be too far-fetched.)

A classic for sure, art rock at its finest. Its imagery, emotivity, technical craft and history are a rare combination of traits that stem from the events surrounding this album. The album is largely about love, but its not romantic or flowerly and its far from the hippie pyschedelia of the 60s. This is a mature and somewhat ambigous album, melancholic in its sound yet subtly hopeful in its vocals.
One not to be missed whatever you taste in or knowledge of music.
jamscoopa

Please buy at:(or better, at an independent store)
UK
US

Or please delete within 24 hours, and buy this excellent album:
Rocky (320kbs)
See for more information:
Hulloder
amg
scaruffi

Tuesday 25 August 2009

Its soooooooo beautiful........*starry eyes

Colour Haze-Self Titled-2004
Psychedelic, stoner, instrumental, fuzz.


















I'm quite surprised its took me this long to post this band. Colour Haze are top of my lastfm bands and "Love"(a song of this album) is my top played song. A band formed in the mid 90s but did not create anything truely excellent until 1999s "Periscope" from which they had the lineup they current have. This self titled album released in 2004 is the bands 7th album, with "Los Sounds de Krauts", CO2" and "Tempel" this album shows what has kept them making music whilst others around have abandoned there post. Starting from an agressive Sabbath influenced sound in their earlier albums to a more melodic and gentler sound; the band have been evolving and tweaking their sound. This is very evident on the most recent release "All", which is inspired by Indian classical music, featuring traditional arrangements and instruments (sitar)-they've come a long way.

Lead by the teutonic Stefan Koglek, Colour Haze are a power trio after the likes of cream, with Manni Merwald on drums and Phillip Rasthofer heavy on the bass. The feel is reminiscent of 70s acid rock but it in no way feels retro or dated unlike many bands with a similar style.
The understanding and fluidity between the band is immense and plays a huge part in their music; whether in the controlled subtler parts, where the individual parts feels natural and deft or the more frantic swirling sections where its only the skill and harmony of the band that allows them to create what they do.

The album starts with "Mountain" a CH classic and fairy typical of what to expect from their material, with a slow build up to a frenzied, epic jam to finish. "Tao Nr.43" is a harder song with more aggressive vocals and sound. "Did êl it" is a minute and a bit of light fuzz, with a catching peak 2nd time round.....you'll see. The pinnacle of the album is "Love", a 9 minute epic which takes half of that to get to the heavier stuff, however the build up is brooding but measured. The song is one of their most beautiful and powerful, by the time it gets to the seismic climax, with the longing guitar over dense driving fuzz, a listener (if they aren't a robot) should be hooked. "Solitude" gives a welcome quieter melancholic moment before the 22 minute beast "Peace, Brothers & Sisters!" which should speak for itself. The album closes on a great note with "Flowers" a more poignant affair which is a superb ending a an excellent album.

Colour Haze s/t is one of the best heavy psychedelic albums made, its invigoratingly aggressive and yet sumptuously peaceful, a hard mix to blend smoothly-but that's exactly what it does. They maybe didn't the most original start to their existence (as with many post Kyuss bands) but the band have found a unique and exciting sound and are constantly trying to push their sound to match their ethos. There are quite a few bands in the same genre but few in the same league as Colour Haze. More to come from these guys.
If you like this check out any of their labelmates, or Cream and alike bands. Please support this band by buying their albums and seeing them live.
jamscoopa

Please buy from:
UK
US
Allthatisheavy
Elektrohasch
and many more.
Or please delete after 24 hours:
Haze (320kbs)

Los Natas - Ciudad de Brahman (1999)

Artwork by Artist Frank Kozik

Released on the legendary "Man's Ruin Records" label, this is the second full record by Argentinian rockers "Los Natas". It was produced by Dale Crover (formerly of The Melvins) and recorded in USA. The band cites influences such as Black Sabbath, The Doors, Pink Floyd, The Who and Hawkwind among others and there is definitely parts of the album which is on a level with it's contemporaries. The album is sung in the bands native tongue of Spanish although some of their other material is in English. Their early efforts have been compared with the mighty "Kyuss" and any fans of them or Stoner rock in general will love this hard rocking album which is full of heavy driving riffs and long earthy jams.
Each of their albums has a distinctive sound and the band are constantly evolving their sound and I will almost definitely be posting more "Natas" in the future, I recommend their debut release "Delmar" and the follow up to "Ciudad" titled "Corsario Negro".

Tracklist
  1. "Carl Sagan"
  2. "Meteoro 2028"
  3. "Tufi Meme"
  4. "La ciudad de Brahman"
  5. "Siluette"
  6. "Brisa del desierto"
  7. "Paradise"
  8. "Alohawaii"
  9. "Adolescentes"
  10. "999"
  11. "Resplandor"
  12. "Rutation"
  13. "Polvaredo"
  14. "Nadha"
Please take some time to check out the links below and if you like what you hear please support the band by buying an album or two, go here for an awesome selection of Stoner Rock information and buy stuff from their store.

www.natasrock.com
myspace
or download from here

Still need to relax?

Agitation Free-Malesch-1972
Krautrock, progressive, instrumental


















I thought I'd fill that urge you have by now to also listen to the debut album from Agitation Free. Me being a benevolent blogger have provided it. "Malesch" was recorded and released in 1972 and is the summation of the bands history in extended jams and tours in Egypt and the mediterranean. The vibe is one which very much reflects the ethnic (specifically Egyptian) influences, with the atmosphere being as important as the music.

The music itself is largely lead by dueling guitars and a synthesizer, but the hybrid teutonic-desert beats set the album apart from most from the genre and other sounds at the time. Its originality and honesty are unique, it avoids sounding like a concept and succeeds at creating a consuming musical experience.

There is no weak song on the album, but my favourites would be "You Play For Us Today","Malesch" and one uber excellent album closer in "Rücksturz". For people not used to the Krautrock genre, it may take some listening to click, but for fans of the genre, instrumental or just top quality music its a must. If you like this then check out Amon Duul II, Ash Ra Tempel, Guru guru and of course there other masterpiece 2nd.
jamscoopa
Please buy at:
UK
USA
Or please delete after 24, then buy:^^
free

Monday 24 August 2009

Time to relax.....

Agitation Free-2nd-1973
Krautrock, progressive, instrumental


















Howdy folks, I thought another installment of krautrock was due. I have chosen to follow up Faust(a tough feat) with a superb album by Agitation free. Agitation Free were an avant-garde instrumental band from Germany in the early 1970s, they have an experimental and improvisational feel. They originated from extended jams of cover songs and then began writing their own songs from jamming sessions.

This album "2nd" is surprisingly the bands 2nd album after there excellent debut "Malesch", which has a very potent middle eastern and egyptian feel to it. 2nd has a similar but subtler feel, with the guitar still sounding quite ethnic but also jazzier. The album is one of my favourites and a true instrumental classic of the 70s. It showcases the german progressive scene with all its creativity, talent and worldly inspiration, whether in this case from ethnic countries the band toured or from the modern urban industrial realm as in Faust or Kraftwerk.

The album had two sides originally the first being supreme to the 2nd, which is not at all bad however. Side one starts with "First communication" the most aggressive song on the album, and one of the best. After a slow and gentle build up with some mellowing bass riffs complemented by a mazey and flowing guitar it arrives at the frantic close to the song an all out jazz rock jam to really stir senses.

The other stand out songs are "Laila Parts 1 and 2" the first part being my favourite part of an outstanding album." No forewarning just listen and enjoy.
Part 2 is 7 minute epic builds up slowly with the bass forming a beautifully repetitive hypnotizing base for a winding guitar to sum up an experience in a far away land. It really sends you elsewhere; for a stunning live version of "Laila" check out "Cliffs at the River Rhine" a live album released in 1995.

The second side is a much quieter journey, sometimes maybe too long in places but still wonderfully emotive, with the closer "Haunted Island" sticking out.
The band were extremely talented but lineup changes, poor sales :( and extensive touring forced them to split in 1974. They released "Last" and "Cliffs'" in the 70s until a brief reformation in 1998, and have since released a live album and "Fragments".
They are a definitive band of Krautrock and should be checked out at all cost, both "2nd" and "Malesch" are exemplar albums.
If you like this then also check out Amon Duul II, Guru guru and Tangerine Dream-posts will come later.
jamscoopa

Please buy at:
US
UK
Or please delete after 24 hours:
free

Thursday 20 August 2009

Faust..........

Faust-Self Titled-1970
Krautrock, Experimental, progressive.

















Well kids, what to say about Faust? They can be considered in the top tier of the german progressive movement in the late 60's and early 70's, a genre deemed by the english press at the time as "Krautrock". This being one of my favourite genres and favourite bands, Faust's eccentricity, creativity and originality set them apart from anything else before them and have influenced a huge range of bands since. A mix of electronic, rock, industrial noise, acoustic and editing techniques, it's truly original, a musical revolution of sorts. This is the first of the 4 top quality canon albums in the 70's, the self titled album is composed of 3 songs.

The first song "Why Don't You Eat Carrots" is a semi electronic affair with great usage of tape editing, it also samples some of the eras great bands with lines from "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction" and "All You Need Is Love", with feedback and mesmerizing jingles throughout, its a mixed up affair. Its like sticking Mozart in a blender and playing whats left through a broken record player, whilst hoovering, listening to the radio and making a cup of tea.
Separated from the anglo-american rock scene, Faust and the other early Krautrock bands such as; CAN, Amon Duul II, Tangerine Dream etc(I'll feature these later.) were free to do as they pleased, and what they did is certainly pleasing.

The 2nd song on the album "Meadow Meal" starts as feedback before breaking into a starkly ominous industrial sound-scape (pardon my french), it is then interupted by a group mantra. A riff of unsettling simplicity then carries the song until a organ finally closes a superbly imaginative track, a real experience indeed.

The album closer Miss Fortune is a 16 minute epic beginning with a more rock orientated start reminiscent of beach boys only distorted and edited out of comprehension with what sounds like a oscillator and looping. The album is not for the faint of hearted and will take a few listens to understand it. At some points it sounds incredibly foreign for those who are used to more standard rock, and even those who look for something different.

Faust's selftitled is stunning album for anyone willing to devote some attention to it. The ethos of "Krautrock" is just that, to listen to and experience the music to absorb it live, not for a catchy memory to weaken itself through over play. Check out "So Far", and there other masterpeice "Faust IV" if you like this....
More krautrock to come soon-any requests welcomed.
jamscoopa

Please buy at:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Faust/dp/B00005KKB6/ref=sr_1_15?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1250819916&sr=8-15 UK
http://www.amazon.com/Faust/dp/B000006YNH/ref=sr_1_45?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1250820011&sr=8-45 USA
Or please delete after 24 hours:
carrots

Sunday 16 August 2009

The Joys of Toys...

Kevin Ayers-Joy of a Toy-1969
Canterbury, psychedelic, pop


















Hello all been in America for just over a week now, Iowa City seems nice if not a tad small, but term starts next week which should liven things up a lot-I'll do a post about "The IC" later :).

My first post in the states will be a slice of whimiscal British psych=pop in the form of the debut solo album by Kevin Ayers-Joy of a Toy from 1969.
After Soft machine undertook a grueling tour of the states(woot) in 1968 supporting Jimi Hendrix, Kevin Ayers was exhausted and set of to Ibiza to relax. He would be replaced on bass by Hugh Hopper(a Wildeflower alumni) for Volume 2.
Ayers spent the time writing and living music rather than the hectic schedule he had been in prior, Ayers music show him to be a fan of the beachy tropical vibe which I can guess would be encouraged by the beauty of Ibiza.
The album is one of charmingly catchy yet gentle pyschedelic influenced pop songs. A very talented writer, Ayers shows his humour and imagination in all the songs which charm and sooth a willing listener. The stand out song for me would be the magnificent "Lady Rachel". It has an almost fairytale nature to it, the oboe creates an eerily inviting base to the song whilst Ayers deep and honest voice carries it with some wonderfully inspired lyrics to put the listener at ease. "The Clarietta Rag" another highlight, is an idylic trip into the mountains and really captures the simple yet satisfying feel of this album. With many of the songs featuring members of soft machine, Wyatt's drumming throughout the album in particular, it has some similarity to early Soft machine("Soon, soon soon"), but Ayers relaxed and somewhat lethargic approach sets it apart-in a good and bad way.
A really good album, maybe not the most adventurous or technically brilliant, but as a start for Ayers' work it's a great place to start.

-Listen out for Bananas-

jamscoopa

Please Buy this Album from:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Joy-Toy-Kevin-Ayers/dp/B00008Y2IU/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1250448445&sr=8-3 UK
http://www.amazon.com/Joy-Toy-Kevin-Ayers/dp/B00008Y2IU/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1250448516&sr=8-2 US
and many more other good independent retailers.
Or please delete after 24 hours:
Joy

Wednesday 12 August 2009

Blows Your Mind

Baby Woodrose
Blows your Mind!
  1. No Way Out
  2. Baby Blows Your Mind
  3. What a Burn!
  4. Caught in a Whirl
  5. Pandora
  6. Spinning Wheels of Fire
  7. Living a Dream
  8. Flaminica
  9. Maya
  10. D’ya Get What Ya Give?
  11. Kara Lynn
  12. Right to Get High
  13. Mind and Soul
  14. Nobody Spoil My Fun

An awesome album featuring artwork by the renowned Malleus Art Labs. They have a new record coming out in September which I urge you to buy. In the mean time take a listen to "Blows Your Mind!".


Visit their myspace
Download it here
or buy it from all good retailers etc

Sunday 9 August 2009

-E-n-o-

Brian Eno
Here Come the Warm Jets - 1973



01. Needles in the Camel's Eye
02. The Paw Paw Negro Blowtorch
03. Baby's on Fire
04. Cindy Tells Me
05. Driving Me Backwards
06. On Some Faraway Beach
07. Blank Frank
08. Dead Finks Don't Talk
09. Some of Them Are Old
10. Here Come the Warm Jets


An excellent record, probably my favourite of Eno's art rock, roxy music style solo works. This review from allmusic sums it up:
"Eno's solo debut, Here Come the Warm Jets, is a spirited, experimental collection of unabashed pop songs on which Eno mostly reprises his Roxy Music role as "sound manipulator," taking the lead vocals but leaving much of the instrumental work to various studio cohorts (including ex-Roxy mates Phil Manzanera and Andy Mackay, plus Robert Fripp and others). Eno's compositions are quirky, whimsical, and catchy, his lyrics bizarre and often free-associative, with a decidedly dark bent in their humor ("Baby's on Fire," "Dead Finks Don't Talk"). Yet the album wouldn't sound nearly as manic as it does without Eno's wildly unpredictable sound processing; he coaxes otherworldly noises and textures from the treated guitars and keyboards, layering them in complex arrangements or bouncing them off one another in a weird cacophony. Avant-garde yet very accessible, Here Come the Warm Jets still sounds exciting, forward-looking, and densely detailed, revealing more intricacies with every play".

I will get round to writing my own reviews (eventually) but this one says it better than I probably could anyhow. This is a great example of Eno's early solo work as are his next two records, "Taking Tiger Mountain (By Strategy)"(1974) and "Another Green World" (1975) and "Before and After Science" (1977) which are all essential Eno material. He moved away from this style of music to instrumental, ambient records which over the years Eno has cemented his place as one of the most creative and talented musicians and producers of the last 50 years.

You can download it from here

But please buy this album and others.

Saturday 8 August 2009

The Circus is in town

Dexter Jones Circus Orchestra
Side by Side (2007)

This being my first post i will keep it brief. Released on the fuzzorama record label in 2007 from Swedish progressive rockers Dexter Jones Circus Orchestra, Side by Side is an awesome album full of hard riffs and catchy melodies with a unique 70's, almost folksie sound. It's definitely worth a listen if your a fan of the stoner rock genre or fellow Swedish bands like dozer and truckfighters. They have a new record out this year, a teaser on their myspace page.

Tracks :
  1. Lock the Cage
  2. Nyby
  3. We Don't Care
  4. Conceptual Ways
  5. Sensation
  6. Feel the Cold
  7. In Front of You All
  8. In the Lions Pit
  9. Expectations
  10. Side by Side
Please buy this album and support the band by checking them out live.

Dexter Jones Circus Orchestra-Side by Side

myspace
fuzzorama

I will be posting some ((edit)Eno) next, but welcome requests and comments.

Monday 3 August 2009

Soft Machine - The Soft Machine

Soft Machine - The Soft Machine (Volume 1) 1968
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