Soft Machine, The

The Soft Machine were one of England's original and best psychedelic bands, emerging out of the same "UFO Club" London scene at the same time as Pink Floyd. While the band would always undergo constant personnel and stylistic change, their best known lineup in their psychedelic days was the trio of Kevin Ayers-bass, guitar, vocals, Mike Ratledge-organ and Robert Wyatt-drums, vocals. They played many shows and built an audience in “swinging London” and beyond. A link with Jimi Hendrix’s management culminated in the Softs touring the USA with the Jimi Hendrix Experience two different times in 1968, playing over 60 shows as their opening act and recording their first album while in the USA during their touring, after which the band collapsed and disbanded...temporarily. Middle Earth Masters captures the 1967-era Soft Machine trio in full concert glory, recorded live at London's legendary Middle Earth club. The performance is unbelievably freaky for 1967, with songs that feature unusual structures linked by wild solos and improvisations. Those of you who know and love the first Soft Machine album will be amazed at how much more insane and insanely loud the band actually were and also surprised to hear that Mike Ratledge was doing the crazy solo fuzz organ parts (ala the opening of Facelift) in 1967. Includes rare, previously unissued photographs and a short essay by Michael King about these tapes and his work to make them sound as good as possible.

IMPORTANT: The source tapes for this album were recorded using semi-pro equipment under difficult conditions, at extreme volume in a concrete basement. Considering their age, their rarity, and the technical limitations of sound reinforcement of 45 years ago, we feel that the music presented is very enjoyable! What this means in plain English is that the recording accurately presents the sound of a very loud band playing with an inadequate PA for the vocals. The band itself is very clearly recorded, but the vocals are often very low in the mix.

TRACKS:

1. Clarence In Wonderland (4:33)

2. We Know What You Mean (3:02)

3. Bossa Nova Express (2:39)

4. Hope For Happiness (13:19)

5. Disorganisation (6:03)

6. We Did It Again (5:48)

7. Why Are We Sleeping? (6:16)

8. I Should've Known (9:47)

9. That's How Much I Need You Now (2:20)

10. I Should've Known (6:44)

11. A Certain Kind (3:46)

PERSONNEL:

Mike Ratledge / keyboards

Robert Wyatt / drums, vocals

Kevin Ayers /bass guitar, vocals

Tracks 1 to 8, recorded Middle Earth, Convent Garden, London on 16th September 1967

Tracks 9 and 10, recorded Middle Earth, Roundhouse, Chalk Farm, London during May 1968

Track 11, unknown location, Autumn 1967.

Total Time: Total: 64:17