THE SOFT MACHINE - THE SOFT MACHINE 1968 DEBUT PROBE LP ROTATING COVER 1st PRESS

$

40

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TITLE: The Soft Machine - The Soft Machine

FORMAT: LP

PRESSING: Stereo pressing with black Probe labels

CATALOG NUMBER/ LABEL : Command/Probe CPLP 4500 

REVIEW: Soft Machine were never a commercial enterprise and indeed still remain unknown even to many listeners who came of age during the late '60s and early '70s, 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, Hatfield and the North, and National Health, not to mention the distinguished pop music careers of founding members Robert Wyatt and Kevin Ayers and the jazz and jazz-rock explorations of saxophonist Elton Dean and bassist Hugh Hopper.

A wild, freewheeling, and ultimately successful attempt to merge psychedelia with jazz-rock, Soft Machine's debut ranges between lovingly performed oblique pop songs and deranged ensemble playing from drummer/vocalist Robert Wyatt and organist Mike Ratledge. With only one real break (at the end of side one), the songs merge into each other -- not always smoothly, but always with a sense of flair that rescues any potential miscues. Wyatt takes most of the vocals, and proves himself a surprisingly evocative singer despite his lack of range. Like Pink Floyd's The Piper at the Gates of Dawn, Vol. 1 was one of the few over-ambitious records of the psychedelic era that actually delivered on all its incredible promise. Originally recorded as demos by the Soft Machine's first manager Giorgio Gomelsky in April 1967, these are the only recordings (bar one obscure single) featuring the group's original guitarist Daevid Allen and bassist Kevin Ayers alongside Ratledge and Wyatt.- Allmusic.com

RARE ORIGINAL U.S. STEREO FIRST PRESSING WITH BLACK COMMAND/PROBE LABELS, GATEFOLD COVER, ROTATING COVER, AND ORIGINAL NUDE COVER ART. VINYL IN SUPERIOR SHAPE.

CONDITION: (we visually grade albums according to Goldmine Standards, BUT questionable vinyl marks are also play-graded) 

                        VINYL: Very Good Plus

                        JACKET: Very Good Plus (promo hole in corner, 1" splits on either side of rotating wheel opening- see photo for detail)

                        SLEEVE: plain paper

                        INSERT / EXTRAS : Original Cover with rotating wheel and nude cover art

AS WITH ALL USED VINYL LPS, A THOROUGH CLEANING SHOULD BE PERFORMED BEFORE PLAYING, FOR OPTIMUM SOUND QUALITY.

Please click on "View Seller's Other Items" to see the other fine recordings we are offering this week!

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ADDITIONAL LPS SHIP FOR  $2 EACH TO CANADA/MEXICO ADDRESSES ($2 PER SINGLE OR  GATEFOLD LP, 2LP SETS COUNT AS 2). THERE IS A WEIGHT MAXIMUM OF 4LBS FOR FIRST CLASS INTERNATIONAL (APPROXIMATELY 5-6 LPS). FOR LARGER ORDERS, PLEASE CONTACT US FOR SHIPPING QUOTES AND SERVICE OPTIONS.

ADDITIONAL LPS SHIP FOR FOR $5 EACH TO EUROPE/ASIA/REST OF WORLD ($5 PER SINGLE OR  GATEFOLD LP, 2LP SETS COUNT AS 2). THERE IS A WEIGHT MAXIMUM OF 4LBS FOR FIRST CLASS INTERNATIONAL (APPROXIMATELY 5-6 LPS). FOR LARGER ORDERS, PLEASE CONTACT US FOR SHIPPING QUOTES AND SERVICE OPTIONS.

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DOMESTIC AND INTERNATIONAL (PRIORITY MAIL) COMBINED SHIPMENTS

ADDITIONAL LPS SHIP FOR $2 EACH TO U.S. ADDRESSES ($2 PER SINGLE OR GATEFOLD LP, 2LP SETS COUNT AS 2).

ADDITIONAL LPS SHIP FOR  $4 EACH TO CANADA/MEXICO ADDRESSES ($4 PER SINGLE OR  GATEFOLD LP, 2LP SETS COUNT AS 2).

ADDITIONAL LPS SHIP FOR FOR $4 EACH TO EUROPE/ASIA/REST OF WORLD ($4 PER SINGLE OR  GATEFOLD LP, 2LP SETS COUNT AS 2).

PACKAGING: All our LPs are shipped in brand new U-Line custom LP mailer boxes, which hold up to 5 LPs. Larger orders are also over-boxed (double boxed) for added security. The LPs are wrapped in 2 to 5 square feet of 3/16" bubble wrap and the boxes are taped TIGHTLY. LPs can be shipped outside jackets (to prevent seam splitting) if requested. We have been shipping LPs worldwide for years, and have the feedback to prove that we ship them properly. We also ship all domestic shipments with Delivery Confirmation for peace of mind for all involved. Tracking Numbers are uploaded to Ebay immediately following shipment.

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