a r t i s t : Soft Machine
t i t l e : Middle Earth Masters
d a t e : 2006
l a b e l : Cuneiform
g e n r e : Psychedelic
r l s. d a t e : Oct/2006
t r a c k s : 12
b i t r a t e : VBRkbps
s i z e : 94,7 MB
_______________________________________________________________________
"Soft Machine were the grooviest, coolest psychedelic band of
the era..."-Phil Manzanera.
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 ôswinging Londonö and beyond. A link with Jimi
HendrixÆs 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 CD 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 40 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.
!
_______________________________________________________________________
01-Clarence in Wonderland [04:34]
02-We Know What You Mean [03:02]
03-Bossa Nova Express [02:40]
04-Hope for Happiness [13:20]
05-Disorganisation [06:03]
06-We Did It Again [05:49]
07-Why Are We Sleeping? [06:17]
08-I Should've Known [09:48]
09-That's How Much I Need You Now [02:21]
10-I Should've Known [06:45]
11-Certain Kind [03:47]
12-Hidden Track [00:36]
-------
65:02 min