SOFT MACHINE - The Soft Machine (1968-1990) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

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, bassist Kevin Ayers 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.by John Bush
Tracklist:
1    Hope for Happiness 4:21   
Kevin Ayers / Brian Hopper / Mike Ratledge
2    Joy of a Toy 2:50   
Kevin Ayers / Mike Ratledge
3    Hope for Happiness (Reprise) 1:38   
Kevin Ayers / Mike Ratledge
4    Why Am I So Short? 1:38
Kevin Ayers / Brian Hopper / Mike Ratledge
5    So Boot If at All 7:24   
Kevin Ayers / Mike Ratledge / Robert Wyatt
6    A Certain Kind 4:11   
Hugh Hopper
7    Save Yourself 2:25   
Robert Wyatt
8    Priscilla 1:03   
Kevin Ayers / Mike Ratledge / Robert Wyatt
9    Lullabye Letter 4:43   
Kevin Ayers
10    We Did It Again 3:46   
Kevin Ayers
11    Plus Belle Qu'une Poubelle 1:01
Kevin Ayers
12    Why Are We Sleeping? 5:33
Kevin Ayers / Mike Ratledge / Robert Wyatt
13    Box 25/4 Lid 0:49
Hugh Hopper / Mike Ratledge
Credits:
Drums, Vocals – Robert Wyatt
Guitar – Kevin Ayres
Organ – Mike Ratledge