The Soft Machine [Volume One]

• Artist: The Soft Machine
• Rating:
• Release Date: 1968 12
• Total Time: 41:22
• Genre: Rock

Review

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, Volume One was one of the few over-ambitious records of the psychedelic era that actually delivered on all its incredible promise. ~ John Bush, All Music Guide

Tracks

Track Title	Composers	Performers	Time
Hope for Happiness	Kevin Ayers, Brian Hopper, Mike Ratledge	Soft Machine	(4:21)
Joy of a Toy	Kevin Ayers, Mike Ratledge	Soft Machine	(2:50)
Hope for Happiness (Reprise)	Kevin Ayers, Mike Ratledge	Soft Machine	(1:38)
Why Am I So Short?	Kevin Ayers, Brian Hopper, Mike Ratledge	Soft Machine	(1:38)
So Boot If at All	Robert Wyatt, Kevin Ayers, Mike Ratledge	Soft Machine	(7:24)
A Certain Kind	Hugh Hopper	Soft Machine	(4:11)
Save Yourself	Robert Wyatt	Soft Machine	(2:25)
Priscilla	Robert Wyatt, Kevin Ayers, Mike Ratledge	Soft Machine	(1:03)
Lullabye Letter	Kevin Ayers	Soft Machine	(4:43)
We Did It Again	Kevin Ayers	Soft Machine	(3:46)
Plus Belle Qu'une Poubelle	Kevin Ayers	Soft Machine	(1:01)
Why Are We Sleeping?	Robert Wyatt, Kevin Ayers, Mike Ratledge	Soft Machine	(5:33)
Box 25/4 Lid	Hugh Hopper, Mike Ratledge	Soft Machine	(:49)

Credits

Tom Wilson (Producer), Soft Machine (Group), Eli Aliman (Cover Design), Henry Epstein (Cover Design), Robert Wyatt (Drums), Brian Goto (Cover Design), Robert Wyatt (Vocals), Robert Wyatt (Guitar), Mike Ratledge (Organ), Robert Wyatt (Cello), Mike Ratledge (Piano (Electric)), Chas Chandler (Producer), Kevin Ayres (Guitar), Robert Wyatt (Bass)