Soft Machine - 4
Soft Machine - At The Beginning. I think I’ve answered my own question about what the “new” Soft Machine album, London 1967, is that has recently appeared on iTunes, Spotify, etc. It seems to be the same tracks that Charly Records has been recycling for years. I even own this version. It never impressed me before but the first few tracks on Spotify sounded great. They’re not all great. But they’re not bad. It has also been available in the past under the name Jet Propelled Photographs. I’m sure the recent passing of Kevin Ayers has nothing to do with its sudden reemergence under a new title credited to “Soft Machine (featuring Kevin Ayers)” because that would be crass.
Soft Machine - Live At The Henie Onstad Art Centre 1971. Cover’s a little rough. The white dot next to Robert Wyatt’s head is a gouge were someone did a poor job of removing a sticker. But the records are in brand-new unplayed condition.
The Soft Machine (die-cut wheel cover). Once in awhile, something actually goes my way. I spotted this on eBay for a very low “Buy It Now’ price that I couldn’t pass up. It felt like a gamble, though. Seller didn’t give much of a description and didn’t appear to specialize in selling records. Would it be junk? Was it really the moving-wheel version? Got it today and I couldn’t be more pleased. It’s not mint but it’s close enough for the price I paid. This has been a favorite album of mine for many years. Now I own it in the coolest version. I’m a happy camper. :)
