SOFT MACHINE: The Soft Machine LP Gatefold US 1st Press

$

60

This was the first album released by the British jazz/rock band SOFT MACHINE that was issued in 1967 on the ABC/PROBE/Command  label. This is the original American release which came out years before it appeared in England. The band at the time included Robert Wyatt on drums & vocals, Michael Ratledge on keyboards & Kevin Ayers on guitar.

Their music was  unique & quite unlike any other sounds made by other artists at the time (1967). Indeed, I saw them perform this album back in Summer 1967 at the Hollywood Bowl. The headline group was the Jimi Hendrix Experience & special musical guests were the awesome NEW YORK band VANILLA FUDGE. As incredible as Hendrix & Vanilla Fudge were, musically Soft Machine gave the most farout performance, remembered by quite a few people afterwards.

After this album Kevin Ayers left the group & Michael Ratledge more or less took over the group's musical direction.They continued to do long jams in person in the late 60's & early 70's (ALA Soft Machine 3). Robert Wyatt left to form his own group MATCHING MOLE before he broke his back & tragically became invalid. Soft Machine pretty much turned to doing progressive jazz from Soft Machine 4 to Soft Machine 7.

The record is pressed on heavy duty black vinyl that exhibits a very shiny, lustrous finish. There are extremely small hairline marks from pulling the album out of the inner liner sleeve but they are hardly noticeable & do not affect the sound quality at all. The record sounds great & features a rich full bodied analog quality that sounds fantastic. There is barely any surface noise. The sound engineering features great clarity, seperation & effects. The record labels are in near mint shape & features hardly any spindle marks. The inner liner sleeve is in excellent shape.

The album cover itself is in excellent shape. The corners have the tiniest bit of wear. There is a bit of age smudging on the LP cover but it looks great. There is one small 3/8 inch tear on the letter T in the word THE. This is contained in a beautiful gatefold cover that features the famous moving wheel cover. When spun around the wheel features different imagery behind it. This feature still works like new. The album cover was produced on ultra heavy cardboard to last. A rare item from a very unique group. 

This record was only played through an AUDIO TECHNICA SHIBATA  QUAD cartridge from JAPAN which was the top of the line musical cartridge at the time.

 LP will be packaged in a sturdy cardboard box to prevent damage during transit.

Domestic Shipments: INSURANCE is included in shipping charges. Domestic shipments will ship either MEDIA MAIL or PRIORITY MAIL w/delivery confirmation.

International shipments: INSURANCE fees are included in shipping charges. Foreign orders will have transit choice of the following services 1ST CLASS or PRIORITY MAIL INTERNATIONAL MAIL.  NOTE: ITALY will have the transit choice of PRIORITY MAIL only.     

POLICY: A full refund will be given only if vinyl is severely damaged during transit.