The Soft Machine '68 US 1st press LP on Probe with Wheel Cover mint-

	£		100
	$		132

Hi Vinyl freaks. In the next few weeks I'll put on auction more than 600 great and collectible records. Most records are true collector's items. Have a look, it is worthwhile! Most of my vinyl comes from my own collection and/or quality collections. Most records are in great, collectible condition. If not, I'll clearly describe the possible flaws or scuffs. Appr. 90% of my records are EX to Mint-. I am continuously selling Essential German Kraut, Dutch psych and garage, UK and US progressive and folk, early electronic and (hard) psychedelic records from the period 1967 to 1975. Moreover, many other essential wave, punk and (minimal) synth records will be on auction. Please take some time and read my instructions carefully. If questions... please feel free to ask. A fantastic vinyl collection is going to be for sale in outstanding condition. Don't miss out this opportunity!!

• Shipping rates have chanced since 1st of January 2011
• Please take a look at the shipping rates below for multiple discount ... I CAN'T SHIP FOR 4.00 !!
• Please take some time and read instructions below ...for quick check-out ask for invoice...

Band/Record: The Soft Machine - The Soft Machine

Label/Matrix: US 1968 Probe CPLP 4500

Condition Record/Sleeve: Mint-/EX (record immaculate, DREAM audio. Cover clean and unwritten, with corners tiny "eaten")

Extra Info: U.K PROG MONSTER !! Dream Audio ...Mega rare US 1st pressing on PROBE with original FOC (was issued first in the US, later in the U.K)

The trio of Wyatt, Ratledge, and Ayers (and guests) put down one of the finest albums in the Canterbury sub-genre.
Soft Machine and Caravan, for that matter, were the the products of the Wilde Flowers. One camp went to form Caravan and the other to form Soft Machine. Soft Machine's first album is much more impressive than Caravan's debut in my opinion. Caravan got better with their second album, "If I Could Do It All Over Again, I'd Do It All Over You," which is also highly recommended. Now, on to the review.

The album kicks off with one of the best Wyatt-era Soft Machine tunes, Hope for Happiness. It is without a doubt a Softs classic. The next song is Joy of a Toy, another Softs classic, which also became the title of Kevin Ayer's debut solo album. It has all the major elements of an earlier Softs song. This track bridges with Hope for Happiness (Reprise), which recalls the first track on the album. Why Am I So Short? is a humorous piece in which Wyatt addresses the issue of his height. After that, comes the longest piece on the album, So Boot If At All. It's primarily a nice, jazzy instrumental piece with great playing by everyone in the band. A Certain Kind is a wonderful vocal number with excellent keyboards by Ratledge and a killer drum outro by Wyatt.

Save Yourself has some great distorted keyboard work with Wyatt taking over as main vocalist again. This track bridges into Priscilla a nice short psychedelic instrumental. Another vocal track, Lullabye Letter comes next. Again, each musician does a superb job. We Did It Again has what sounds like Wyatt and Ayers repeating the chorus with Ratledge covering the keyboard parts. Plus Belle Qu'une Poubelle serves as a nice intro into Why Are We Sleeping? Kevin Ayers deep vocals are a highlight of this song. The chorus itself is rather catchy as well. It's one of my favorites on the album. The album ends with a short Ratledge/Hopper tune entitled Box 25/4 Lid. It's a nice ending to one of he greatest landmarks in progressive music.

As before stated, this album is very important in progressive music, especially in the Canterbury sub-genre. This album is a great introduction to someone who is interested in getting in to Soft Machine or Canterbury music itself, for that matter. I feel that I would be committing a wrong not to give this album 5 stars. It is important and needs to be recognized that way. The creative juices flowing throughout this album are astounding. Each musician contributes a sizeable amount on the album. Truly a masterpiece. 5 stars all the way!

Picture overview; please take a look at the pictures:

Payment instruction/Check out: Since i will be listing a lot of records in the next few weeks, i cannot know when you have finished shopping. Let me know when you want an invoice. Please do not pay me without my invoice. I make use of the Ebay invoice system, if you pay before my invoice i may lose track of your payment. Within the EU I prefer (free) IBAN transactions to my bank account. Paypal transactions OK.

Return policy and After sales: I stand for the quality of my vinyl so i will take back records. However, i will only take back if buyer agrees to share the the costs of the return postage. All packages will be sent with registered mail. If a package is delayed please communicate with me first in stead of drop complaints at paypal!

Shipping: All records will be carefully packed by me and I do not charge handling. Shipping will take place with air/priority mail and signed for only. Packages above 2kg will be shipped with TNT Global Express with track & trace code. Please take a look at the shipping rates. Combined shipping is offered. Please take a closer look at my shipping rates. It is OK to wait a few days/weeks with payment in order to obtain efficient shipping. Packages till 2kg and 5kg are relatively cheap also worldwide, so take your advantage !! Please take a closer look at the shipping rates:

EU I: Belgium, Denmark, Germany, France, Italy, Luxenbourg, Austria, Spain, U.K and Sweden

EU II: Bulgaria, Estland, Finland, Hungary, Ireland, Letland, Lithuania, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Slowakia and Czech Republick

EU III: Cyprus, Greece, Malta, Albania, Andorra, Bosnie-Herz., Canar. Islands, Faer. Islands, Gibraltar, Greenland, Island, Channel islands, Croatia, Lichtenstein, Macedonia, Moldavia, Montenegro, Norway, Ukraine, San Marino, Servia, Turky, Vatican, Swiss

World: USA, Kazachstan, Canada, South America, Australia, Africa

E-Sunshine records