Soft Machine - Backwards

Artist:

Soft Machine

UPC:

045775017020

See Also:

Dean, Elton Euphoria Jenkins, Karl (Composer)

Description:

Soft Machine includes : Robert Wyatt (vocals, various instruments); Lyn Dobson (soprano saxophone, tenor saxophone); Elton Dean (alto saxophone, saxello); Mike Charig (trumpet); Nick Evans (trombone); Mike Ratledge (electric piano, organ); Hugh Hopper (bass).
Compilation producer: Steven Feigenbaum.
Recorded between November 1968 and May 1970. Includes liner notes by Aymeric Leroy.
All tracks have been digitally remastered.
Personnel: Robert Wyatt (vocals, drums); Elton Dean (saxophone, alto saxophone); Lyn Dobson (soprano saxophone, tenor saxophone); Marc Charig (trumpet); Nick Evans (trombone); Mike Ratledge (electric piano, organ).
Liner Note Author: Aymeric Leroy.
Recording information: England (10/1968-05/1970); London, England (10/1968-05/1970); Paris, France (10/1968-05/1970); United States (10/1968-05/1970).
Photographer: Shep Shepherd.
Albums of archival material by Soft Machine abound, especially when it comes to the era surrounding the group`s Third and Fourth albums (1970-1971). While some of these documents hold interest for casual fans (Virtually and Noisette, both good-sounding live sets), Backwards will appeal only to the die-hard Soft head. Culled here are recordings from three different sources that vary in sound quality from good to poor -- but the fan won`t mind considering the historical and sentimental importance of some of these tracks. The CD begins in late May 1970 with 40 minutes of material from a typical set of the quartet lineup (Mike Ratledge, Hugh Hopper, Elton Dean, Robert Wyatt). "Facelift," "Moon in June" (the instrumental section), and "Esther`s Nose Job" are all well documented, but these interpretations match in quality any others previously available. Then listeners move backward in time (hence the CD`s title) to November 1969 for two excerpts of a rare performance by the short-lived "big-band" lineup that added the brass section of Marc Charig, Nick Evans, and Lyn Dobson -- the first two were part of Keith Tippett`s sextet and also appeared on King Crimson`s album from the same period. They give "Facelift" a...face-lift. The sound is muddy (especially when it comes to organ and drums) but the horns come through crisp and quite exciting. The CD ends with the demo version of Wyatt`s "Moon in June" (the first part Wyatt solo from late 1968 and the second part with the group from mid-1969). The official version on Third is much superior in all aspects, but this ultra-rare item will satisfy the curiosity of the fans. ~ Fran?ois Couture

Track Listing:

DISC 1

1. Facelift
2. Moon in June
3. Esther`s Nose Job
4. Facelift
5. Hibou Anemone and Bear
6. Moon in June [Demo] - (demo)

Album Information

Release Date:

03/12/2009

Type:

Performer

Genre:

Rock & Pop

Subgenre:

Art Rock

Label:

Cuneiform Records

Catalog Number:

13575

Original Release Year:

2002

# of Discs:

1

Studio/Live:

Studio

Mono/Stereo:

Stereo

Portions copyright 2005 Muze Inc. All rights reserved.

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