The Floating World : The "Official" Soft Machine Thread

Discussion in 'Music Corner' started by Scope J, Mar 11, 2010.

  1. Lightworker

    Lightworker Forum Resident

    Location:
    Deep Texas
    Most folks haven't heard of the 45 by 'The Beautiful' (on Cyclops). Different mixes/versions
    of the Polydor single session stuff produced by Kim Fowley and released here on a one-shot
    Hollywood label in 1967.
     
    bekayne likes this.
  2. John Fell

    John Fell Forum Survivor

    Location:
    Undisclosed
    This is a great album.
     
  3. AlmostHeavenWV

    AlmostHeavenWV The poster formerly known as AlmostHeavenWV

    Location:
    Lancaster UK
    I recall an interview with either Ratledge or Jenkins, where whichever one it was was asked about The German Lesson and The French Lesson. They're essentially the same song, but giving it two titles bumped the number of tracks up to 12, and that was significant for how it could be marketed in another country (I don't remember which. The US?).
     
  4. Jason Pumphrey

    Jason Pumphrey Forum Resident

    It also could have been done for royalties reasons
     
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  5. AlmostHeavenWV

    AlmostHeavenWV The poster formerly known as AlmostHeavenWV

    Location:
    Lancaster UK
    Ah! Yes, I think you're spot on there. Thanks.
     
    Jason Pumphrey likes this.
  6. ArpMoog

    ArpMoog Forum Resident

    Location:
    Detroit
    Its a crime Ratledge doesn't get more recognition for his skills and contributions as a player and musician.
    I will take him anyday over the guys that get all the props like Emerson and Wakeman.
    Mike's organ playing and style are for me some of the best ever.
    I would love for Third to have been recorded better or something.
    All I have is the first Us press and ive heard the Uk is a bit superior I have been meaning to track one down.
    I got burned a few times buying overseas with returns. So it goes.
     
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  7. Jason Pumphrey

    Jason Pumphrey Forum Resident

    Mike Ratledge truly stepped out of the spotlight, with the exception of the adiemus project with Karl Jenkins.
    My guess is he had to get a normal nine-to-five job afterwards. Not to mention he is married to Marsha hunt
     
  8. the sands

    the sands Forum Resident

    Location:
    Oslo, Norway
    I have them all up to 5. I'm a fan of Robert Wyatt and vol 1 and 2 remains my favorite.
     
  9. AlmostHeavenWV

    AlmostHeavenWV The poster formerly known as AlmostHeavenWV

    Location:
    Lancaster UK
    My first SM buy was the double set Volumes 1 & 2, on vinyl. Amazing music, they're two albums I always listen to all the way through, no cherry-picking. Six was my next buy, and Chloe and the Pirates is definitely my favourite too. That was the first time I began to 'get into' more ambient music, and I followed it up with Terry Riley's In C.
     
    Scope J likes this.
  10. AlmostHeavenWV

    AlmostHeavenWV The poster formerly known as AlmostHeavenWV

    Location:
    Lancaster UK
    According to Wikipedia(!) "In the 1980s Ratledge was active as a composer and musical producer for commercials and the theatre."
    Does anyone know of any commercials that featured his music?
     
    Scope J likes this.
  11. Daryl M

    Daryl M Senior Member

    Location:
    London, Ontario
    Can't tell you how many times I held that hard-cover book on the Softs in my
    hands in a bookstore and passed. Now it's going for major bucks!
     
    Scope J likes this.
  12. Scope J

    Scope J Senior Member Thread Starter

    Location:
    Michigan
    Yup , i iterloaned it from
    the library , a very good read !
     
  13. AlmostHeavenWV

    AlmostHeavenWV The poster formerly known as AlmostHeavenWV

    Location:
    Lancaster UK
    Some terrific organ from Mike Ratledge on Interview, from Kevin Ayers' Bananamour album.

     
    nojasa, footlooseman and ArpMoog like this.
  14. ArpMoog

    ArpMoog Forum Resident

    Location:
    Detroit
    R.I.P Kevin. Mike plays on Joy as well I think. Love them Ayers albums.
     
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  15. Jason Pumphrey

    Jason Pumphrey Forum Resident

    Some interesting facts, the second matching mole album was produced by Robert Fripp, and include such guest stars as Brian Eno and actress Julie Christie on vocals
     
  16. Hermetech Mastering

    Hermetech Mastering Mastering Engineer

    Location:
    Milan, Italy
    Reading the Robert Wyatt biog at the mo (as well as listening along to the compilation album to go with it), but hadn't heard any Soft Machine before, despite loving Wyatt, Ayers and Gong for many years. Great thread, lots of good recommendations!
     
  17. Jason Pumphrey

    Jason Pumphrey Forum Resident

    I would start with the first four albums, and if you like it you can go from there
     
  18. Hermetech Mastering

    Hermetech Mastering Mastering Engineer

    Location:
    Milan, Italy
    Thanks Jason!
     
  19. Jason Pumphrey

    Jason Pumphrey Forum Resident

    Here's a cool fact, Jack Bruce would be the last official soft machine bass player
     
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  20. Jason Pumphrey

    Jason Pumphrey Forum Resident

    Anyone else really enjoy all the cool John Marshall drum solos over the years, each one was unique
     
    John Fell likes this.
  21. AlmostHeavenWV

    AlmostHeavenWV The poster formerly known as AlmostHeavenWV

    Location:
    Lancaster UK
    Can't top Robert Wyatt's drum solos imo. Sorry, Jason. Robert was the only drummer whose solos I can actually listen to.
     
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  22. Jason Pumphrey

    Jason Pumphrey Forum Resident

    Of course his solos were incredible too
     
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  23. Sytze

    Sytze Senior Member

    I still kick myself for not picking up that second-hand copy of their debut single Love Makes Sweet Music back in the 80's, when it cost next to nothing...
     
    Jason Pumphrey likes this.
  24. jay.dee

    jay.dee Forum Resident

    Location:
    Barcelona, Spain
    John Marshall was/is one of the finest English jazz/rock drummers, which is fully evidenced by the quantity and diversity of projects he was invited to participate.

    Robert Wyatt was one of the most unique drummers who graced English rock of the period, which is fully evidenced by the calibre of drummers admitting his influence on their own style.

    I love both. :)
     
    Last edited: Jun 7, 2016
    John Fell and Jason Pumphrey like this.
  25. AlmostHeavenWV

    AlmostHeavenWV The poster formerly known as AlmostHeavenWV

    Location:
    Lancaster UK
    My apologies if this is straying away from all things Soft Machine, but this is George Neidorf, the man who taught Robert to play drums. It's uncanny!



    My apologies. You can only watch the video on YouTube.
     
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