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.
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?).
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.
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
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.
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?
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!
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
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!
Can't top Robert Wyatt's drum solos imo. Sorry, Jason. Robert was the only drummer whose solos I can actually listen to.
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...
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.
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.