SOFT MACHINE - THIRD 2LP 12" Vinyl Album

- Gatefold Album Cover, Original Barclay Records

  Third is the 1970 double LP by "Soft Machine", with each side of the original vinyl consisting of a single long composition. Its music explores the emerging jazz fusion of the type present on Miles Davis' Bitches Brew, which was released just a few months earlier.

 

High Resolution Photos of soft machine third

"Third" Album Description:

Soft Machine's 1970 release "Third" stands as a landmark album in the development of jazz fusion and progressive rock. Its unique double-LP format, bold musical explorations, and striking gatefold artwork have solidified its position as a true collector's item and a defining statement of its era.

Musical Odyssey

Unlike traditional albums, "Third" breaks all convention with four side-long compositions, each a voyage through intricate arrangements and improvisational brilliance. The album boldly weaves together elements of jazz, psychedelic rock, and avant-garde experimentation.

Side One: "Facelift" This sprawling piece demonstrates the band's virtuosity, starting with Hugh Hopper's pulsating bass and building into a crescendo of free-form jazz exploration.

Side Two: "Slightly All the Time" A more structured approach emerges, with Mike Ratledge's hypnotic organ riffs setting a steady groove for extended instrumental interplay.

Side Three: "Moon in June" This side showcases Robert Wyatt's singular songwriting and vocals. It delivers a haunting, melancholic piece that acts as the album's emotional counterpoint.

Side Four: "Out-Bloody-Rageous" The album concludes with a tour-de-force of unrestrained fusion. It combines fiery horn arrangements with avant-garde keyboard explorations and intense percussive interplay.

The Total Package – Including the Iconic Sleeve

The album's original gatefold cover on Barclay Records is a piece of art in its own right. John Hays' design features dreamlike imagery that perfectly reflects the experimental nature of the music. The original Barclay releases add to the collector's value of these records.

A Legacy of Influence

"Third" had a profound influence on the development of jazz fusion, influencing artists from Miles Davis to Weather Report. Its blend of complex arrangements, improvisation, and adventurous spirit inspired countless artists.

Music Genre:

Acid Psych Jazz Prog Rock 

Album Production Information:

The album: "SOFT MACHINE - Third 2LP Gatefold" was produced by: Soft Machine

Sound/Recording Engineer(s): Andy Knight, Bob Woolford

This album was recorded : April–May 1970 at IBC, London ("Facelift" live in Croydon and Birmingham, January 1970; re-issue bonus tracks live at the Royal Albert Hall, London, August 1970)

Album cover design: John Hays

Album cover photography: Jurgen D. Ensthaler

Record Label & Catalognr:

Barclay 920 224

Album Packaging:

Gatefold/FOC (Fold Open Cover) Album Cover Design with artwork / photos on the inside cover pages

Media Format:

Double 12" Vinyl Stereo Gramophone Record
Total Album (Cover+Record) weight: 480 gram 

Year & Country:

1970 Made in France
Personnel/Band Members and Musicians on: SOFT MACHINE - Third 2LP Gatefold
    Band-members, Musicians and Performers
  • Mike Ratledge - Hohner Pianet, Lowrey organ, piano
  • Hugh Hopper - bass guitar
  • Robert Wyatt - drums, vocals, plus (uncredited) Hammond Organ, Hohner Pianet, piano, bass

    Robert Wyatt is an influential English musician, singer, and songwriter, known for his significant contributions to the progressive rock and jazz-rock genres. Born in 1945, in Bristol, England, Wyatt initially gained prominence as the drummer and occasional vocalist for the pioneering psychedelic rock band Soft Machine in the late 1960s.

    After a tragic accident in 1973 that left him paralyzed from the waist down, Wyatt adapted his musical career and transitioned into a solo artist. Despite the physical challenges, he continued to make music, showcasing his versatility as a multi-instrumentalist and a unique vocalist. His solo work often explores a blend of progressive rock, jazz, avant-garde, and experimental music.

    One of Wyatt's notable solo albums is "The End of an Ear," released in 1970, which features avant-garde and experimental compositions. He has also produced several other critically acclaimed albums, including "Rock Bottom" (1974) and "Shleep" (1997). His music is characterized by intricate arrangements, thoughtful lyrics, and a distinctive voice that resonates with emotional depth.

  • Elton Dean - alto saxophone, saxello
  • Lyn Dobson - soprano saxophone, flute
  • Jimmy Hastings - flute, bass clarinet
  • Rab Spall - violin
  • Nick Evans - trombone
Complete Track-listing of the album "SOFT MACHINE - Third 2LP Gatefold"

The detailed tracklist of this record "SOFT MACHINE - Third 2LP Gatefold" is:

    Track-listing:
  1. "Facelift" (Hugh Hopper) - 18:45
  2. "Slightly All the Time" (Mike Ratledge) - 18:12 Including: "Noisette" (Hopper), "Backwards" (Ratledge) and "Noisette Reprise" (Hopper)
  3. "Moon in June" (Robert Wyatt) - 19:08
  4. "Out-Bloody-Rageous" (Ratledge) - 19:10

 

High Quality Photo of Album Front Cover  "SOFT MACHINE - Third 2LP Gatefold"
High Resolution Photos of soft machine third   
Album Back Cover  Photo of "SOFT MACHINE - Third 2LP Gatefold"
High Resolution Photos of soft machine third   
Inner Sleeve   of "SOFT MACHINE - Third 2LP Gatefold" Album
High Resolution Photos of soft machine third   
Photo of "SOFT MACHINE - Third 2LP Gatefold" Album's Inner Sleeve  
High Resolution Photos of soft machine third   
Photo of "SOFT MACHINE - Third 2LP Gatefold" 12" LP Record
High Resolution Photos of soft machine third   
Close-up Photo of "SOFT MACHINE - Third 2LP Gatefold" Record Label 
High Resolution Photos of soft machine third   

Note: The images on this page are photos of the actual album. Slight differences in color may exist due to the use of the camera's flash.

Innovative and Experimental: The Progressive Rock Discography of Soft Machine

SOFT MACHINE - Soft Machine Fourth
Thumbnail of SOFT MACHINE - Soft Machine Fourth 12" Vinyl LP Album
 album front cover

Barclay XBLY 080 439 U , 1971 , France

Fourth is the 1971 studio album by the Canterbury band "Soft Machine". The album is also titled Four or 4 in the USA; the numeral "4" is the title as shown on the cover in all countries, but a written-out title appears on the spine and label.

Soft Machine Fourth 12" Vinyl LP

SOFT MACHINE - Super Group Vol 2 Rivmic Melodies

Thumbnail of SOFT MACHINE - Super Group Vol 2 Rivmic Melodies 12" Vinyl LP Album
 album front cover

Barclay 0921019 , Year , Country

"Volume Two" is the LP by The Soft Machine, first released in 1969. A jazz influence is introduced to the humour, dadaism, and psychedelia of The Soft Machine (1968). The album was inspired by Frank Zappa's Absolutely Free ,

Super Group Vol 2 Rivmic Melodies 12" Vinyl LP

SOFT MACHINE - Self-Titled

Thumbnail of SOFT MACHINE - Self-Titled Barclay France 12" Vinyl LP Album
 album front cover

Barclay 0920 082 / Super-Panache T / License Yameta

"The Soft Machine" is the debut album by the British psychedelic rock band "Soft Machine", one of the central bands in the Canterbury scene.

Self-Titled Barclay France 12" Vinyl LP

SOFT MACHINE - Third

Thumbnail of SOFT MACHINE - Third 12" Vinyl 2LP Album
 album front cover

Barclay 920 224 , Year , Country

  Third is the 1970 double LP by "Soft Machine", with each side of the original vinyl consisting of a single long composition. Its music explores the emerging jazz fusion of the type present on Miles Davis' Bitches Brew, which was released just a few months earlier.

Third 12" Vinyl 2LP