Jet-Propelled Photographs [IMPORT]

Soft Machine

Product Details

• Audio CD (July 1, 1999)
• Original Release Date: 1997
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import
• Label: Charly UK
• ASIN: B00000365V
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #537,977 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Soft Machine - 'Jet-Propelled Photographs' (Charly), December 10, 2004

By	Mike Reed (USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

'Jet-Propelled...' is apparently a collection of 'never intended to be heard' demos.I've always thought this was Soft Machine's first actual lp,but I was wrong.The nine demos were recorded in 1967 by the original short-lived line-up of Robert Wyatt-vocals&drums,Kevin Ayers-lead vocals,Daevid Allen-guitar and Mike Ratledge-piano&organ.The demos were produced by the legendary Giorgio Gomelsky(one time member of Magma).'Jet...' has been reissued several times and it seems the disc features a completely different cover each time,this one's a beauty.Best described as eccentric British psych,not that far a cry from the Floyd/Syd Barrett era.With tracks like "Save Yourself","She's Gone" and "I'd Rather Be With You" sounding pretty good for demos,makes this CD worth giving a spin every now and again.There's only like three Soft Machine CD's I even like and this one tends to show the band at their most pop/song oriented era.Not a bad find.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Allen, Ayers, Ratledge and Wyatt together..., October 24, 1999

By	Marcos Henrique (Piraju, SP Brazil) - See all my reviews

Although some reviews I've read complain about Allen's guitar work, I consider it pretty good (of course, Gong's guitar work is much better). But if you don't have the single "Love Makes Sweet Music/Feelin'Reelin'Squealin" (just like me; does anybody know where I cand find it on CD?), it's perfect. The version of "Jet-Propelled Photographs" presented here, sung by Wyatt, is much better than the one presented at "Shooting at the Moon". And "When I Don't Want You" is pretty good too.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Embryonic Gong? Prenatal Soft Machine? you decide!, October 13, 1999

By	happydogpotatohead "happydogpotatohead" (New Orleans, LA USA) - See all my reviews

As you might expect, this sounds a little like a combination between early Soft Machine and early Gong, primarily due to the presence of Daevid Allen, Gong's master loony. Daevid doesn't sing, but he plays some truly odd - and sometimes quite awful - guitar solos, and contributes to the overall attitude of fresh-faced looney whimsy. Robert Wyatt's drumming and vocals are of course utterly brilliant. Kevin Ayers contributes a couple of songs, and there are early versions of songs that would later appear in other forms on Soft Machine albums. Recording quality is adequate and the band seems under-rehearsed, which is forgivable as this was a rushed session set up by the infamous Giorgio Gomelsky to make a demo tape. It was never intended to be released to the public, but of course it was. This isn't just for Softs and Gong completists, but it sure helps if you are one. There are some great psych-pop songs on here, but it is obvious that both Daevid Allen and the Softs' best work was yet to come. Still a worthwhile diversion.