Robert Wyatt is one of the wonders of the music planet. Is there even a bad record with Wyatt's connection in existence? I don't think so. When you're going through his catalog of recordings, you're choosing from pretty good to exceptionally perfect. So you can't lose with Wyatt. "68'" is an album or is it a set of demos? Recorded after his American tour with Soft Machine on the same bill with The Jimi Hendrix Experience, Wyatt stayed in America to record this album and hang out with Jimi and gang. Very much a self-recording with some assistance from Hendrix playing bass on "Slow Walkin' Talk" and fellow Soft Machine pals Hugh Hopper and Mike Ratledge on "Moon in June," this is very much Wyatt on all vocals and instruments.
The essential jazzy touch and "Rock Bottom" aesthetic is very much part of this early recording by Wyatt. The standout tracks (out of four) are "Moon in June" which is both free-form as well as a tight 'pop' melody and an amazing song "Chelsea" which was either co-written by Kevin Ayers or perhaps with the help of very early Soft Machine member Daevid Allen. "Chelsea" is a Wyatt beauty with a prominent organ playing throughout the song. The album is very much the bridge between the first Soft Machine album and Wyatt's "Rock Bottom." Essential for the Wyatt fan, and if you're not, you should be one.
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