SOFT MACHINE The Soft Machine (Super Rare 1969 Japanese 13-track advance promotional sample deep groove stereo LP with customn black on white labels. The landmark debut album from Robert Wyatt, Kevin Ayers & Mike Ratledge. Comes housed in a unique non-gatefold pasted picture sleeve which puts the uncensored image of the nude girl from the back cover of the first US edition on the front (she was later covered with a bikini on American re-releases)! This is a very elusive title that even our Japanese buyer struggles to find - we do not believe an obi-strip was ever issued & the LP could well have been withdrawn, which would explain its rarity, and this promo issue is much more rarer. The back cover features a unique green tinted image of the band that was on the inner gatefold of the US version in full colour, complete with a Japanese/lyric insert with printed "1969" date. The matte cover is is in a really nice condition, there is a tiny nick on the open edge otherwise displays mild signs of age, with all text legible. The fantastic artwork has lost none of its impact, there is no writing & this would appear to be one of the few surviving copies out there on the market. The label have minimal to no signs of seeing a turntable and heavyweight vinyl is extremly clean, remainingh in a 'near mint' condition. An amazing find! SR-303)