Robert Wyatt is an artist who, I feel, I liked before I actually heard much by him. In the 1970s I knew very early stuff like Memories on Daevid Allen's Bananamoon album, and the hit single I'm A Believer before being underwhelmed by what I heard of Soft Machine, apart from the John Peel version of Moon In June.
It wasn't until much later (post Shipbuilding) that I really explored his solo work, and this album was one of the last I came to. And listening now, perhaps that's for the best - it's not accessible. It's not a bad album, but if it's Wyatt songs you're after, you'll be disappointed. Recorded before Soft Machine split, most of the album is a series of short-ish free jazz pieces dedicated to his friends and colleagues. Some work better than others, but there's nothing that inspires.
2* - A very disappointing solo debut, which feels self-indulgent, rather than showing the beauty we know Wyatt will later produce.
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