The Wilde Flowers
The Wilde Flowers

Released in 2015 by the UK-based label Floating World Records, this Double-disc set by THE WILDE FLOWERS is in fact an expanded re-issue of the Voiceprint’s single-disc album, “Tales of Canterbury” plus a disc of previously unpublished materials. It brings together 36 tracks, all licensed courtesy of Robert Wyatt, and appears to be the most comprehensive edition to date of the back-catalog recordings by the legendary band which is generally praised as an archetypal Canterbury Scene formation. The musicians featured over the set are: Robert Wyatt, Brian and Hugh Hopper (on most of the tracks), Kevin Ayers, Richard Sinclair, Richard Coughlan, Pye Hastings, Graham Flight, as well as David Lawrence and Dave Smith (members of ZOBE, Brian Hopper’s post-WF band), plus Mike Ratledge and David Sinclair (as guesting collaborators). Disc 1 (22 tracks clocking in at 58 minutes) collects the songs created between 1964 and 1969: some of them are rather naive and tentative, too simple and raw pop-beat melodic tunes, but there are also tracks showing a definite strength, originality, and tendency toward much more idiosyncratic, adventurous, and complex Prog-Jazz-Rock music, somewhat in the spirit of the Wyatt-era Soft Machine albums. Disc 2 (12 tracks, 69 minutes) is of my special interest collecting rare tracks: by duos and trios of Robert Wyatt, Brian and Hugh Hopper recorded in various combinations in 1962-1964 and in 2003; by Robert Wyatt and Mike Ratledge duo recorded in 1962/63; as well as other archival gems from 1962-1968 featuring Wyatt and the Hopper brothers. Most of these recordings are just on-spot improvisations or experimental sketches with a special flavor of early Soft Machine's recordings, very interesting and enjoyable despite multiple flaws, defects, failures, etc. Summing up, because of archival demo-quality, THE WILDE FLOWERS’ recordings are not for masses. But if you consider that this band has never released anything during their existence, and if you have strong interest in early Canterbury Scene, Hugh Hopper or Robert Wyatt’s legacy – this 2CD set is definitely should be checked up and purchased. Comes with a 24-page booklet with rare photos and an extensive tale by Brian Hopper.