condition (record/cover):  NM / EX

Gatefold sleeve.

The 1983 Virgin UK 2-for-1 reissue (catalog VGD 3505) combining Robert Wyatt's two 1974-75 Virgin solo albums in a single gatefold double-LP package. Rock Bottom (originally Virgin V 2017, July 1974) and Ruth Is Stranger Than Richard (originally Virgin V 2034, May 1975) are the early pair of records that established Wyatt's solo voice after his 1973 fall from a window left him paraplegic and ended his drumming career.

Rock Bottom was recorded across late 1973 and early 1974 with Nick Mason of Pink Floyd producing and a guest list including Hugh Hopper, Mike Oldfield, Richard Sinclair, Ivor Cutler, Mongezi Feza, Gary Windo and Laurie Allan. The album's six pieces ("Sea Song", "A Last Straw", "Little Red Riding Hood Hit The Road", "Alifib", "Alife", "Little Red Robin Hood Hit The Road") sit between art-song, free improvisation and Canterbury-derived ensemble interplay, with Wyatt's multi-tracked voice carrying the entire emotional weight. Ruth Is Stranger Than Richard (1975) is the more jazz-leaning follow-up, with arrangements drawn from Phil Manzanera, Fred Frith, Mongezi Feza, Brian Hopper and Charlie Haden compositions, Wyatt's voice and keyboards backed by Bill MacCormick, Laurie Allan, George Khan and Gary Windo.

The pressing on offer is the 1983 Virgin UK 2LP gatefold reissue on VGD 3505, EMI Records pressing variant, not the 1974/75 original first issues (V 2017 and V 2034 respectively). The most convenient way to own both records in a single object, and the version that keeps both records in circulation.