**Art Edition. De-luxe edition of 69 signed and numbered copies  including two 7” records and two Baryt-Fine-Art photo prints (18x24cm) “William Burroughs in the Bunker, NYC 1981” and “Ian Sommerville at 8, Duke Street, London 1973” signed by Udo Breger.**  Alga Marghen in collaboration with Expanded Media Editions is proud to present the final issue of “Soft Need”, a publication centered on the work of William Burroughs and expanding its deep influences into contemporary consciousness.

Founded in 1973 as a reaction to the aftermath of a three weeks’ stay across Xmas and New Year’s with Brion Gysin and Burroughs by their confidant Udo Breger, “Soft Need“ had its roots in the underground press of the previous two decades and at the same time became a prototype for the forthcoming fanzine scene. Even if only 3 numbers were issued in the 70s (SN#8 in 1973 followed by SN#9 in 1976 and SN#17 “The Brion Gysin Special“ in 1977, all in print-runs of 300 to 500 copies) it quickly became a legendary publication for both Burroughs fans and those interested in counterculture experimental poetry artists’ editions. Almost half a century later, the last edition “Soft Need 23“ is now issued including exclusive material by William Burroughs and Brion Gysin as well as multi-media contributions by eighty international authors and artists.        

Issued in an edition limited to 431 copies “Soft Need 23” is a 260-page art book reflecting on the contemporary relevance of historical works by Burroughs and Gysin within the frame of the Beat Generation. Dedicated to Ian Sommerville, the English electronic technician and computer programmer who was collaborating with Brion Gysin to the development of the early Dreammachine and programmed the computer-generated random sequences that Gysin used in his early cut-ups, the book present 190 illustrations, literary essays, photographs, poetry, visual art, caricature, memories and a vast array of ephemera by William Burroughs, Brion Gysin, Allen Ginsberg, Louise Landes Levi, Gregory Corso, Jean-Jacques Lebel, John Armleder, Paul-Armand Gette, Peter Weibel, Carl Michael von Hausswolff, Sonic Boom, Papiro, James Grauerholz, Robert Wilson and many, many others.        

“Soft Need 23” de-luxe box-set edition strictly limited to 69 signed copies includes two 7” records and two Baryt-Fine-Art photo prints (18x24cm) “William Burroughs in the Bunker, NYC 1981” and “Ian Sommerville at 8, Duke Street, London 1973” signed by Udo Breger. The first single is a split 7” with William Burroughs’ previously unreleased “A Top Level Conference Is In Progress“ and Brion Gysin’s “Junk“. The second 7” includes Papiro’s electronic lullaby “Dream Journal (for Udo)“ and Sonic Boom’s unreleased instrumental version of “Just a Little Piece of Me“.  This second split-single with consonant musicians Sonic Boom and Papiro is also available as a free-standing release.        

A large format (32x24cm) book printed in 4/4-color and featuring a thread-sewn visible binding, “Soft Need 23” is a multi-media journey into William Burroughs and Brion Gysin underground world connecting them to the Beat Generation counterculture and revealing their influences on following generations. So step right in, and beyond!