You might make a case that the countryish tinge of a couple of cuts here (“Just As You Are” and “A Beautiful Peace”) could qualify this veteran Brit for inclusion within these pages, but the truth is that Robert Wyatt’s singularity doesn’t fit anywhere. Even by the genre-unto-himself standards of the Soft Machine alum, this three-act opus is all over the map (literally, with act three mostly sung in Italian and Spanish). Yet anyone who connects with haunting melodies, intelligent lyrics, arrangements that are both organic and atmospheric (Paul Weller, Brian Eno and Eno’s former Roxy Music bandmate Phil Manzanera are among the Wyatt devotees providing accompaniment), and vocals that are among the most heartbreakingly plaintive this side of Chet Baker should seek this out. From an artist best known for “Shipbuilding” (written expressly for him by Elvis Costello) and his transformation of “I’m A Believer,” this likely will rank with the richest and most rewarding releases of the year.