Search Results for “test pressing”

Monkees – The Monkees sealed 1980 Japan LP with obi

Monkees - The Monkees sealed Japan LP with obi

Offered for sale is a still sealed Japanese pressing of The Monkees, the first album by the Monkees.

This album features an alternate cover from the U.S. release.

About this copy: This copy of The Monkees is a 1980 Japanese pressing on the Arista label of an album that was originally released in 1966.

As the album is sealed, the record is presumably new and unplayed.

A nice copy of a terrific album.

Background: The Monkees, released in 1966, was the first of several best-selling albums by the made-for-TV band. Backed by the Wrecking Crew, the band took the album to #1 on the U.S. charts, helped by the hit single “Last Train to Clarksville” as well as the theme song from the TV show.

Allmusic.com gave The Monkees a 4 star review:

The Monkees’ first album was a huge success, following on the number one single “Last Train to Clarksville.” The Monkees spent 78 weeks on the Billboard chart including an astounding 13 weeks at number one. The record wasn’t only a commercial juggernaut, it also stands as one of the great debuts of all time, and while the record and the group have faced criticism from rock purists through the ages, it stands the test of time perfectly well, sounding as alive and as much fun 40 years later.

You can listen to “Sweet Young Thing” here:

This item is eligible for PayPal Credit financing by PayPal. U.S. customers may choose to pay later at checkout, and may receive up to six months financing with no interest. Click the banner below for more information. (opens in a new window)

Country of origin:	Japan
Size:	12″
Record Label:	Arista
Catalog Number:	18RS-27
Year of Release:	1980
Format:	Stereo
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Jimi Hendrix – Band of Gypsys Japan LP with rare puppet cover and obi

Offered for sale is a rare Japanese pressing of Band of Gypsys by Jimi Hendrix, including the original obi and featuring the rare “puppet” cover.

This is the cover that was originally used for the UK issue that was withdrawn there shortly after release.

Original Japanese issues had the same cover as the U.S. issue, but this 1980 reissue was briefly available with the “puppet” cover that depicted Hendrix, Brian Jones, Bob Dylan, and British DJ John Peel as puppets.

About this copy: This copy of Band of Gypsys is a 1980 Japanese pressing of an LP that was originally released in 1970 with a different cover.

The cover is M-with trace corner wear. The obi is VG++ and close to M- with slight wear at the top edge. The lyric insert is M-.

The disc is M- and looks unplayed.

A nice copy of a terrific LP that’s rarely found with this cover, as most Japanese issues featured the U.S. cover photo.

Background:

Released in June, 1970, Band of Gypsys was the first live album by Jimi Hendrix. Despite mixed reviews, the album reached the top 10 in both the U.S. and the UK.

Allmusic.com gave Band of Gypsys a 4 1/2 star review:

Band of Gypsys was the only live recording authorized by Jimi Hendrix before his death. It was recorded and released in order to get Hendrix out from under a contractual obligation that had been hanging over his head for a couple years. …The music was a seamless melding of rock, funk, and R&B, and tunes like “Message to Love” and “Power to Love” showed a new lyrical direction as well. Although he could be an erratic live performer, for these shows, Hendrix was on — perhaps his finest performances. … The solo on “Machine Gun” totally rewrote the book on what a man could do with an electric guitar and is arguably the most groundbreaking and devastating guitar solo ever. …. Band of Gypsys is not only an important part of the Hendrix legacy, but one of the greatest live albums ever.

This record is eligible for PayPal Credit financing by PayPal. U.S. customers may choose to pay later at checkout, and may receive up to six months financing with no interest. Click the banner below for more information. (opens in a new window)

Country of origin:	Japan
Size:	12″
Record Label:	Polydor
Catalog Number:	MPX 4010
Year of Release:	1980
Format:	Stereo
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Jimi Hendrix – Band of Gypsys Japan LP with rare puppet cover and obi

jimi hendrix - band of gypsys japan puppet cover lp

Offered for sale is a rare Japanese pressing of Band of Gypsys by Jimi Hendrix, including the original obi and featuring the rare “puppet” cover.

This is the cover that was originally used for the UK issue that was withdrawn there shortly after release.

About this copy: This copy of Band of Gypsys is a 1977 Japanese pressing of an LP that was originally released in 1970 with a different cover.

The cover is M-. The obi is M-. The lyric insert is M-.

The disc is M- and looks unplayed.

A nice copy of a terrific LP that’s rarely found with this cover, as most Japanese issues featured the U.S. cover photo.

Background:

Released in June, 1970, Band of Gypsys was the first live album by Jimi Hendrix. Despite mixed reviews, the album reached the top 10 in both the U.S. and the UK.

Allmusic.com gave Band of Gypsys a 4 1/2 star review:

Country of origin:	Japan
Size:	12″
Record Label:	Polydor
Catalog Number:	MPF 1078
Year of Release:	1977
Format:	Stereo
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Metallica – Death Magnetic U.S. 5 LP 45 RPM half speed mastered box set with CD

metallica - death magnetic u.s. 45 rpm lp

Offered for sale is a copy of the U.S. limited edition 45 RPM half speed mastered 4 LP box set pressing of Death Magnetic by Metallica.

This copy also includes a compact disc copy of the album

About this copy: This copy of Death Magnetic is a 2008 U.S. pressing on the Warner Brothers label.

The box is M-. The inserts are M-.

The five album covers (only one is shown in photos) are M-.

The five180 gram 45 RPM discs are M- and look unplayed. Clean discs! The CD and cover are M-.

A nearly perfect copy of a rare Metallica set.

Background: Starting in 2008, Metallica released their entire catalog in the form of limited edition, high quality, half speed mastered 180 gram pressings.

These were issued at both 33 1/3 speed and also at 45 RPM for better sound quality.

Released in 1996, Death Magnetic was the ninth studio album by Metallica.

The album reached #4 on the UK charts and #1 in the U.S.

Allmusic.com gave Death Magnetic a 4 star review:

Call Death Magnetic Kirk Hammett’s revenge. Famously browbeaten into accepting Lars Ulrich and producers Bob Rock’s dictum that guitar solos were “dated” and thereby verboten for 2003’s St. Anger — a fraught recording chronicled on the 2004 documentary Some Kind of Monster — Metallica’s lead guitarist dominates this 2008 sequel, playing with an euphoric fury not heard in years, if not decades.

Listening to the band play, it’s hard not to thrill at Metallica’s mastery of aggression and escalation. There is no denying that the band is older and settled, no longer fueled by the hunger and testosterone that made their ’80s albums so gripping, but on Death Magnetic older doesn’t mean less potent. Metallica is still vitally violent and on this terrific album — a de facto comeback, even if they never really went away — they’re finally acting like they enjoy being a great rock band.

Country of origin:	U.S.
Size:	12″
Record Label:	Warner Brothers
Catalog Number:	512119-1
Year of Release:	2008
Format:	Stereo
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Janos Starker – Complete Suites For Unaccompanied Cello Japan 3 LP box with obi

Janos Starker – Complete Suites For Unaccompanied Cello Japan LP

Offered for sale is a Japanese copy of the 3 LP box set Complete Suites For Unaccompanied Cello by Janos Starker, including the original obi.

We believe this set to be unplayed new old stock.

About this copy: This copy of Complete Suites For Unaccompanied Cello is a 1980 Japanese pressing on the Philips label of an album that was originally released in 1965.

The box is M-. The obi is VG with fading, but no tears. The insert is M-. The three original paper inner sleeves are M-.

The three discs are M- and appear to be unplayed. Beautiful discs!

A nearly perfect copy of an album that has long been sought out by both audiophiles and classical music collectors.

Background: Janos Starker (1924-2013) is widely considered to be one of the greatest cellists of all time.

His 1963-1965 recordings of Complete Suites For Unaccompanied Cello are regarded as definitive and are also an example of an exceptionally well-recorded album.

Original copies of the U.S. pressing of the album have sold for more than $2000.

Here is what the Absolute Sound had to say about Complete Suites for Unaccompanied Cello:

For all his disclaimers, it’s widely agreed that Starker’s recorded performances of the Bach Suites are as close to definitive as any performance can be. The combination of musical intensity and beauty with his all but incomparable technique is irresistible. Arguably, only Feuermann achieved a comparable physical mastery of the cello, and on these Mercury recordings Starker was at the height of his technical powers. Starker’s style, in which expressiveness is abundant but all traces of schmaltz or gratuitous emotion are banished, suits the music of Bach perfectly.

Country of origin:	Japan
Size:	12″
Record Label:	Philips
Catalog Number:	15PC-107~109
Year of Release:	1980
Format:	Stereo
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Peter, Paul & Mary – Peter, Paul & Mary autographed 1962 U.S. mono LP

Peter, Paul & Mary - Peter, Paul & Mary u.s. autographed lp

Offered for sale is an original U.S. mono pressing of Peter, Paul and Mary by Peter, Paul and Mary, autographed by all three members.

About this copy: This copy of Peter, Paul and Mary is a 1962 U.S. mono pressing on the gray Warner Brothers label.

This LP comes from our personal collection. It was acquired in the mid-1980s from the estate of a former nightclub owner in Dallas, Texas.

This club frequently had popular jazz, blues and pop artists perform there, and the owner routinely had every artist sign a copy of their latest album for him. Nearly every album in the collection was a new and virtually unplayed first pressing. We had quite a few pieces from this collection at one time, and kept a handful of titles for our own collection.

The owner’s name was Charles, and most of the autographs, including this one, were inscribed to him.

The cover is M- and looks like new. There is a tiny dent in the upper left hand corner.

The back cover has been autographed in blue ballpoint pen. Peter Yarrow has written “To Charles, Thanks From Peter Yarrow.” Paul Stookey has signed his name below that, and Mary has signed her name below Paul’s as “Mary A. Travers.”

The original Warner inner sleeve is M- and has no splits. The disc is M- and looks (and probably is) unplayed. Beautiful disc!

An absolutely gorgeous fully autographed copy of one of the most important folk albums of the 1960s.

Background: Released in 1962, Peter, Paul and Mary was the debut LP by the folk trio of Peter, Paul and Mary.

The album reached #1 on the U.S. album chart and has long been an audiophile favorite.

Allmusic.com gave Peter, Paul and Mary a 4 star review:

The debut album by Peter, Paul & Mary is still one of the best albums to come out of the 1960s folk music revival. It’s a beautifully harmonized collection of the best songs that the group knew, stirring in its sensibilities and its haunting melodies as it crosses between folk, children’s songs, and even gospel… Peter, Paul & Mary, which hit the top spot on the album charts as part of a 185-week run, is the purest of the trio’s albums, laced with innocent good spirits and an optimism that remains infectious.

Country of origin:
Size:	12″
Record Label:
Catalog Number:
Year of Release:
Format:	Stereo
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Sergio Mendes/Wanda de Sah – Brasil ’65 original red vinyl Japan LP with obi

Sergio Mendes/Wanda de Sah - Brasil '65 red vinyl Japan LP

Offered for sale is an original red vinyl Japanese pressing of Brasil ’65 by the Sergio Mendes Trio featuring Wanda de Sah, including the original obi.

About this copy: This copy of Brasil ’65 is a 1967 Japanese pressing on the Capitol label, pressed in “Everclean” red vinyl.

While this album was originally issued in 1965 in the U.S., the album was not released in Japan until 1967.

The cover is VG++ and close to M- with a small crease near the right hand edge. The obi is M-. The “hojyuhyo” (reorder tag), is still attached.

This LP was issued without a lyric insert.

The original envelope-style inner sleeve is VG++ with a few minor wrinkles.

The red vinyl disc is VG++ and close to M-, with a couple of faint scuffs on each side. The album has clearly had very little play.

A nice copy of a terrific album that is rarely found complete.

Background: Released in 1965, Brasil ’65 was the seventh album by Sergio Mendes, though singer Wanda de Sah is featured more prominently on the cover.

Allmusic.com gave Brasil ’65 a 4 star review:

In 1965, Sergio Mendes and his trio conducted their first out-of-Brazil experiment: They recorded in L.A. for the first time in what proved to be their first major move into the U.S. market and their embrace of the new bossa nova sound. Accompanying the Mendes band were then-great vocalist Wanda de Sah and guitarist Rosinha de Valenca. This is deeply swinging bossa; it is crisp and pops out at the listener in every conceivable way. It features exotic and pioneering rhythmic work, smooth accessibility, and sophisticated melodies, many of which were written by the hottest talents in Brazil…. This stands with Mendes’ best work from Brazil and is truly one of his American highlights.

You can listen to “Berimbau” here:

Country of origin:	Japan
Size:	12″
Record Label:	Capitol
Catalog Number:	CP-8181
Year of Release:	1967
Format:	Stereo
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Johnny Mathis – Heavenly U.S. half speed mastered Mobile Fidelity audiophile LP

Johnny Mathis - Heavenly mobile fidelity lp

Offered for sale is a copy of the limited edition half speed mastered U.S. pressing of Heavenly by Johnny Mathis, issued by Mobile Fidelity Sound Labs.

About this copy: This copy of Heavenly is a 1983 U.S. pressing on the Mobile Fidelity Label, though the disc was pressed in Japan by JVC using their proprietary “Supervinyl” compound.

The cover is M-. The posterboard stiffener is M-. The two generic Mobile Fidelity inserts are M-.

The disc is M- and looks unplayed. Clean disc!

A beautiful copy of a somewhat scarce Mobile Fidelity LP. Well-recorded album, too.

Background: Released in 1959, Heavenly was the eighth album by Johnny Mathis.

The album reached #1 on the U.S. album charts, helped by the single “Misty,” which reached #12 on the U.S. singles charts.

Allmusic.com gave Heavenly a 4 1/2 star review:

Heavenly is Johnny Mathis’ most successful regular album release, exceeded in his catalog only by the compilation Johnny’s Greatest Hits and the seasonal Merry Christmas collection. It’s not hard to understand why; this record is the epitome of Mathis’ approach to music. … As a result, he was a recording veteran while still being fresh enough to give his performances real feeling. It all came together on Heavenly, Mathis’ longest running number one album which spent more than five-and-a-half years in the charts.

Country of origin:	U.S.
Size:	12″
Record Label:	Mobile Fidelity
Catalog Number:	MFSL 1-171
Year of Release:	1983
Format:	Stereo
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The Yardbirds – Featuring Performances by Jeff Beck, Eric Clapton, Jimmy Page sealed U.S. 2 LP set

yardbirds - featuring performances by U.S. lp

Offered for sale is a still sealed copy of the 1970 U.S. double album The Yardbirds Featuring Performances by Jeff Beck, Eric Clapton, Jimmy Page by the Yardbirds.

About this copy: This copy of The Yardbirds Featuring Performances by Jeff Beck, Eric Clapton, Jimmy Page is a 1970 U.S. pressing on the (presumably) yellow Epic label.

As the album is still sealed, the records are presumably new and unplayed.

The wrap is fully intact with no rips, tears, or holes. There are no saw marks, punch holes, or cut corners in the cover.

There is a hype sticker on the front that says “2 RECORD SET SPECIAL LOW PRICE.” A second hype sticker on the back cover lists the titles of the 20 songs on the LP. An original price sticker is attached to the front cover (price not shown.)

A beautiful copy of a very rare Yardbirds LP and the only sealed copy we’ve ever seen.

Background: Released in 1970, The Yardbirds Featuring Performances by Jeff Beck, Eric Clapton, Jimmy Page was a 2 LP compilation album that was released only in the United States.

The 20 tracks on the album are songs that were not included on the 1967 release The Yardbirds Greatest Hits.

Allmusic.com gave The Yardbirds Featuring Performances by Jeff Beck, Eric Clapton, Jimmy Page a 4 star review:

Epic was in an odd situation where the Yardbirds were concerned in 1970. The group’s demise in mid-1968, after enjoying two minors hit and a non-charting singles over the previous year, had scarcely been noticed on a corporate level at the time — there was already a greatest-hits album out on them, and in most instances, that would have been the end of the matter. But the powers that were couldn’t ignore the fact that the group had morphed by way of guitarist Jimmy Page into the mega-selling Led Zeppelin; or that Epic happened to hold, in the Yardbirds’ library, the largest commercial body of early work by Page, as well as Jeff Beck and Eric Clapton, both of whom were still selling lots of records. Thus came the first double-album anthology ever issued on this band, Performance by Clapton, Beck & Page. Indeed, along with self-titled double LP set The Kinks, issued the same year from Pye Records in England on that band, this was the first attempt at something bigger than a hits anthology ever issued on a British Invasion band; and this set was the first time that a major label had acknowledged any of these bands (or any rock & roll group) seriously enough to try and distill the work of their key soloists, almost the way a jazz compilation might be put together — in that sense, this set anticipates the double-LP History of Eric Clapton (1972). And given that the group’s biggest hits were already spoken for on The Yardbirds’ Greatest Hits, this set holds up astonishingly well as a fair representation of their more ambitious work, encompassing rock & roll, British blues, raga rock, psychedelia, and psychedelic pop.

Country of origin:	U.S.
Size:	12″
Record Label:	Epic
Catalog Number:	EG 30135
Year of Release:	1970
Format:	Stereo
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Dave Brubeck – Time Out U.S. Columbia 6 eye mono LP

Offered for sale is a an early 1960s Mono pressing of Time Out by the Dave Brubeck Quartet on the Columbia”6 eye” label

About this copy: This copy of Time Out is an early mono second pressing on the original Columbia “6 eye” label that was in use from the time of the album’s original 1959 release until early 1962.

This is technically a second issue; probably from 1960. The LP cover does mention the song “Take Five” but the label does not have a small “CBS” at the very top, which was added to the label in 1961.

The cover is VG , with wear at the mouth and bottom edge

The disc is VG, with a few light marks on each side. It should play well.

A nice play copy of an iconic jazz album.

Background: There isn’t much to say about Time Out that hasn’t been said before; the album is generally regarded as one of the greatest jazz albums of all time, and perhaps one of the greatest albums of all time regardless of genre.

AllMusic.com gave Time Out a 5 star review:

Dave Brubeck’s defining masterpiece, Time Out is one of the most rhythmically innovative albums in jazz history, the first to consciously explore time signatures outside of the standard 4/4 beat or 3/4 waltz time. It was a risky move — Brubeck’s record company wasn’t keen on releasing such an arty project, and many critics initially roasted him for tampering with jazz’s rhythmic foundation. But for once, public taste was more advanced than that of the critics. Buoyed by a hit single in altoist Paul Desmond’s ubiquitous “Take Five,” Time Out became an unexpectedly huge success, and still ranks as one of the most popular jazz albums ever. This belongs in even the most rudimentary jazz collection.

You can listen to “Take Five” here:

This record is eligible for PayPal Credit financing by PayPal. U.S. customers may choose to pay later at checkout, and may receive up to six months financing with no interest (conditions apply.) Click the banner below for more information. (opens in a popup window)

Country of origin:	U.S.
Size:	12″
Record Label:	Columbia
Catalog Number:	CL 1397
Year of Release:	1960
Format:	Mono
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