Temptations – All Directions 1972 U.S. LP shrink

Temptations - All Directions 1972 U.S. LP

Offered for sale is an original U.S. pressing of All Directions by the Temptations, with the cover still in the original shrink wrap.

About this copy: This copy of All Directions is a 1972 U.S. pressing on the Gordy label.

The cover is M- and still has the original shrink wrap.

The disc is M- with one or two very faint sleeve scuffs, but no spindle marks on the labels and no significant marks on the vinyl.  Clean disc!

This disc was pressed at the RCA Hollywood pressing plant on “Dynaflex” vinyl; it weighs only 95 grams.

This comes from our own collection; we bought it sealed and probably played it twice.

A nice copy of a classic R&B LP.

Background: Released in 1972, All Directions was the sixteenth album by the Temptations.

The album reached #2 on the U.S. charts, helped by the single “Papa Was a Rolling Stone.”  The album reached #19 on the UK chart.

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

A monster album, the one that put them back in the spotlight and signaled that Norman Whitfield had saved the day. Damon Harris had replaced Eddie Kendricks, and there were many doubters convinced the band was finished. Instead, Whitfield revitalized them via the majestic single, “Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone.” Despite its length, Whitfield’s decision to open with an extensive, multi-layered musical suite and tease listeners was a master stroke.

Country of origin: U.S.
Size: 12″
Record Label: Gordy
Catalog Number:
G 962L
Year of Release: 1972
Format: Stereo
Share: Facebooktwitterredditpinterestlinkedinmail

Alan Parsons Project – Tales of Mystery and Imagination Canada yellow vinyl LP

Alan Parsons Project - Tales of Mystery and Imagination Canada yellow vinyl LP

Offered for sale is a still sealed limited edition yellow vinyl Canadian pressing of Tales of Mystery and Imagination: Edgar Allan Poe by the Alan Parsons Project.

About this copy: This copy of Tales of Mystery and Imagination: Edgar Allan Poe is a 1978 Canadian pressing on the 20th Century Fox Records label.

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

The wrap is fully intact with no rips, tears, or holes.  There is a hype sticker on the cover that says “LIMITED EDITION COLOURED VINYL” in both English and French.

Unlike most copies, this one does not have a cutout hole.

A virtually perfect copy of a terrific LP, as opened copies of this album almost always have significant ring wear on the cover.

Background:Released in 1976, Tales of Mystery and Imagination: Edgar Allan Poe was the debut LP by the Alan Parsons Project.

The album reached #38 on the U.S. charts and #56 in the UK.

Allmusic.com gave Tales of Mystery and Imagination: Edgar Allan Poe a 4 1/2 star review:

Tales of Mystery and Imagination is an extremely mesmerizing aural journey through some of Edgar Allan Poe’s most renowned works. With the use of synthesizers, drums, guitar, and even a glockenspiel, Parsons’ shivering effects make way for an eerie excursion into Poe’s well-known classics. … With vocalists Terry Sylvester, John Miles, and Eric Woolfson stretched across each track, this variety of different singing styles adds color and design to the album’s air. Without any underlying theme to be pondered upon, Alan Parsons instead paints a vivid picture of one of the most alluring literary figures in history by musically reciting his most famous works in expert fashion.

 

Country of origin: Canada
Size: 12″
Record Label: 20th Century Fox
Catalog Number:
9209-508
Year of Release: 1978
Format: Stereo
Share: Facebooktwitterredditpinterestlinkedinmail

Todd Rundgren – Runt 1970 U.S. Ampex LP in shrink

Todd Rundgren - Runt 1970 U.S. Ampex LP

Offered for sale is an original U.S. pressing of Runt, the first album by Todd Rundgren, with the cover still in the shrink wrap.

Note: This is an original U.S. pressing, and not the common counterfeit pressing. (see below)

About this copy: This copy of Runt is a 1970 U.S. pressing on the blue Ampex label.

The cover is M- and is still in the original shrink wrap.

The disc is VG++ and close to M- with a couple of faint sleeve scuffs.  This version of the LP plays the tracks listed on the cover and label.  This is a Monarch pressing, with the letters MR in a circle stamped in the dead wax.

We acquired this album sealed about 30 years ago and opened it about ten years ago to see which version of the LP was inside.  We’ve played it once.  It’s as clean an original pressing as you’re ever likely to find and it looks exactly like it did when we opened it, sleeve scuffs and all.

A nice copy of a terrific LP.

Background: Released in 1970, Runt was the first album by Todd Rundgren.

The album reached #185 on the U.S. album chart.

This album was originally issued on the blue Ampex label, and later on the tan Bearsville label.  Both versions were heavily counterfeited in the late 1970s and can be identified by blurry text in the lower right hand corner of the back cover where the words “Queens Litho in U.S.A.” appear.    The text is sharp on the original pressings and blurry on the counterfeits.

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

Reluctant to start a full-fledged solo career after leaving the Nazz, Todd Rundgren formed Runt, a band that was a front for what was in effect a solo project. Such isolationism lends Runt its unique atmosphere — it is the insular work of a fiercely talented artist finally given the opportunity to pursue his off-kilter musical vision. …He occasionally slips on Runt, delivering tracks that rely on production instead of a blend of studiocraft and songcraft, but it remains a thoroughly impressive debut and one of his finest pop records.

Country of origin: U.S.
Size: 12″
Record Label: Ampex
Catalog Number:
A-10105
Year of Release: 1970
Format: Stereo
Share: Facebooktwitterredditpinterestlinkedinmail

Jewel – Pieces of You original U.S. 2 LP set

jewel - pieces of you u.s. lp

Offered for sale is a still sealed U.S. pressing of Pieces of You, the debut LP by Jewel.

About this copy: This copy of Pieces of You is an original 1994 U.S. pressing of the two record set.

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 small bends on two corners.  There is a hype sticker attached to the wrap indicating that the vinyl pressing is a limited edition and that the set includes 5 bonus tracks.

A beautiful copy of a scarce 1990s LP.

Background: Jewel’s first album, Pieces of You, got off to a slow start, but eventually reached #4 on the American album charts, though it took nearly two years to get there.

Pieces of You was originally released on vinyl in a very limited pressing that was likely hard to find even when the album was new.  The two record set contains five tracks that were not on the compact disc version of the album:

  • Emily
  • Rocker Girl
  • Everything Breaks
  • Cold Song
  • Angel Needs a Ride

Allmusic.com gave Pieces of You a 4 star review:

Pieces of You is a charming debut that is somewhat undone by its own naïveté. Jewel has a rich voice and an innocent, beguiling charm that makes “Who Will Save Your Soul,” “I’m Sensitive,” and “You Were Meant for Me” — songs with slight, simple lyrics and catchy, sweet melodies — quite endearing; they sound like a high-school diary brought to life. …Pieces of You has enough charm to make it an ingratiating debut, even if the album doesn’t quite fulfill Jewel’s potential.

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)

paypal credit
 

Country of origin: U.S.
Size: 12″
Record Label: Atlantic
Catalog Number:
82700-1
Year of Release: 1995
Format: Stereo
Share: Facebooktwitterredditpinterestlinkedinmail

John Lennon/Yoko Ono – Wedding Album red vinyl Japan box set with obi

john & yoko - wedding album red vinyl japan LP

Offered for sale is an ultra-rare original red vinyl Japanese pressing of the Wedding Album by John Lennon and Yoko Ono, including the original die-cut “medallion” obi.

About this copy: This copy of Wedding Album is an original 1969 Japanese pressing on the Apple label, catalog number AP-9010 and pressed on “Everclean” red vinyl.

The box is VG++, with a “nick” near the upper right hand corner.  All of the corners are intact.

The obi is VG++, with a few faint wrinkles, but no tears.  The “hojyuhyo,” or reorder tag, is still attached.

The box includes:

  • Reproduction marriage license on the inside of the cover
  • LP and gatefold cover
  • Postcard
  • “The Press” booklet
  • “The Wedding” booklet
  • Strip of photos
  • Photo of wedding cake
  • Fold out poster
  • Japanese lyric/liner notes insert
  • Black paper inner sleeve (no splits!)

Note: This copy does not include the white plastic “Bagism” bag. 

All inserts are original and have the original AP-9010 catalog number on them except the cake photo, which has no number.

The gatefold cover is M-, with trace corner wear.  All of the inserts are M-.

The red vinyl disc is M- with a faint 1/2″ inaudible scuff on side one and a couple of minor sleeve scuffs on side two.  There is a single spindle mark on the side two label, suggesting that the record might have been played once.  Clean disc!

A beautiful copy of an ultra-rare John Lennon item.  Until we found this copy, we weren’t sure this album existed on red vinyl.  Even the black vinyl copies are nearly impossible to find.

Background: Originally released in 1969, Wedding Album was the second of three experimental albums released by John Lennon and Yoko Ono.  Buyers expecting Beatle-esque music were likely disappointed, as side one of the album consists of John and Yoko simply repeating each other’s names, while side two features a press conference.

The packaging of the album was interesting, however, coming in a box set that included a copy of their marriage license, a plastic bag containing a photo of a slice of wedding cake, a strip of photos, and a booklet of press clippings.

The album did not chart in the UK and peaked at #178 on the U.S. album charts.  Wedding Album was quite a rarity at one time until a small quantity of sealed U.S. copies turned up in a warehouse in the early 1980s.  Of course, all of those copies were grabbed up long ago, and the album is again rather hard to find, especially in completely intact condition.

The box set was briefly available in Japan in 1969, pressed on both black and red vinyl; both versions are extremely rare.   The album was reissued in Japan in 1978 on a different label and with a different catalog number and obi.

Allmusic.com gave Wedding Album a somewhat generous 1 1/2 star review:

The record itself contained two selections, one of which consisted of nearly 25 minutes of Yoko Ono’s wailing, while the other, “John and Yoko,” featured the two, one in each stereo speaker, calling out the other’s name for more than 22 minutes. Employing such limited lyrics, Lennon is the more expressive, Ono the more penetrating.

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)

paypal credit
 

Country of origin: Japan
Size: 12″
Record Label: Apple
Catalog Number:
AP-9010|
Year of Release: 1969
Format: Stereo
Share: Facebooktwitterredditpinterestlinkedinmail

Santana – Greatest Hits limited edition clear vinyl U.S. LP

Offered for sale is a still sealed limited edition clear vinyl U.S. pressing of Santana’s Greatest Hits by Santana.

About this copy: This copy of Santana’s Greatest Hits is a 2019 pressing on the Columbia label of an album that was originally released in 1974.

This colored vinyl issue was sold exclusively through Walmart stores.

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

The wrap is fully intact with no rips, tears, or holes.  There is a hype sticker on the wrap that says, “Exclusive Milky Clear Vinyl.”

A nice copy of one of Santana’s best-selling albums.

Background: Released in 1974, Santana’s Greatest Hits was the band’s first compilation album.

The album reached #14 on the UK charts and #17 in the U.S., where it has sold more than seven million copies.

The album contains the edited “single” versions of “Evil Ways,” “Persuasion,” and “Black Magic Woman.”

Allmusic.com gave Santana’s Greatest Hits a 4 1/2 star review:

This ten-song sampler presents the best of Santana, 1969-71, the period of its greatest popularity. The hits include “Black Magic Woman,” “Evil Ways,” “Everybody’s Everything,” and “Oye Como Va.” But note that this is a bare minimum of prime Santana. Not only does the sampler choose from only Santana’s first three albums, but it leaves out such seminal numbers as “Nobody to Depend On” and “Soul Sacrifice.” Those looking for a more extensive overview should consider Viva Santana!

Country of origin: U.S.
Size: 12″
Record Label: Columbia
Catalog Number:
88985446151
Year of Release: 2019
Format: Stereo
Share: Facebooktwitterredditpinterestlinkedinmail

Goldmine’s Price Guide to Collectible Jazz Albums 1949-1969 book

goldmine jazz price guide

Offered for sale is a new and still sealed copy of the 1994 paperback book Goldmine’s Price Guide to Collectible Jazz Albums 1949-1969 by Neal Umphred.

The book is 591 pages and has this description on Amazon:

Instrumental and vocal jazz ranging from Dixieland, big band/swing, bebop, modern, West Coast, and avant garde to the first fusion experiments. Over 20,000 albums listed and priced. Over 100 photos of rare albums. Informative grading guide.

While the pricing information is dated, the book is still useful as a resource.

This copy is new old stock and is still shrink wrapped as received from the printer.

John Lennon/Yoko Ono – Wedding Album Japan box set with obi

john and yoko - wedding album japan lp

Offered for sale is a Japanese pressing of the Wedding Album by John Lennon and Yoko Ono, complete with original obi.

About this copy: This copy of Wedding Album is a 1977 Japanese issue and includes the original obi and all inserts.

The box is VG++, with faint wear at the corners.  The obi is VG+, with slight wear.

The box includes:

  • Box with reproduction marriage license on the inside of the cover
  • LP and cover
  • Postcard
  • “The Press” Booklet
  • Strip of photos
  • Photo of wedding cake
  • Fold out poster
  • Japanese lyric insert

All are M-; the record shows a couple of spindle marks but no other signs of play.

The cover has two small seam splits in the center of the top and the bottom from the record shifting over time.  We have repaired those.

A beautiful copy of a box set that rarely turns up anymore.

Background: Originally released in 1969, Wedding Album was the second of three experimental albums released by John Lennon and Yoko Ono.  Buyers expecting Beatle-esque music were likely disappointed, as side one of the album consists of John and Yoko simply repeating each other’s names, while side two features a press conference.

The packaging of the album was interesting, however, coming in a box set that included a copy of their marriage license, a plastic bag containing a photo of a slice of wedding cake, a strip of photos, and a booklet of press clippings.

The album did not chart in the UK and peaked at #178 on the U.S. album charts.  Wedding Album was quite a rarity at one time until a small quantity of sealed U.S. copies turned up in a warehouse in the early 1980s.  Of course, all of those copies were grabbed up long ago, and the album is again rather hard to find, especially in completely intact condition.

Allmusic.com gave Wedding Album a somewhat generous 1 1/2 star review:

The record itself contained two selections, one of which consisted of nearly 25 minutes of Yoko Ono’s wailing, while the other, “John and Yoko,” featured the two, one in each stereo speaker, calling out the other’s name for more than 22 minutes. Employing such limited lyrics, Lennon is the more expressive, Ono the more penetrating.

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)

paypal credit
 

Country of origin: Japan
Size: 12″
Record Label: EMI/Odeon
Catalog Number:
EMS-80702
Year of Release: 1977
Format: Stereo
Share: Facebooktwitterredditpinterestlinkedinmail

Order Info and Shipping

Our Store

Please read this page carefully. Purchase from our store constitutes agreement to all of the terms outlined on this page.

Grading
Shipping
Packing
Foreign Shipping
Discounts
Payment
Credit Card and PayPal Payments
Financing
Return Policy and Guarantee

Grading

All records are graded visually using the Goldmine scale (M, M-, VG+, VG, VG-, G, Poor) unless otherwise described.

Keep in mind that used records are previously owned  and played; we cannot and do not guarantee that a used record, regardless of grade, will play as quietly as a new one.

We’d be happy to play grade any LP upon request.

Shipping

Our prices include free shipping, insurance and delivery confirmation to any address within the United States. We will send a tracking number via email once your order has shipped.

For security reasons, we ship only to your PayPal or credit card billing address if you are paying via PayPal. 

For free shipping on U.S. orders, select the Media Mail ($0.00) option at checkout.  On U.S. orders of $400 or more, the free shipping will include Priority Mail.

While shipping on all U.S. orders is free, Media Mail shipping typically takes anywhere from 3-10 days to arrive and on rare occasions can take several weeks. If you live in the U.S. and would like faster shipping, you may select a faster (paid) option at checkout.

We ship via the United States Postal Service. Orders of more than $750 will require a signature upon delivery.

We are not responsible for lost or stolen items that have been confirmed as delivered by the Postal Service. If you need any assistance filing a missing or stolen package report, please contact us and we will do everything in our power to assist you.

Should a package be returned to us as undeliverable, we will refund the price of the record(s) you have purchased.  Postage is non-refundable.

Foreign Shipping

Foreign postage will be calculated at checkout; PayPal requires shipment via Priority Mail for merchandise valued at $400 or more, though faster options will usually be offered at checkout.

The least expensive shipping option, First Class Package International service, does not permit the purchase of insurance. If you choose this option, your package will not be insured. We will not be held responsible for damage or loss if you choose this shipping option.

Merchandise will be declared at full value for customs purposes and shipped fully insured (where insurance is permitted by postal regulations).

We will insure the package for the full value when possible.  Some countries have limits on insurance value; if the value of the package exceeds the maximum amount of permitted insurance, we will insure for the maximum amount allowed but we will not be responsible for losses that exceed that amount.

We cannot declare low values for customs purposes. That is forbidden by U.S. law.  The buyer is responsible for any and all customs/import duties and fees.

Packing

All merchandise will be packed in new, appropriate mailers with cardboard stiffeners to further secure your purchase.

We use Whiplash mailers with corner protection for most shipments; high-value items may be double boxed at our discretion.

Records will be removed from covers prior to shipping, except for records which are still sealed. Those will be shipped unopened, but will be secured in a way that ensures that the seal will not break during transit.

While we pack our records well, we do occasionally get requests for an order to be shipped double boxed, with one box inside the other in order to provide additional protection during shipping.

Double-boxing is not necessary, but we offer it as an option for an additional fee.

The option for double boxing is available at checkout for an additional $10 fee to cover the costs of packing materials and extra shipping charges.

Discounts

There are several ways to receive discounts on our site:

  • Items on sale – Every week, one category in our store is on sale.  The sale category usually changes on Monday morning.
  • Bulk (quantity) discounts – If you purchase 2 items, you will receive a 10% discount off of the total price.  If you purchase 4 or more items, you will receive a 20% discount off of the total price.  All items must be purchased as part of a single order to qualify.
  • Make offer – Most items feature a “Make Offer” button.  If you’d like to make an offer on an item, press the button and complete the form.

The discounted prices for quantity purchases will appear on the shopping cart page and will be calculated automatically.

If you make an offer, we will review it and will accept it, decline it, or make a counter offer.  If your offer is accepted, you will receive a payment link via email.  If you do not receive a reply within 24 hours, please check your spam folder.

Items that are currently on sale or items for which we have accepted an offer via the “make offer” button are not eligible for quantity discounts.

All items are subject to prior sale.

Payment

All prices are in U.S. dollars.

Credit Cards and PayPal

All purchases will be shown on your bill as from Retro Marketing.

Our site is fully secure (https:); all data submitted through our site is encrypted to protect your personal information during the checkout process.

You may make your purchase using Visa, Mastercard, American Express or Discover via PayPal. PayPal is a service that provides fast and secure credit card transactions over the Web.

To purchase an item, just click on the “Add to Cart” button at the bottom of the item description. Your item will be added to your shopping cart. You may view your cart at any time by clicking on the “View Cart” button at the right of the page. To continue shopping, click on “Continue Shopping.”To complete your purchase, click on “Checkout.”

This will connect you to PayPal’s secure server. Just fill out the form, include your e-mail address and other requested information, and click the PayPal button. You will be taken to PayPal’s site where you can either log in or enter your credit card information.

You do not need to have a PayPal account to pay by credit card.

When you’re done you will be returned to our site. Your credit card bill will show a purchase from RETRO MARKETING. Merchandise purchased via PayPal must be shipped to the cardholder’s billing address.

If you do not provide your billing address to PayPal, we will cancel your order!

Note- We cancel orders without billing addresses right away, but it may take several days or more to credit your account. Please provide billing addresses; it makes things easier for us and for you.

Note: We only accept credit cards through PayPal! We cannot accept credit cards via any other means, such as the telephone. All credit card transactions must be completed online.

Financing

Items priced at $99 or more may be eligible for financing through PayPal. PayPal Credit offers interest-free financing for up to 6 months for eligible purchases. You may select that option at checkout, if available.

Most items are also eligible for PayPal’s “Pay in 4” payment program, which allows you to pay in four equal installments.  You many choose the “Pay in 4” option on the product page.

Return Policy and Guarantee

All merchandise is unconditionally guaranteed for 14 days from the date of purchase. Simply return the item in the condition in which you received it, postpaid and insured, and we will credit your account for the purchase price, less postage.

Return postage is the buyer’s responsibility.

Refunds will be issued to the original form of payment.  If you paid by credit card, your payment will be returned to your credit card.  If you paid via PayPal, your payment will be returned to your PayPal account.  If you paid via gift card, your payment will be added to your gift card balance.

Items damaged in shipping are not returnable; a claim must be filed with the Postal Service to obtain a refund.  We will assist with this.

If you receive an item that has been damaged in transit, let us know and we will do what we can to file an insurance claim on your behalf.

Sealed records are assumed to be perfectly mint and unplayed with the correct disc inside; we cannot guarantee sealed records.

Sealed records may not be returned for a refund once opened.

We do not issue partial refunds.

Unless described otherwise, all items advertised are one-of-a-kind and are presumed to be original and not a reissue or a reproduction. All items are assumed to be in near mint condition unless described otherwise in the item description. In rare circumstances, items shown to be in stock may be unavailable. If so, we will promptly refund your payment.

Contacting Us

We can be reached via email through our contact page. We will always contact you via email when your order is shipped. If you are not receiving email messages from us, please check your spam folder.

 

Our Grading

Record grading is necessarily subjective; it’s rare for two people to agree on the grade of any record. Unfortunately, grading is a necessary part of buying and selling records. After all, you want to know the condition of any item you are buying.

We strive to grade our records accurately and conservatively, using the Goldmine grading standards. If you are going to be surprised when your purchase arrives in the mail, we would rather you find it to be in better condition than you expected, rather than (as is often the case), much worse.

Our grading will refer to the wear on the vinyl itself; any other problems with either the record or the cover will be noted in addition to the grade. When it comes to grading, we treat all records equally, whether it’s a $2 item or a $2000 item. Our goal is for you to be happy with your purchase.

Still Sealed (sometimes referred to as SS) – Unopened, factory sealed, and believed to be unplayed and perfectly mint. Sometimes in the 1960s, records were resealed by jobbers, retailers, and cut-out distributors. In such cases, we will note this in the description.

Mint (or M) – Opened, but effectively perfect with no signs of wear or ever having been played.

Mint Minus (or M-) A record with only the slightest evidence of ever having been handled.

Very Good Plus Plus (VG++) A very clean record that has no marks aside from slight abrasions caused by removal from a paper inner sleeve or perhaps a few marks on the label caused by a turntable spindle.

Very Good Plus (VG+) A record that has had a number of plays and may have some superficial marks on the vinyl. Still very desirable condition.

Very Good (VG) A record that has generally been well cared for, but has seen a lot of play.

Grades below this are Very Good Minus (VG-), Good (G) and Poor (P). We will rarely, if ever, have records in stock in these grades unless they are extraordinarily rare.