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Ashkan : In From The Cold 1W / 1W 1st Press 1969 Decca Nova Series

This rare and highly collectable first pressing plays with superb audio and no obvious interference other than four light ticks on 'Going Home' and three even lighter ticks on 'Stop (Wait And Listen)' on S1.  It is still true to say that the vast majority still plays with great quality with just a little light static here and there, nothing intrusive.  As for S2 the playback is stunning!  The clarity, depth and power of the audio is so impressive and has only the bare minimum of background.  This record has been played and has some hairlines but having played every track in full I can safely say it was a superb listen!

It was a shame they disbanded after only one album because it is now a highly regarded record and you can see why it is so collectable.  For a guy in his 20s Bailey's vocal is so 'mature' and Weston's (later of Fleetwood Mac) guitar playing is incredible.  I'm not sure why it is only regarded as a blues / hard rock album because a number of the tracks do have a progressive 'feel' to them for sure.

The laminated cover has only light wear and has the stereo / mono indicator hole on the back.  The original Decca inner remains in excellent shape with only a little wear.

ZAL-9093.P-1W / ZAL-9094.P-1W // U 1 / C1

The audio on S1 is Ex+ (T1 VG for 3/4 seconds then Ex / T2 intro VG+ then Mint- / T3 & T4 intros Ex)

The audio on S2 is Near Mint (T3 Mint- / T4 ranges between Ex & Mint-)

The cover is Ex-

The original inner sleeve is Ex-

The Decca labels are Ex+

Visual description

This vinyl is very clean and still has a strong glossy look with no actual scratches.  There are some hairlines with 3/4 that are a little more obvious but they are superficial as they have no affect on the audio.  Under a more 'forgiving' light it is in great shape with only 3/4 small hairlines visible.  The blue Decca labels are very clean with only some spindle wear on S2 and very little on S1.

Play grading

The intro on 'Going Home' has some light static and Bailey's opening vocal then plays very clearly but with four consecutive ticks, however they are not loud.  The first chorus has no background and from then on it plays with very strong audio and no obvious intrusion.  There is just a touch of light static every now and then but it does not detract from the overall 'listen'.  Weston's mid solo is superb and the rest of the track plays with great clarity and power and no interference as such.  I think Ex is a fair overall assessment of the audio although many sections are better than that plus there is the brief VG section on the opening vocal.

The quiet intro on 'Take These Chains' has some light background static but once the guitar comes in the playback is stunning!  Bailey's voice lends itself perfectly to the Ashkan sound and it is superb here!  The clarity and definition of the audio is so strong and it continues to play with real quality including another flawless solo from Weston.  I only noticed one minor static - the sonic quality is stunning and that is helped in no small measure by Bending's deep bass sound, adding great depth to the music.  The end instrumental is a case in point, the playback is stunning, great percussive work!  The intro is VG+ but the rest of this great track has to grade as Mint- as the audio is so clean and powerful.

The intro on the folk influenced 'Stop (Wait And Listen)' plays so clearly for the vast majority.  The long opening acoustic section is stunning with only very minimal light static and there are just three light ticks prior to the first vocal.  The opening verse has only minimal background and it continues to play with great quality from that point on.  There is very little static and there are certainly no clicks or pops.  Great clarity overall and the quiet end section is a prime example of that.  Another mention for Bailey's voice here - the perfect accompaniment for this great track.  I will say Ex for the intro and Ex+ from then onwards.

The long intro on 'Backlash Blues' plays very clearly with only light static here and there and there are no clicks or pops.  As it builds the audio is so strong and dynamic and the opening vocal section has no interference.  From then on there is a lot to admire!  Tremendous power and depth and you really cannot fault the clarity either.  Bending's bass has an almost Jones' Led Zepp 'feel' to it adding so much depth and resonance to the sound.  Weston is in his element here with very powerful work throughout and the final vocal section has barely any background.  The instrumental ending has just one clicky sound literally on the final note.  Like I say the vast majority of the intro plays with great quality but I will grade it as Ex but it's fair to say the rest of this track grades as Ex+ there really is very little intrusion.

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The intro on 'Practically Never Happens' plays with stunning clarity and Bailey's first vocal plays perfectly with no intrusion.  Again the audio is so strong and deep and this record certainly hasn't lost any of its original sonic quality.  There are 2/3 minor ticks during the very impressive instrumental, they are definitely not clicks!  Superb work from Weston here once more.   The final vocal / instrumental has no interference and this is very much worthy of a Near Mint grading.

'One Of Us Two' then plays with impeccable quality.  The intro is faultless and the opening vocal is equal to that.  Thereafter it plays so clearly and... features stunning guitar work from Weston.  Listening to this album it's easy to see why it is so collectable.  A more melodic 'feel' to the vocals towards showed they had a real variation to their music.  Just a couple of light statics from start to finish so again I will grade as Near Mint

'Slightly Country' plays with phenomenal clarity with no sign of any interference.  Every vocal and instrumental section is so clean and precise and even the band 'exit' at the end plays with sublime clarity.  Just a hint of barely audible static.  I have no hesitation in grading this as Mint- such is the quality.

Maybe Pink Floyd got some inspiration from the 'Darkness' intro?!  This 'wind' section has only the bare minimum of intermittent light static and there is certainly nothing intrusive.  A superb start.  The following acoustic section has just a little more static at the beginning but again I must stress it is not overpowering, it still plays very clearly for such a low key start.  The opening vocal is very impressive with barely any background and as the volume increases the playback is very strong and clear.  The next quiet passage has only minimal light static and from then on it plays with stunning quality.  The instrumental beginning with Sims percussion is incredible!  This entire section could not play any better - the rhythm section of Sims and Bending the driving force behind it but of course Weston's playing adds so many more layers.  The quiet section that follows has only light background static and remainder of this classic plays with sublime quality also.  This truly is a superb version and the vast majority does indeed play with phenomenal sonic quality.  I would say it ranges between Ex and Mint- but more of the latter in my opinion!

In summary this relatively rare and very collectable first pressing plays with superb audio and only minimal intrusion.  As stated there are no clicks or pops (ok just one click at the end of a fade out) and in my opinion any background there is does not stand out.  There is a little more static on S1 but it is quiet and still plays to a very high standard.  S2 however is stunning with only minimal light static on the final track.  This album was only pressed in limited numbers and this particular one will not disappoint, the sonic quality overall is very impressive.

The Cover & Inner Sleeve

The laminated cover is in excellent condition with only a little shelf wear.  The edges have hardly any rubbing and the spine is very clean with only minor compression in the centre.  The corners have only minimal wear although there is a bit more wear on the bottom right corner.  The opening edge is in great shape with no obvious handling wear and the front cover is very clean with only a handful of laminate creases and some of the usual small creases next to the spine.  The back cover which is not laminated is in excellent order for its 55 years and has only light ringwear near the top and some rubbing by the bottom left corner.  The stereo / mono indicator hole is in superb condition.  A strong example overall.

The original poly-lined Stereo Decca inner is in excellent condition with no side splits or tears and only light creasing and a few light marks.  They are mainly caused by a reaction between the glue and the poly-liner holding it together.

Play tested on my Rega P2 with AT-VM95EN Cart / Denon PMA-520AE Amp / B&W 684 Speakers

This record has been cleaned on a Pro-Ject VC-S machine

ZAL-9093.P-1W / ZAL-9094.P-1W // U 1 / C1

I grade according to "Record Collector" guidelines.

Any questions please feel free to ask

Please pay within 4 days of auction end

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Postage & Packaging

I will only send items items worldwide via tracked shipping.  This provides 'peace of mind' in case of loss or damage.  The shipping costs are shown below and combined shipping is always offered.  Any over-payment will always be refunded.

The Royal Mail only insure up to a value of £250 so if an item sells for more it may be wise to use a courier service (e.g. Parcelforce or DPD).  An extra insurance premium will be required but I will not know the exact amount until the final sale price is known.  Because of this I will sometimes have to estimate the cost and this will be shown in the listing.  Please wait for the invoice before making payment and if you have any questions please feel free to ask.  Many thanks.

All vinyls are packaged in strong over-sized custom made mailers with plenty of extra cardboard protection.  They are placed inside separate poly-lined inners outside the cover so as to avoid seam splits in transit and then placed inside a PVC sleeve to provide even more protection.  I pride myself on my high quality packaging as my feed confirms and if any customer has any specific requirements I am more than happy to help.

The mailers I use cost £1.00 each and I will use anything between 3-5 cardboard stiffeners which cost approx £0.18 each.  There is also the cost of the poly-lined inner and PVC sleeve to consider, it all adds up!  Not forgetting that eBay take 10% of the shipping fee also!!

UK Postage Rates (First Class Recorded - Max 2kg)

LPs/12" singles : £5.95 up to 1kg then £1.00 per extra item 

EUROPE (Tracked - Max 2kg)

LPs/12" singles : £15.95 then £2.00 per extra

USA (Tracked - Max 2kg)

LPs/12" singles : £24.95 then £2.50 per extra 

REST OF WORLD (Tracked - Max 2kg)  

LPs/12" singles : £21.95 then £2.50 per extra

If you are not entirely happy with your purchase please contact me before leaving feedback and I will always resolve any issue, 100% guaranteed.  If you would prefer to send the item back I will also pay the return shipping cost if I am at fault, I am only human after all!!