“BLACK MERDA” funk psych LP on CHESS self titled S/T orig ’70 EXCELLENT

$

70

Artist:  BLACK MERDA 

Title:  “Black Merda”

Label:   CHESS.  Stereo pressing on medium weight vinyl.  Label is grey with black text.  Catalog number is CH 1551. 

Condition: 

DISC:  Vinyl is EXCELLENT/NM- with 100% of original gloss.  Both sides have a light hairline scuff.  Labels are clean.  Fidelity is superb.

JACKET:  Jacket is nice VG+.  Panels are clean and bright.  Nice seams and spine.  Corners have been bumped, and top left corner has cut-out corner clipped.  Overall a very nice jacket to accompany the beautiful disc.  

Track Listing: 

Side One:

• Prophet
• Think of My
• Cynthy-Ruth
• Over and Over
• Ashamed

Side Two:

• Reality
• Windsong
• Good Luck
• That’s the Way It Goes
• I Don’t Want to Die

Review:

“Usually linked in with the brief explosion of "black rock" bands that followed Jimi Hendrix in the late '60s and early '70s, Black Merda's formula was a good bit more complicated than most, and their debut album blends elements of hard rock, blues, soul, folk, and embryonic funk with a tough and uncompromising political consciousness that makes the disc at once a product of its time and not quite like anything else around back in the day.  The guitar work from Anthony Hawkins and Charles Hawkins is tough and organic, whether they're stretching out on extended blues jams such as "Over and Over" and "Windsong" or cutting some hard R&B-accented rock on "Cynthy-Ruth" and "Prophet."  Bassist Vessee L. Veasy (who also contributes most of the lead vocals) and percussionist Tyrone Hite generate a lean but effective groove throughout as they jump from the streetwise soul of "Reality" to the acoustic meditation of "Think of Me."  But as good as the music is on this album (and despite bland production from someone named Swan, most of it is very good indeed), what really sets it apart is the dark vibe reflected in the minor-key tenor of the melodies and the bitter realities of the lyrics.  Grinding poverty, racism, political and social inequality, the ongoing nightmare of Vietnam, the growing schism between youth culture and the establishment, and the absence of any easy answers to the dilemmas of a nation spinning out of control dominate songs such as "Reality," "Ashamed," and "That's the Way It Goes," and the grim but wholly appropriate fable of "I Don't Want to Die" ends this album as if a lid were being slammed shut on a coffin.  Black Merda anticipates the grim consciousness-raising session of Sly & The Family Stone's There’s a Riot Goin’ On, which wouldn't arrive in stores until a year after this album, and if it isn't the stark masterpiece that Sly's album was, it's good enough that this group deserves to be regarded as much more than a footnote in the black music scene of the early '70s.”

(courtesy Mark Deming, allmusic.com.)

Guaranteed to be original and authentic.  I do not sell bootlegs or modern reissues.

As with all my records, I offer a complete guarantee of satisfaction.  If not happy, simply return it in same condition for a full refund of purchase price plus one-way postage.

Payment methods:  I accept Paypal, and any suitable method of payment.  If you have any questions or do not wish to use Paypal, please feel free to contact me and I am sure we can work something out. 

I pack all records in sturdy cardboard custom LP boxes for safe shipment.
The records are removed from the jackets to protect the cover.
Both the LP and jacket are sandwiched between additional layers of cardboard.

I am happy to combine purchases to minimize shipping cost. 

NOTE TO INTERNATIONAL CUSTOMERS:  I will be glad to hold purchases for up to 30 days upon request and receipt of payment, to allow you to accumulate purchases and combine orders in order to save on shipping.  (First LP costs US $18.50 to ship, additional albums in the same order will ship for an additional $2.50 per disc up to a total of four.).  If ebay overcharges for shipping, I will promptly refund any overpayment and apply your discount.

FAST SHIPPING:  If I fail to ship your item within 2 business days of payment receipt, your shipping is free!

Check my feedback, and bid with confidence.  I am dedicated to providing you the finest and rarest records to assist in your collecting. 

If you have any questions concerning this listing, please contact me through eBay’s “Ask A Question” or “Contact Member” options.

PLANNING A VISIT TO THE BALTIMORE/WASHINGTON AREA?

 If so, please consider a visit to my booth (Booth 002, down stairs) at the ANTIQUE DEPOT antique mall in historic ELLICOTT CITY, MARYLAND (3720 Maryland Avenue, just off Main Street at the north end of town – open every day of the year except Christmas and Thanksgiving) for some excellent bargain-priced LPs and 45’s. 

Thank you for viewing my auction, and good luck with your bids!