Canned Heat: Future Blues – 1st UK Pressing. Very Rare. Excellent

	£		18
	$		24

Canned Heat: Future Blues – 1st UK Pressing
Matrix numbers: LBS 83364 A-1G / B-2G (MACHINE-STAMPED - DENOTES UK 1ST PRESSING)
Catalogue number Liberty LBS 83364
Originally released - 1970 UK
Overall condition is EXCELLENT
Sleeve EXCELLENT
The FRONT-LAMINATED FINISH GATEFOLD BY E. J. DAY sleeve is still bright and glossy in EXCELLENT condition with no tears or splits but there is a very slight creasing where the top edge of the record sits but otherwise is in very good condition with the colours still very bright and there isn’t any writing, taping or stickers;
Inside EXCELLENT when opened is a full-length photo of the band amongst the Giant Redwoods together with the sleeve notes with no markings, stains or stickers.
Spine  EXCELLENT the spine is firm and totally legible but has some very slight creasing.
Inner Sleeve EXCELLENT The original plain paper inner sleeve is still in excellent condition. I will also include the original plastic outer that I bought with it, although it is starting to split slightly at the top, it still fits tightly and has successfully kept the dust off for all these years
Record EXCELLENT It’s pressed on heavyweight vinyl. The record itself is clean and glossy and the disc retains its deep, black vinyl sheen. There are some faint hairline marks on both sides but nothing ugly or deep to affect the sound quality
Labels EXCELLENT The labels show minimal signs of use, have no writing and are clean with minimal spindle marking.
Audio Quality EXCELLENT/VG It plays really well apart from some of the usual vinyl hiss and crackle, which doesn’t detract from the overall sound, which is still amazing. However, there is one loud ‘pop’ on side two which is why I’ve slightly downgraded it to EXCELLENT/VG although deep cleaning would probably remove it. It lays flat on the turntable and plays well without the needle sticking or jumping.
Please remember even new, factory fresh vinyl is likely to have some clicks and pops, but the richness of sound will always be better than digital. OK, eventually the robots and aliens will make digital sound as good, but until then, it’s a compromise, you have to choose; deep rich tones and a beautiful sleeve (often with lyrics or other notes) or clinical sterility with nothing to see and a narrow frequency range.
Since 1970 all my records have been played on a Pioneer PL12D with a Shure N75 ED-T2 cartridge and stylus, tracking at 1.5 grams, which I continue to use today – although the stylus has been replaced regularly

Summary: this ICONIC, final Canned Heat album under the leadership of Blues genius Alan ‘Blind Owl’ Wilson, who died a few weeks after its release at the age of 27, thereby joining Hendrix, Joplin, Morrison who all died within 12 months at the same age (and latterly a host of other great musicians)
Future Blues was also the first major album built around environmental awareness and the impending eco disaster – hence the title, cover photos and sleeve notes, which were all down to Al Wilson. It also features his "My Time Ain't Long" which prophetically foreshadows his death!
Dr. John makes a guest appearance, playing piano on  "London Blues," and he also arranged the horns on "Skat”. This was the first album featuring Harvey Mandel on lead guitar after Henry ‘Sunflower’ Vestine was finally sacked due to his chemically induced erratic behaviour. The two-standout tracks are the extended “So Sad (The World's In A Tangle)” and the extremely well known "Let's Work Together."
TRACKS: Sugar Bee /Shake It And Break It /That's All Right Mama /My Time Ain't Long /Skat /Let's Work Together /London Blues /So Sad (The World's In A Tangle) /Future Blues
PERSONNEL: Alan Wilson Guitar, Vocals, Bob Hite Vocals, Harvey Mandel Guitar, Adolfo de la Parra Drums, Larry Taylor Bass, Dr. John Keyboards, Ernest Lane Keyboards
There remains no doubt that this BLUES/ROCK MASTERWORK  album is a lovely piece of genuine memorabilia from a bygone time that changed the world and would grace any collection. If you haven’t heard it on vinyl this could be for you. It certainly doesn’t sound 47 years old.
I’m not a dealer of any sort, but am just downsizing and having to clear things out and trying to survive on a poxy pension. I’m starting it at a sensible price so a genuine fan or collector can enjoy it without paying rip off prices Good luck with your bidding and feel free to ask any question.

A Word About Payment and Postage: Sorry but I accept Paypal only and it will be posted as soon as payment has cleared, which must be paid within 24hours of the end of the auction. This may seem harsh but I’m fed up with time wasters!
I use 12" Vinyl LP Record postal mailers and protect them with an additional layer of bubblewrap. In the UK I use Royal Mail Signed For. If you require some other form of postage/delivery, I’m more than happy providing you meet the extra costs. If you are outside the UK, I will use Ebay’s own service.
Record Collector grading system used
EXCELLENT: The record shows some signs of having been played, but there is very little lessening in sound quality. The cover and packaging might have slight wear and / or creasing.
VERY GOOD: The record has obviously been played many times, but displays no major deterioration in sound quality, despite noticeable surface marks and the occasional light scratch. Normal wear and tear on the cover or extra items, without any major defects, is acceptable.