HENDRIX SMASH HITS 1st UK PRES TRACK MONO MiNt AuDiO

	£		281
	$		372

JIMI HENDRIX ''SMASH HITS'' 1ST UK PRESSING 1968 CATNO.612004 TRACK LABELS THE RAREST AND MOST SOUGHT AFTER (((MONO))) PRESSING!!   NEAR PRISTINE\MINT VINYL PLAYING SURFACE!   JUST BARE MINIMAL PLAY ONLY AWESOME TOP TOP AUDIO (NO)  CLICKS OR POPS AWESOME 1ST ISSUE MACNEIL PRESS COVER !! COMPLETE WITH CORRECT\ORIGINAL RECORD SLEEVE!

IMPORTANT TO NOTE! THIS IS THE THIRD ALBUM TO BE RELEASED IN 1968 IN THE UK! 

THE BEST AUDIO SOUNDING COPY THAT I HAVE HEARD! THIS ONE IS FOR ANY AVID HENDRIX AUDIOPHILES!! AUDIO AS GOOD AS IT GETS IN MY OPINION!

Another from my personal collection! Like all of my albums this has been stored in a case with the vinyl seperated from the sleeve and cover for protection, this is how I have always stored my records! This original mono is the one to have for any avid Hendrix collectors, although a combilation of Henrixes previous hits this the third oficial album to be released in the UK in 1968 and in the most sought after mono! Super thick and chunky slab of vinyl only found on these earliest originals and the best audio quality experience that can be acheived in any format available in my opinbion! very rare to find the original mono UK pressing in this superbe condition. This album is in exceptional condition for 41 years old and looks and sounds barely played! I have played the vinyl through at loud volume on a top system using a dedicated mono cartridge! The audio is stunning cristal clear and vibrant through out without distortion or background noise that I heard! Played at very loud volume, importantly played using a dedicated mono cartridge on a top system,  this plays through near perfect on my systems, no clicks or pops and certainly no distortion! very rare to find original Hendrix mono pressings like this! Important to note this is the original 1968 mono pressing the audio certainly can not be surpassed by the later 'fake' stereo pressings!

Smash Hits is the first compilation album by the Jimi Hendrix Experience. It was released in 1968 in the UK and the following year in the United States. Containing nothing but the band's biggest successes, both editions of the albums have proven to be long and popular sellers!!

This UK version, first appeared in April 1968, only four months after the band's second studio album, Axis: Bold as Love, and while they were working on their third!

 Containing their first four (hit) UK singles (and their respective B-sides) in addition to four standout tracks from their (hit) LP Are You Experienced, Smash Hits became exactly that - a #5 album in the UK and one that had a long chart life. It also marked the first appearance on album of "Burning of the Midnight Lamp", five months ahead of its placement on Electric Ladyland!. Originally released in mono format and then soon in stereo!

In the US, however, things were done a little differently. Jimi's then-record label, Reprise Records, felt that a greatest hits collection was far too premature (as he hadn't had any there yet) and waited until mid-1969 (and, coincidentally, the break-up of the original band once Noel Redding suddenly quit) to issue a different compilation with the same title. Now with Electric Ladyland in the mix, there was more to choose from (and also a "hit" single, his only one in US). There were also tracks that had been elbowed off the UK edition of Are You Experienced in 1967 to make way for "Hey Joe", "Purple Haze" and "The Wind Cries Mary". As a result, the US version of Smash Hits - which reached #6 in its territory - although only including one "smash hit", is more balanced and more representative of the band's career, yet still failed to include any tracks from Axis: Bold As Love, and only two from Electric Ladyland. However, the UK (612004) and Japanese mono editions include the mono mix of the rare 1967 B-Side "Stars That Play With Laughing Sam's Dice". It is also available on CD on The Singles Album!.

A Japanese vesion was released in 1969, with a Fish eye photograph cover by Karl Ferris, Jimi's personal photographer/designer. In 1997, Experience Hendrix Inc. compiled and issued Experience Hendrix: The Best of Jimi Hendrix, which currently stands as the definitive Hendrix compilation. However, this compilation was reissued and remastered in 2001. Neither the UK or US version contained tracks from the acclaimed 1967 album Axis: Bold As Love!!.

This is the original UK ((Mono))) Version (April 1968)

Available in mono (612004), or 'mono enhanced for stereo' (fake stereo) Polydor (613004) & genuine stereo (1972?) Polydor (Super 613004)

1. "Purple Haze" – 2:52
2. "Fire" – 2:45
3. "The Wind Cries Mary" – 3:20
4. "Can You See Me" – 2:33
5. "51st Anniversary" – 3:16
6. "Hey Joe" (Roberts) – 3:30
7. "Stone Free" – 3:36
8. "The Stars That Play With Laughing Sam's Dice" – 4:21
9. "Manic Depression" – 3:42
10. "Highway Chile" – 3:32
11. "Burning of the Midnight Lamp" – 3:39
12. "Foxy Lady" – 3:18

The Matrix

Side 1. 612004 A#2 (Earliest for this pressing)

Side 2 612004 B#2 (Earliest for this pressing)

The vinyl

This is the original 41 year old thicker chunky type of vinyl only found like this on the earliest mono pressings!. The vinyl lays perfectly flat on the turntable! On initial inspection it is hard to see a blemish at all on the playing surface,, this looks truly awesome and has retained its super glossy sheen from new, and looks like it has barely ever been played! Only in strong light can possibly be seen very light suface marks\light whyspy sleeve removal only which have (no) effect on the audio that I heard!

The Audio Quality

I have played this vinyl track for track on a top system at very loud volume using a dedicated mono cartridge! The audio is truly awesome throughout cristal clear and very vibrant without any signs of distortion or that this has been overplayed what so ever! One of the best sounding originals that I have heard of thisd pressing truly stunning throughout! The first important thing to note is that there is (no) loud clicks or pops that I heard throughout the audio and certainly no skips or jumps. Please allow for  the odd light static perhapes heard in between some isolated tracks or in very quiet places  (not consistant throughout the audio) nothing that is detrimental at all to the overall awesome audio experiance, and could do with a constant clean before each play due to the fact that this has been stored ,dormant for over 30 years!! The audio is rated at the top on all frequencies! The audio must grade at least  excellent plus to near perfect as I heard it! Please note! This original mono pressing is the most desirable and collectable producing the best audio available on vinyl in my personal opinion!

Please note! I always add this disclaimer! Please allow for the very light static (not consistant throughout the audio) Please remember that this is a genuine 41 year old vinyl that would have been played on a 41 year old system! Top Top audio on all frequencies!!

Points to note! This album has been stored in a case laying dormant for over 30 years! A build up of dirt and dust in the grooves causes static\ticks\crackle A constant cleran before each play is highly recomended! This will reduse any static and will enhance the audio quality!!! 

The labels

These are the original 'Track' labels in truly awesome condition. Only angled to the light can any spidermarks be seen, really only on side 1. it is obvious that this vinyl has barely been played that much at all! little if (no) spindleware the hole is perfectly round!!

The Record Sleeve

This is the original poly lined sleeve 'Made in England' and 'patent no.' Importantly correctly dated 1969 no splits or tares, very clean! This has always been stored by me seperated from the vinyl and cover for protection.

The Cover

This is the original MacNeil Press Laminated front cover in absolutely stunning and exceptional condition for 41 years old! Super glossy appearance With no real main creases to mention. There is only very light and small surface half moon type shaped creases in the laminate only and at the spine only to mention! This is the original strong and very straight and very clean all writing is very clear and legable this must grade at least excellent to excellent plus!!!

HOW I SEND MY RECORDS!

THIS ALBUM WILL BE SENT IN A LARGE BOX WITH CARDBOARD STIFFENERS THE ALBUM IS ALWAYS PUT IS A POLY SLEEVE AND ENCASED IN THE BOX WITH PLENTY OF BUBBLEWRAP FOR ADDED PROTECTION (SEE PHOTOS)

As always I have tried to give my honest personal opinion when describing items listed! Although it is my honest opinion! I always urge others to do their own personal research on any items that they are interested in purchasing, before, they commit to bidding!) I have Highlighted all aspects as clearly as possible!! I have taken time to play this vinyl track for track to give a clear and accurate description of the audio quality as i hear it. (please look at my completed listings of albums that I have sold of this calaber (more than 1000 items) and you will see that I normally get it right) I have also provided as many photos as I can and supersized so that all aspects can be seen clearly in strong light!!!!!Please note! These photos are the actual item for sale and not copies of other items!!!!!!!

Please do not hesitate to email me with any questions regarding this item or any other items that I have listed!

I HAVE 100% POSITIVE FEEDBACK SO PLEASE BID WITH TOTAL CONFIDANCE!!!!

SHIPPING TO THE USA\CANADA\JAPAN\AUSTRALIA IS 11.76GBP INCLUDES INTERNATIONAL SIGNED FOR DELIVERY WITH INSURANCE AND TRACKING

SHIPPING TO EUROPE IS 8.76GBP INCLUDES INTERNATIONAL SIGNED FOR DELIVERY WITH INSURANCE AND TRACKING

POSTAGE WITHIN ENGLAND IS FREE SENT BY RECORDED DELIVERY

(ALL ITEMS ARE COVERED BY AN INSURANCE UP TO A VALUE OF £36.00 FOR LOSS OR DAMAGE OF GOODS IN TRANSIT. AN ADDITIONAL (OPTIONAL) FEE WILL BE CHARGED FOR ANY INSURANCE OF A HIGHER VALUE. PLEASE NOTE, THAT SOME COUNTRIES HAVE A MAXIMUM AMOUNT ONLY TO A CERTAIN VALUE THAT CAN BE INSURED! 

Please note! All items are now despatched by Royal Mail signed for 1st class delivery!!!! I normally despatch weekdays within the next working day on receipt of cleared funds!!!I POST ON WEEKDAYS ONLY (NOT OVER THE WEEKEND)!! Tracking details are always emailed to the winning bidder after despatch.

All items are despatched securely with ample reinforcement (It is my prime interest to make sure that the items arrive in the same condition that they left me!!!!

I offer a postage discount for multiple purchases!!!,, but i do insist that the buyer pay for the items as they are won! I can not any longer allow winning bidders to run up a large bill and then not pay! I do not have a problem with holding the goods to be despatched untill they are ready (at the buyers request), for multiple items purchased!!!!!

MY NEW POLICY! Because of the unfortunate recent problems that I have had with non payments, Any new ebayers with low,poor or no real history,  Please do not bid on my records without first contacting me! These bids will be cancelled and the bidder will be blocked from further attempts to bid on my items.   

PLEASE LOOK AT MY OTHER RARE 1ST UK PRESSINGS LISTED NOW!!!! (click the link bellow)

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PLEASE LOOK AT MY OTHER RARE 1ST UK PRESSINGS LISTED NOW!!!! (click the link bellow)

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