Jimi Hendrix : Band Of Gypsys A1/B1 1st Press 1970

This very collectable first pressing on the Track Record label plays to a fantastic standard with no intrusion on the audio.  The clarity, depth and power throughout is stunning and it has clearly only been lightly played.  I would say there are 3/4 light ticks at most and only a minor hint of light static on one track.  The sonic quality is on a level you so rarely find today.  A FINAL UPGRADE album as it were.

The infamous Puppet cover is also in superb condition with no obvious wear.  All the more impressive when you consider it isn't laminated and is over 50 years old!  The original inner is also in great condition.

With international shipping (including Europe now) I will declare a lower amount so as to decrease/avoid any Customs' fees.

2406 002   A ?  1   1 1 6

2406 002   B = 1   1 1 1 2

The audio on S1 is Near Mint (Mint- for the majority)

The audio S2 is Near Mint (Mint- for the majority)

The cover is Near Mint-

The labels are Near Mint

The original inner sleeve is Ex+

Visual grading

The vinyl is in lovely condition with no marks or scratches and still has that 'as new' glossy sheen.  Both sides are visually stunning and have only a small number of very faint sleeve removal hairlines.  It doesn't get much better than this!  The run out grooves are also very clean as are the Track Record labels which have only a little spindle wear.

Play grading

The 'spoken intro' on S1 has no interference and then the intro on 'Who Knows' plays with wonderful clarity and only a couple of minor static ticks right at the start.  The first vocal again has no 'background' and Hendrix's first solo is sublime, the playback could not be any better.  It continues to play with stunning quality and there are no clicks or pops.  As this is such a clean vinyl each note is so sharp and precise and the bass is still so strong and deep also.  This is a superb version and the clarity cannot be faulted.  The very quiet section about six minutes in provides more evidence of this - barely any static and just one light static tick.  Hendrix's final extended solo plays to perfection and this is easily a Near Mint version although it has to be said the vast majority is better than that!

Hendrix's spoken intro on 'Machine Gun' has only one second of light static at the start and you can then hear every word perfectly.  His opening solo is 'as new' and from then on it plays with incredible clarity and power.  There is also a great depth to the music and the first rip-roaring solo is spectacular!  Pure dynamic power and no distortion.  It continues to play with exceptional quality and from start to finish there is no actual intrusion on the audio.  There are no clicks or pops, just a small number of totally insignificant dust ticks and just a minor hint of very light static on the final quiet section.  In saying that is still deserves a Near Mint grade, a 'high end' version for sure.

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'Changes' has a little static on the spoken intro but disappears by the time the music starts.  Miles' first vocal is nigh on perfect with only one barely audible tick and it continues in the same way with tremendous depth - Cox's bass is so strong here and the Hendrix's first solo again plays to perfection.  There is only very minimal light static for a few seconds in the quiet section that follows and the audio is superb as it builds towards the end.  This 'high octane' section rounds off the track with stunning precision.  Another Near Mint track in my opinion.

The intro on 'Power Of Soul' has no interference and the following solo is again so powerful.  The vocal sections then play with great clarity as does every section thereafter.  I can't quite put into words just how impressive the audio is here - the bass is again so strong and adds so much to the 'mix'.  The quieter section on the final third is flawless and the remainder is of the same standard.  This is Mint- I am confident in saying.

The intro on 'Message To Love' is faultless and it then plays with imperious quality to the end.  There is no interference and the power of the recording really stands out and again there is no distortion on the top end.  Mint-

'We Gotta Live Together' ends the album in fine style with a sonic quality that delivers on every level.  There is no interference and only a minimal amount of inner groove distortion in a couple of sections i.e. very minimal!  Another stunning solo from Hendrix with an impeccable bass line to accompany it.  The 'high octane' end section is phenomenal and provides a Mint finish for sure.  I will however grade as Near Mint over.  Perhaps playing it too safe!

In summary this first pressing plays to a sublime standard with basically no interference.  Yes I have graded as Near Mint on some tracks but it could be argued I am being overly cautious.  There are no clicks or pops, barely any static and only a small number of very light static ticks which obviously are not intrusive.  You could wish to find a better pressing or puppet cover for that matter.

The 'Puppet' Cover & Inner Sleeve

This iconic cover of course proved controversial and was very soon withdrawn hence the reason why it is so collectable.  This particular one is in superb condition with hardly any wear.  Only the bottom edge has some light rubbing and even that is not that noticeable.  The thin pinched spine is in perfect shape and for once has no corner wear.  In fact only the bottom right corner has a very minimal amount of wear and the opening edge is pristine.  The front cover is in lovely condition with no marking, just a couple of tiny creases on 'Bob' that you only see at a certain angle.  The back cover is equally as impressive with just one very small white 'mark' near the foot and a hint of ringwear near the top.  A stunning cover overall, rarely have I seen one as good as this.

The original poly-lined 'Plastic Bags...' inner is in superb condition with no side splits or tears, minimal creasing and only a little age related fading around the edges.

Play tested on my Pro-Ject Essential III Turntable / B&W 684 Speakers

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

2406 002   A ?  1   1 1 6

2406 002   B = 1   1 1 1 2

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

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