KING CRIMSON - Red - 1973 UK ISLAND. HARDLY PLAYED, STUNNING SOUND/COVER - PHEW

	£		127
	$		168

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Postage: UK £4.75 (£1 per extra record). Europe (including Russia) £12.50 (£2 per extra record). Rest of World (including ALL parts of the USA) £16.50 (£3 per extra record). All boxes signed for in quality, safe packaging – I NEVER use mailing envelopes that offer virtually no protection at all – in fact I think these things should be banned as records WILL arrive damaged in them at some time. Here, you get what you pay for – SAFE PACKING in BOXES using 7mm DOUBLE-WALL STIFFENERS. Full details nearer the end of the listing.

Posting to Russia: Yes, I do post to Russia. But delivery can take up to 4 to 6 weeks from the UK. So please be patient. I will submit a tracking number to the winning bidder, and when the packet arrives there it can be followed online using the Russian post website.

ALSO: I now apply the Ebay ‘2-day’ rule for non-payment to keep things moving – cash-flow is important for any small business. I will always keep my P&P prices as low as possible, and even after yet another Royal Mail price hike from April this year, I have NOT raised my prices and will never compromise on solid, safe packing that is invariably heavier than most you will get. My P&P offers probably the best value-for-money for vinyl records available, and I even will pay for full insurance on any record that sells for over £100 at NO extra cost – that is UK and abroad. Also I aim to post the very same day after payment is received. You WILL see the difference when my packet arrives.

FINALLY: Late payers, non-payers and ‘0’ bidders will now be blocked or cancelled at my discretion. As will any bidder who cancels a bid. I do not like this practice as it is most often used to phish out the price to beat. Ebay does not approve and neither do I – so only bid on my items if you want them.

Artist or Band: KING CRIMSON

Album Title: Red

Producer(s): King Crimson

TRACK LIST:

Side 1: Red; Fallen Angel; One More Red Nightmare.

Side 2: Providence; Starless.

Label/Format: Island – original pink rim format with matt, smooth surfaces.

Label Conditions: These labels are in amazing condition: both very fresh, clean and unaged or even likely handled. Any spindle traces tiny and faint, hardly anyt. This is a fantastic record with sound to match – this blew me away – also with a fantastic cover.

Cat Number: ILPS 9308

Mode / Speed: Stereo / 33.3 rpm.

Weight of this Record: 130 grams actually above average, this one is usually quite thin, so a fine weight for this title.

Country of Manufacture: England

Rarity: Getting scarce: like most King Crimson originals, these are becoming difficult to find. Finding this so clean and obviously barely played, immensely difficult. Also, this one is superbly pressed with speaker-blasting sound. The quiet passages with little unwanted and no pressing issues. The cover is equally impressive, this is a copy to savour.

Original Year of Release: 1974

Matrix Nos: ILPS 9308 A-3U and B-6U [these may appear high, but are recognised as first issues]

Stamper Codes: 1 M / GL

Other Etchings: Sean / PECKO

The Band: Robert Fripp - guitar and mellotron; John Wetton - bass and vocal; William Bruford - percussives. Guests: David Cross - violin; Mel Collins - soprano saxophone; Ian McDonald - alto saxophone; Robin Miller - Oboe; Marc Charig - cornet.

Brief Artist & Album Info: I have been a huge fan of King Crimson since my schooldays and Red for me is one of their greatest ever. Now scaled down to just three members, but guests include five previous players as listed above. This fantastic album has it all – moments of quietness and moments of thrilling frenzied power with thunderous volume. The final song for me has to be one of the best rock tracks ever - ‘Starless’ starts quietly with gentle mellotron and guitar and slowly builds up into one of the most powerful climaxes ever put to record. Fripp’s splintering guitars get the senses reeling, then comes a sublime short sax break followed by sheer rock power with the band going at full throttle. The bass rattles the foundations and Bruford’s percussion is simply incredible. When the mellotrons kick in again at the very end this gives me that rare tingle factor that only the great recordings ever can. Play this track in particular as loud as possible and you are in for hi-fi nirvana – if your system can handle it! Fripp decided to dissolve the band after this album and ‘Red’ is a stunning finale, has a band ever signed-off with a better track than ‘Starless’? You will not believe such a small band can create so much intensity. This copy is hugely impressive and one well pressed – that the really important factor – and hardly even run-in in vinyl terms. Like all King Crimson albums, this has moments of near silence and then breathtaking power and high volume, their albums are always very difficult to find absolutely perfect on original vinyl. This is no different, but any surface sound here is minimal, very gentle and mostly with none, even the impossibly quiet passages like the opening of side two has little. Again the finale will test out any serious hi-fi system to it’s limits. A barrage of sound and instrumentation that can clearly all be followed with the ultimate detail on a worthy system, with each instrument clearly defined and separate. The cover is also strong as well as the blue inner. This progressive classic and I mean the term ‘classic’ most sincerely, is getting more difficult to find on record now and this copy will please most fans needing a copy – indeed it could prove another substantial upgrade for some. When Fripp decided to dissolve the band, they did not go out so much with a bang – it was more like an EXPLOSION!

Cover Grade and Format: MINT(–): a single format, laminated both sides. Printed in England by Robor, this includes the blue lined inner sleeve.

Lamination – Front & Back: An uncompromisingly revealing cover in black, this shows all blemishes and marks freely, so delighted to say, this has hardly any. Retaining supreme shine, freshness and clarity with barely any hint of friction rubbing or dulling, even viewed under light. A major plus is the lack of lifting which this cover often suffers, and when present it will show. In fact I have seen several Red covers with lifting and peeling, this often has significant laminate issues, here nothing at all. In fact this gorgeous example comes close to reminding of new with any rim impression minuscule, and the same for creasing or blemishes. This early copy also has the deeply pinched spine ends (as seen in close up) which always adds that little extra class. Put simply: this is one of best examples I have ever seen.

Top & Bottom Edges: Both dead straight and unworn. Ultra smooth and unscuffed to the finger tip.

Right Edge(s), and Type: Very clean and again very sharp with little hint of wear, any thickening or burr traces are bordering on minuscule, even viewed end-on – this cover made with very thin card which probably explains why so many have laminate issues, the lack of making this one exceptional. Record entered on this edge that is guaranteed untrimmed or enhanced in any way.

Spine and Text: Stunning, as new – very solid and straight with barely a trace of compression. The ends are deeply pinched in manufacture and both retain supreme shape, even these fragile areas are straight and undamaged or rubbed. All text is perfect and well-centred under clear, scuff-free laminate.

Corners: All look practically as-made again with fantastic wear-free shape, no knocks or dinks.

Cover Summary: One to hold and admire, they hardly get better, this is near reference standard and will please most-all collectors.

The Inner Sleeve: EXCELLENT: this blue lined Island inner still has the basing street address, so I cannot be sure if this is the one that came with the record. Possibly still using remainders prior to the st peter version? This retains the pastel-blue colour well with minimal fading or ageing with all edges unsplit. Minor traces of toning near the edges and a little corner creasing and crinkle. The polylining inside is loose, but many dont have it at all.

Vinyl Condition/Visual Grading: EXCELLENT(++): this being very critical with any surface traces or blemishes minimal and faint, even as seen critically under bright angled light. A superb visual copy time has largely overlooked – as did the previous original owner. Very clean with fresh shiny surface, scant evidence of any usage and this audiophile sound. Few early examples will survive a great deal better. Like the cover, one to please most collectors.

Album Played For Grading: Yes. [I play ALL records I offer before submitting to Ebay, also the record is played in its entirety unless clearly stated otherwise. I do NOT play snippets or joining grooves to check for sound quality and quietness – I play from the beginning to end via clinically revealing B&W speakers that include the legendary tweeter from their awesome Nautilus range that reveals every blemish or minuscule sound present on any record.]

Sound Quality and Audio Grading: This prog classic plays up to, and beyond it’s high visual grading which can never be taken for granted on any King Crimson album. I can never emphasise enough how difficult this band’s albums are on vinyl, along with van der Graaf Generator this pair are consistently the most difficult to find on record that will play well due a) the nature of the complex music and sound and b) the massive scale of alternating quiet and loud passages, indeed some so quiet as to be near silent. And not all Island pressings are of the highest quality, as many collectors will already know – I simply wish they were. This record is like a powder keg waiting to EXPLODE on to your system. It plays beautifully and totally distortion-free with minimal traces of anything unwanted and no tracking issues*. Total silence is an almost impossible ask and often this, and others from their early Island catalogue, offer far too much crackle, this has minimal traces at all. I will never state ‘silent’ as I fear it is nigh-on impossible. Especially as I play my records on such a revealing Linn LP12 Sondek. This has phenomenal in-built power with the climax to ‘Starless’ near ear-shattering and will test out even high-end hi-fi system when played at high volume – an experience not to be missed by vinyl rock lovers. This breathtaking finale still leaves me awestruck and I am NOT exaggerating – just listen to Wetton’s bass chords that go head-to-head with Fripp’s mellotron and Collins soprano saxophone, for this listener, it ranks as one of rocks greatest crescendos and no prog-rock lover should ever be without it. Bruford’s powerhouse percussion throughout has to be mentioned as well, for me, there are few better. These totally unworn and barely run-in grooves carry enough information and slam to make the lights dip in a room if played loud enough. I still remember this album from my pre-marriage days on my orginal Linn LP12, Naim active 6-piece amp system and SBLs and little else made this system sound better – enough! Such lightly played copies are at a premium and this is a very strong all-round copy with both record and cover exceptional – one of the most awesome rock albums ever made, a fitting finale to the first phase ‘early’ King Crimson, and most agree, they were never this good again. Like ALL the albums they made previously, this is essential listening and this is a copy that merits my highest recommendation. Light blue touch paper, relax and enjoy!!

* As played-graded on a high-end Linn LP12 Sondek turntable with Ittok Mk II arm and Ortofon Quintet Black moving coil cartridge tracking at 2.2 grams.

Now one of the most established sellers on Ebay and still offering the finest and most accurately described and graded records I can find. I pride myself on offering a variety of genres to keep my site as interesting as possible. I will rarely offer any record that falls below a true Excellent grading, unless its of a certain rarity which will justify offering a lesser grade. I try, to the best of my ability to describe as accurately and as honesty as I can all items I offer for sale with all the relevant information I can think of to help any potential bidder and collector. You may notice I only submit records sparingly on Ebay as I Play-Grade every record I offer in their entirety – also on higher-end equipment – not just bits to guess a grade - visuals alone do not always tell a true or full story. I will mention any defects or flaws no matter how small that I notice to be fair as possible to any interested collector – I am very fussy and my buyers have the right to be too. Every record I offer, whether it be a common or rare item deserves the same respect as far as I am concerned and will be treated the same - just because an item is rare does not always mean it’s good. I get just as much pleasure offering a relatively common record in stunning near mint condition as the real rare items. All the pictures I use for your guidance are taken with a digital camera or scanned - they are NOT improved, cleaned-up or made better looking than they are with camera trickery or enhancing with digital programmes. Room light factors can make things vary sometimes, that is hard to control, especially in winter. If any picture I take looks more flattering than the actual item for any reason, I will clearly state the fact in the advert and vice-versa. I hope the item below is to your liking - any questions can be emailed and I will do my very best to answer you. I am enthusiastic, and have a fair degree of knowledge about many genres and I promise quality items - bid with confidence - excellence comes as standard and so does Near Mint regularly. Please assume all records I offer have NO jumps, sticks, warps or writing on covers or labels unless clearly stated to the contrary. Thanks for your interest and Good luck – MIKE.

Deck: Linn LP12/Hercules/Cirkus with Ittok Mk II arm and Ortofon Quintet Black moving coil cartridge (tracks at 2.2 grams). Amps: Naim Supernait 2 with Project USB phono stage and Tellerium Black interconnects. Speakers: B&W 704 Floorstanding 3-way Monitors (bi-wired with Tellurium Black terminated cable). All records I offer on Ebay are cleaned on a professional VPI-17 vacuum machine before play-grading for the cleanest and best possible sound and will include a brand new lined inner and protective cover too. Pictures taken with a Nikon D5000 SLR Digital Camera.

PACKING - THIS IS WHAT YOU GET.

What You Get: To confirm to the strict Ebay rules on shipping, I must now send ALL my packets ‘Signed-For’ with NO exceptions. Both buyers and sellers want their packets to have a safer journey and this is not a bad thing.

I now offer the fastest possible posting, often the very next day after payment is received or within two to three days maximum (unless on holiday). I only use FIRST-CLASS Mail. The record’s cover will be placed within a BRAND NEW soft protective sleeve and the actual record will be professionally cleaned on my new VPI-17 Pro vacuum system to give ultimate clean grooves and playing surfaces and the best possible looks and ultimate sound quality. You will NOT get tired, dull looking, dust infested records inside worn and foggy covers with tatty inners from this seller and that’s a promise and guarantee. All records are posted in professional boxes (NOT Mailers, these do not offer any real protection). The record(s) are REMOVED from their main cover to avoid edge splits and placed within a brand new polylined inner. The record’s original inner will be included if available. The boxes are then reinforced with at least TWO, ULTRA THICK stiffeners for maximum extra protection – these are FOUR TIMES thicker than commercial stiffeners and are custom-made for oneadayrecords. Really rare and expensive albums will even be Double Boxed if deemed necessary and possible. When larger boxes are used, the thick record and stiffener ‘sandwich’ is then thickly embedded into bubble-wrap to bulk out the record inside the box to centre the item inside to reduce the risk of damage still further. Printed address labels are used for clarity as well as a sender label. Customers requests or special needs for P&P will be respected if at all possible but ‘Signed-For’ posting is NOT an option anymore. I do not profit on posting, better quality packaging costs, I offer probably the best-value and safest shipping possible for ultimate confidence. The boxes and ultra thick double-wall stiffeners make a near impregnable fortress for safe shipping and this is used inland and overseas for ALL my records, not just the rare and expensive. I will invoice any winning bidder as soon as possible after the auction ends. My ‘loss’ or ‘damage rate’ is minuscule in over 14 years of Ebay trading and I consider that pretty exceptional. The only damage rate acceptable for this seller is ZERO and I think my packets will offer just that. It would take a vicious postman or postal service to damage these for sure. Oneadayrecords is a MAILER-FREE ZONE – they offer next-to-no-protection, and should be banned, no ‘professional’ should consider using them in my opinion. I discount of course for multiple purchases with a maximum of FIVE records per box (one double can sometimes be included subject to total weight). All postage costs are below and at the top of the listing.

NOTE: First Time Bidders: Please ask me first.

PLEASE NOTE: I now exercise my right to open a dispute after the Ebay rule of TWO days if no payment is received. I will then cancel the dispute to end the bid, again after the mandatory FOUR days and then offer the item to the runner-up or relist. The non-payer will also be blocked from my Ebay site as will any suspicious bids or bid withdrawals. Small businesses need prompt payment to trade and these strict rules WILL be applied.

SHIPPING COSTS & CONDITIONS – THESE comply with EBAY’S RULES - PLEASE READ CAREFULLY:

Posting & Packing: UK & CHANNEL ISLANDS all now sent via Recorded Delivery:

1 LP (FIRST-CLASS Recorded Delivery with Standard Royal Mail Insurance) [Signed For] = £4.75

1 LP (Special Delivery with Standard £500 Maximum Insurance) [Signed For, Next Day] = £7.50. (this includes insurance of £500). Add £1 per extra LP.

Posting & Packing: EUROPE & SCANDINAVIA. (Airmail Only):

1 LP (Small Packet ‘Signed For’ with Standard Royal Mail Insurance [£50 maximum]) = £12.50 (enhanced Royal Mail insurance is an optional extra £3). Add £2 per extra LP.

Posting & Packing: ALL OVERSEAS (non-European) e.g. USA (ANY PART OF); South America; New Zealand; Australia; Canada; Japan and other Far East; (Airmail Only: I NEVER use Surface Mail):

1 LP (Small Packet ‘Signed For’ with Standard Royal Mail Insurance [£50 maximum]) = £16.50 (£17.50 for double sets). Add £3 per extra LP. (enhanced Royal Mail insurance is an optional extra £3)

Payment Conditions:

I prefer PayPal or cheque from UK winning bidders. I can accept PayPal from overseas bidders or direct payment into my bank account.

Potential Bidders: I will cancel any bids I feel are time-wasters. A maximum 3 days for communication and 7 days for payment to arrive - if not I will relist the item or offer to the runner-up. Fast deals get great feedback from me. Any questions - please ask and thanks for looking.

My Guarantee: If any winning bidder is not satisfied with their purchase I will offer a complete refund. I will not refund if any defect detail is clearly stated on the advert and missed by the buyer, so read the item description carefully. If any overseas collector does not understand anything in my listing, please email and ask me to help. Thank You.

SOME GENERAL GUIDES TO WEAR AND CONDITIONS TO HELP YOU DECIDE

My Use of Description Terminology: Surface Marks = Superficial, usually light marks, hairlines or light scuffs that rarely sound. Scratch = a needle mark that goes below the record’s surface, some will sound, some will not, my play-grade will inform. Original = a record that has been pressed with the first label design which does NOT necessarily mean a very first pressed record. First Pressing = A record that I believe or know to be a genuine very first pressed record. I do not claim to always know for sure, and that’s why I state the stamper and matrix numbers if at all possible, for those who claim to know what they all mean, the information is there for the collector to decide. I prefer to use terms like ‘Early Copy’ rather than ‘First Pressing’ if I am not totally sure. Surface Sound = Mild, light sound, usually light crackle or similar. Distortion = Break up of the actual sound caused by groove wear or damage from a chipped stylus – the most undesirable form of unwanted sound, vintage mono records were the most prone to this happening but not exclusively so. The symptoms of distortion are high frequency clipping, moderate constant crackle or an echo type sound quality. Violin, piano and vocals are most prone to groove-wear distortion. Feathering = Fraying or softening of the entry edge of a cover. Covers with feathered entrance edges are more likely to have had the actual record inserted and removed more than a non-feathered, sharp-edged cover which are always far more attractive. Set Off, actually a printer’s term for dark ink leaving mild residue on pale or white ink when rested upon. e.g. when a gatefold cover has black ink closed against white, this can leave some black residue on the pale area – this is mostly unavoidable or course.

The Argument for Vinyl Original sound and mix (mono mixes are rarely available on CD), high quality sound on clean copies (played on a hi-end dedicated analogue system – breathtaking sound!), beautiful, large format covers, artwork, inserts and even full size posters etc; huge investment potential, and the pleasure of owning ‘the real thing’.