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Nick Drake : Bryter Layter A-1U / B-1U 1st Press 1971 Island Records

This genuine first pressing is about as good as it gets!  The audio is as close to perfect that I have ever found and there is no interference.  As always I have played every track in full so as to provide a 'complete' grade and the clarity, depth and warmth of the audio is incredible!  This classic and very collectable album has only been very lightly played and that is reflected in the sonic quality.  There are no clicks or pops and only the bare minimum of background on a couple of tracks as detailed below.  I cannot emphasise enough how immaculate the audio is and even this 'background' is so so quiet.  In my opinion this is a FINAL UPGRADE archive pressing such is the audio quality on offer here.  From start to finish it plays with such impeccable precision, beautiful audio!  Not surprisingly the vinyl is visually stunning and it is clear it has only been lightly played over the last 55 years.

The E.J. Day textured cover has some wear on the edges and spine but is otherwise in excellent order.  The original Island inner, with the 'i' logo and Basing Street address at the foot of each side is in very good condition.

This first pressing has a number of label characteristics.  The track times are not in brackets and Island Records Ltd is only seen on later pressings.  STEREO is shown on the first press and the Joe Boyd credit is on one line only.

ILPS 9134  A-1U  A 1   ---   ILPS 9134  B-1U  H 1

The audio on S1 is Mint(-) (T1 Near Mint)

The audio on S2 is Mint(-) (T2 intro Near Mint)

The E.J. Day textured cover is Ex-

The Island inner sleeve is VG+

The Island labels are Mint-

Visual description

The vinyl is in lovely condition and still has a stunning glossy sheen with no marks or scratches.  Under a bright light I can only see some very faint hairlines and there is nothing that stands out.  In 'normal' light it is pristine!  There is no groove or surface wear, no 'bag rash' and the palm tree Island labels are super clean with very little spindle wear.

Play grading

The opening section on 'Introduction' has only the lightest of background static right at the very start.  It's so quiet and you really wouldn't notice it unless you listening very intently.  From then onwards it plays beautifully with only a couple of minor statics and Near Mint is very much deserved.

The intro on 'Hazey Jane II' plays with stunning precision and Drake's opening vocal section is just as clean and 'fresh' sounding.  The mid instrumental is 'as new' and the final two verses interjected by another instrumental play with exceptional clarity and warmth once more.  This is without doubt a Mint version - even the fade out has no background.

'At The Chime Of A City Clock' also impresses on so many levels.  The acoustic intro has only a couple of very quiet background statics and the opening verses are perfect.  The first chorus has not so much as a dust tick and it continues to play with a clarity and definition that is second to none.  Drake's delivery is of course so unique and his vocal 'sound' here is exemplary.  Every instrumental section plays with sublime quality and I have no hesitation in grading this classic as Mint such is the sonic quality on offer here.

The acoustic / piano intro on 'One Of These Things First' is perfect and the opening vocal is just as impressive.  The following 'chorus' is close to that with only a couple of very quiet ticks but honestly they are so so quiet.  From then on it plays with phenomenal clarity and depth - I mean how often can this record have been played?!  The audio is so clean and clinical and the mid instrumental is as prime example of that, pure audio perfection!  The final vocal section has no background and the closing instrumental is of the same high end standard including the fade out.  I'm going to say Mint- because those two ticks are so delicate and totally non-intrusive.  A stunning version.

'Hazey Jane I' ends the side with amazing clarity once more.  The intro has literally no background and the opening vocal section plays with impeccable clarity and warmth.  Robert Kirby's string arrangements do add another element to the album 'sound' and they play beautifully here.  The instrumental bridge has no intrusion and the second verse is... just perfect.  The clarity, warmth and definition for a final track is STUNNING and sonically I believe it compares to how it would have sounded back in '71 if not better on this stereo set up!  The final vocal section is of the same standard and the closing strings section could not play any better... ok one minor static right at the end but you get what I mean.  I will grade it as Mint- but even the minus could be considered a little harsh!  Quite simply I am blown away by the audio quality on this side and from start to finish the playback is spectacular in so many ways!

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The intro on 'Bryter Layter' plays so clearly with no intrusion, a couple of barely audible statics that is all.  This instrumental continues in the same precise way - again the clarity of sound cannot be faulted.  A kind of upbeat number for Nick with a very summery feel!  Every section plays beautifully and Mint- is very much deserved.

The intro on 'Fly' has a minimal touch of very light static for a couple of seconds and the first verse then plays to perfection as does the following chorus.  From then on it plays with sublime quality and John Cale's viola and harpsichord backing adds so much to this classic track.  I'll grade the intro as Near Mint but the remainder is easily Mint

The intro on 'Poor Boy' has no interference and the opening verses play without fault.  The first chorus is just as strong and clear and it continues to play with remarkable clarity and depth.  The combined efforts of Troy and Arnold sound superb here and the piano work is so clean and precise also, there is no background of any kind.  Musically it's quite a 'busy' track and yet there is no fighting for space, the clarity of sound is stunning!  Drake may sadly have sold in small number during his all too brief lifetime but he certainly knew how to bring in top musicians.  Joe Boyd's influence I guess.  This track grades as Mint from the first note to the last.  What a version!

The gentle intro on the classic 'Northern Sky' is 'as new' and the first verse is as clean as when first pressed.  Stunning clarity and warmth in other words!  The second vocal is just as impressive and the mid instrumental has zero intrusion.  This is one seriously good album!  The final vocal section again plays with outstanding sonic quality and the closing instrumental is nigh on perfect with only one minor static, blink and you miss it!  This emotive track is Mint- easily if not better!

'Sunday' closes the album in fine style with no intrusion.  There are a couple of minor statics on the acoustic / flute intro but as I say, no intrusive.  As it builds the audio is crystal clear and it continues with a clarity, warmth and depth that is comparable to an un-played track.  I cannot praise it highly enough and it provides a stunning uplifting finish to this classic album.  Warleigh's flute is of course the cornerstone of this instrumental and during the quiet end section it plays beautifully.  This is undoubtedly another Mint- track.  I do not wish to sound repetitive but to find this first pressing playing with such stunning precision is so rare.  What a find!

The Cover & Island Inner Sleeve

The E.J. Day textured cover is in very good to excellent condition with just some rubbing / wear on the edges being the only downside.  The top and bottom edges have some wear but there is some more rubbing on the spine as can be seen.  Aside from that it is very clean and it has retained its original shape extremely well.  The corners have only a little wear and the opening edge is very clean with minimal handling wear.  The front cover is in great shape and has minimal surface 'rub' mainly at the top and bottom and the back cover is very much the same.  Not perfect clearly but a very respectable cover nonetheless.

The original poly-lined Island inner has no side splits or tears but does have some marking around the edges which is mainly caused by the glue 'showing' through which holds it together.  It has a small sticker on one side also and only minimal creasing.

ILPS 9134  A-1U  A 1   ---   ILPS 9134  B-1U  H 1

Play tested on my Rega P2 with AT-VM95EN Cart / Denon PMA-520AE Amp / B&W 684 Speakers

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

I grade according to "Record Collector" guidelines.

Any questions please feel free to ask

Please pay within 4 days of auction end

Recent Feedback

Postage & Packaging

I will only send items items worldwide via tracked shipping.  This provides 'peace of mind' in case of loss or damage.  The shipping costs are shown below and combined shipping is always offered.  Any over-payment will always be refunded.

The Royal Mail only insure up to a value of £250 so if an item sells for more it may be wise to use a courier service (e.g. Parcelforce or DPD).  An extra insurance premium will be required but I will not know the exact amount until the final sale price is known.  Because of this I will sometimes have to estimate the cost and this will be shown in the listing.  Please wait for the invoice before making payment and if you have any questions please feel free to ask.  Many thanks.

All vinyls are packaged in strong over-sized custom made mailers with plenty of extra cardboard protection.  They are placed inside separate poly-lined inners outside the cover so as to avoid seam splits in transit and then placed inside a PVC sleeve to provide even more protection.  I pride myself on my high quality packaging as my feed confirms and if any customer has any specific requirements I am more than happy to help.

The mailers I use cost £1.00 each and I will use anything between 3-5 cardboard stiffeners which cost approx £0.18 each.  There is also the cost of the poly-lined inner and PVC sleeve to consider, it all adds up!  Not forgetting that eBay take 10% of the shipping fee also!!

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