Popol Vuh, Affenstunde, orig. LP, German Liberty, Krautrock

$

81

Popol Vuh - Affenstunde

Year: 1970

Label: Liberty, LBS 83 460 (German issue)

Fidelity:  Stereo

Condition (vinyl/cover, see below): NM/VG+.   

First record from Florian Fricke and friends. The vinyl is absolutely lovely – looks like it was just pressed yesterday. Gatefold cover is in nice condition, some chipping along the edges.

From AllMusic Guide: Affenstunde is the debut recording by composer and multi-instrumentalist Florian Fricke's Popol Vuh, named for the sacred Mayan text. It was issued on the Liberty label in Germany in 1970 and has been in print, off and on, in Europe, Japan, and even in the United States sporadically since that time. For those completely dislocated by Tangerine Dream's early experiments in sonic terror and dynamics, Affenstunde is somehow akin yet very different. Fricke's synthesizers are more interested in pulse and circularity, not utter dislocation and shock. The music here all seems of a piece, despite the different selection titles and the single percussion piece on the set, "Dream, Pt. 5" -- primitive hand drums run through the middle of the mix. Other than this selection, the entire album would have made a fantastic soundtrack for Andrei Tarkovsky's film Solaris. The sheer momentum of the title cut, which closes the album and integrates spacious electronic soundscapes, ever deepening tonalities, found taped choral vocals whispering in the background, and percussion is one of the most provocative pieces to come from the Krautrock generation. This is an auspicious debut, which holds up wonderfully in the 21st century.

General information, shipping, and payment:

Unless stated otherwise, all records are original pressings; no reissues, no bootlegs.  Records are graded according to the guide below.  Any noticeable flaws or imperfections will be noted above.  As nothing is more irritating as receiving a VG record when NM is expected, I try my best to grade conservatively.  If you like what you see here, please take a look at my other listings on eBay this week for similar records.

Prior to shipping, records will be cleaned on my Nitty Gritty record cleaner, placed in a plastic sleeve with the record outside of the its cover, and secured in a new record mailer. 

Within the US the records can be sent by either USPS first class ($4 for the first lp, $1 for each additional) or priority mail ($6 for the first lp, $1 for each additional. Acceptable forms of payment for US buyers are: PayPal, personal check. If, once received, the record is not as described, I will refund the bid price as soon as the record is returned.

International shipping via airmail will be quoted at cost (average is $13 to $15 for one lp to most European locations). International winners must use PayPal and all sales are considered final.

Condition and grading:

Near Mint (NM): A nearly perfect record: Any visible defects are the type that "disappear" when the record is tilted under a strong light and should not affect play. Sleeves in near mint condition will have no

obvious signs of wear. Practically imperceptible ring wear may be allowed but no creases, seam splits, or other easily detected flaws will be present

Excellent (EX): A very clean record.  In other words, near mint with the exception of slight, superficial signs of wear. Sleeves in this condition may have marginal defects, but will not have significant creases or splits. Otherwise, a NM cover with a cut-out hole or similar remainder mark.

Very Good Plus (VG+): A generally well-cared-for record that is noticeably less than perfect, but defects are not visually or audibly distracting. Record surfaces may have slight scuffs or light scratches, but are still primarily clean. Sleeves may have some creases or ring wear, but should not have noticeably split seams.  Otherwise, an EX cover with a cut-out hole or similar remainder mark.

Very Good (VG): A used, reasonable copy to play. Many of the defects found in a VG+ copy will be more pronounced in VG condition. Surface noise may be evident and sleeves may look worn, but, still a reasonable copy that should play through with only minimal distractions.