Queen : Jazz 1U/1U 1st Press with Attached Poster

This FINAL UPGRADE first pressing is a genuine rarity.  One, the poster is still attached to the cover and two, the audio is absolutely stunning!  A full play grading is given below but this may well be the most impressive 1U/1U I have ever played.  The sonic quality is phenomenal and I have just never heard clarity like it!  Remarkably the final tracks on each side have no distortion and the clarity and depth of each track cannot be faulted.

It's a bit of a strange one in a way why this vinyl does play with such stunning quality.  Yes it is very 'clean' with only minimal spindle wear but I have sold many others that are visually as good but the audio is not of the same standard.  A early run on the 'printing press' can sometimes aid the clarity of the audio but as can be seen this one has three stampers on each side so it's not exactly an early.  It can only be that the record has been so carefully handled and preserved down the years plus only played on 'high end' equipment that has resulted in such immaculate audio.  The winning bidder will not be disappointed I can assure you of that!

The embossed cover is in excellent condition with only a little fading around the edges of the front cover and rarely the infamous poster is still attached.  The original inner is also in great order with no side splits.

EMA 788 // YAX 5550 - 1U / YAX 5551 - 1U // GPD 7 / GAL 6

The audio on S1 is Mint(-)

The audio on S2 is Mint(-)

The gatefold is Ex

The attached poster is Mint

The picture inner is Mint-

The labels are Mint-

This is a visually stunning vinyl and retains an immaculate glossy sheen.  There are no marks or scratches and only a small number of very faint hairlines which have no affect on the stunning audio.  There are just 3/4 faint spindle traces on each side and and the run out grooves and labels are also in superb condition.

Play grading

The run in on S1 is immaculate and the opening vocal on 'Mustapha' is superb.  All you can hear is Freddie's vocal, there is no 'background' at all not even a dust tick!  It continues to play with outstanding quality and I have never noticed the bass coming through as strongly before.  Whoever wins this album just listen out for it - it is unique!  This is breathtaking version and the clarity and definition of the audio is of a level that can only be described 'as new'.  It is Mint and provides a dynamic start to this first pressing.

The iconic intro on 'Fat Bottomed Girls' plays with perfect precision as does...the remainder!  The clarity cannot be faulted and every note of this classic plays with stunning quality.  Mint again.  So far I cannot believe what I am hearing!

'Jealousy' more than keeps up this 'high end' standard and from the intro to the fade out there is literally no interference.  It is a beautiful version and with only a hint of light static at the end of the fade out I am more than happy to grade this as Mint

'Bicycle Race' is stunning from the first groove and continues to play with great clarity and depth.  The entire 'bell ringing' section is just so impressive - a couple of barely audible dust ticks and that's it!  To the end it plays with wonderful quality although (shock!) there is a little static on the final note so will grade as Mint- accordingly.

'If You Can't Beat Them' often plays with a fair amount of distortion but that is not the case here perhaps showing just how infrequently this record has been played.  This is one of the finest examples of this underrated track that I have ever heard.  There is no interference and the clarity and definition of the audio can rightly be described as Mint once more.  It is a fantastic version from the first note to the last.

The same may apply to 'Let Me Entertain You' as the playback is...STUNNING!  It plays with such power and definition and there is no obvious inner groove distortion.  I cannot overstate how rare this is as it is practically unheard of for this track to play with such immaculate clarity.  With only a couple of static sounds at the end of the 'crowd' section this is Mint- in every way.  I am sure I have never given this track such a high grade and it pays testament to how well this record has been looked after over the last 42 years.  What a version and what a side!

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'Dead On Time' on S2 plays with the same distinction as S1 I am pleased to say.  The clarity and power again is flawless and this 'heavy' number is as good as the day it was when first released in '78!  No clicks, pops, static or crackle and not even a dust tick!  I've never heard a crack of thunder like it (!) and the fade out plays perfectly.  Mint all the way.

'In Only Seven Days' is a relatively quiet track and yet there is no interference.  It is Mint with not even a solitary dust tick.  I clean all my records and it's certainly done a good job here!

'Dreamers Ball' is equally as good with only a handful of barely audible dust ticks but this does not classify as interference of course.  The clarity is again 'as new' and Mint is deserved for sure.

I have no wish to sound repetitive but 'Fun It' plays with immaculate audio again so let's keep this brief.  Mint

The acoustic intro on 'Leaving Home Ain't Easy' has no 'background' and as Brian's vocal begins there is no let up in quality.  This is a beautiful version with no interference and only a minimal barely heard static right at the end.  Still Mint in my opinion.

The classic 'Don't Stop me Now' plays with imperious quality throughout and no sign of any interference.  No static on the fade out either.  A pure Mint version I am happy to say :-)

'More Of That Jazz' ends this unbelievable first pressing in the same way that it started, with incredible clarity and depth and no interference.  As per the final track on S1 it has no distortion and the playback is faultless.

In summary this may well be the finest example of a first pressing that I have ever had the pleasure in listening to.  I grade honestly as my regulars know and respect and the clarity and depth of the audio on both sides is outstanding.  In a way it is the final tracks that are the most impressive as there is just no distortion at all.  In saying that the other tracks are 'as new' and it is so rare for a first pressing to have no clicks, pops or crackle and only 4,5 seconds or inconsequential static which you only find at the end of the fade outs anyway!  The cover is in excellent condition with only minimal wear and as stated the infamous poster is still attached which again you rarely see today.  A stunning 'package' that is a needle in a haystack find as we say in the UK!

The Gatefold & Poster

The G&L embossed cover perhaps isn't quite as perfect as the audio but is nonetheless in excellent shape with only minimal wear and is certainly better than so many you see.  The top and bottom edge of the front cover have a little rubbing but the other edges remain very clean.  The spine has a little rubbing also but is still 100% legible and all corners have only a minimal amount of wear.  The opening edge looks untouched.  The front cover is in excellent shape and has only a little fading around the edges mainly next to the spine, I must stress that this fading is only minor though.  The back cover is in superb condition which is a rarity as so much of it is white of course.  The inside of the gatefold is in immaculate condition and overall this cover is very impressive with no major issues.

The 'bicycle' poster is super clean with no marking and is still 80% attached.  It is only at the top and bottom where a couple of perforations are loose. 

The Picture Inner

The original inner with the rounded corners is in superb shape with no side splits and is also very clean.  It is practically 'as new' with no obvious wear, just a couple of barely visible white 'specks'.

The Labels

They are in great condition with no marking or writing and very minimal spindle wear as stated.  

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

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

EMA 788 // YAX 5550 - 1U / YAX 5551 - 1U // GPD 7 / GAL 6

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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