Sparks Kimono My House A-1/B-2 Stampers 1st Pressing NM/NM- LP

$

25

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Marquee D'Sounde

Rare and Collectible Records and Books

Providing the finest available since 1974 !

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SHIPPING OFFER! Add an unlimited amount of albums to this purchase from my   at no extra shipping charge in USA!

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Sparks

(Ron Mael and Russell Mael)

Close To The Edge

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VPI Cleaned and Zerostated

A-1/B-2 Stampers

First Pressing

Inner Lyric Sleeve

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Record Information

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Check the pictures and feedback for one of the nicest copies available on the internet!

Original Deep Groove Vinyl

Rich Sonic Analog Recording

Not A Re-Issue with No UPC Code

Stored In Heavy Plastic Outer Sleeve Since Purchase

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Official Release Information

Label: ILPS 9272

Released: 1974

Format: 12" vinyl LP (album), 33 1/3 RPM

Disc Condition

Near Mint

Visual Inspection

No notable exceptions

Cover Condition

Near Mint Minus

Visual Inspection

Edge and Corner Wear

Dead Wax Information

(A) T1 ILPS 9272 - A-1

(B) T1 ILPS 9272 - B-2

Why Pressing/Dead wax information is important?

Like a knife, the more times the master cuts into vinyl  the duller it gets. Each subsequent pressing gets duller, rolling out the crisp cut of the original pressing. This results in less sonic resonance. The first pressings are the truest duplication of what the master engineer intended.

The mastering also matter. The Mastering engineer critically listens to the tape recording, making critical adjustment to them as he goes. This can create very different listening experiences from disc to disc. This is why you see Re-Mastered so often, to improve (or sometime the opposite) the original sound.

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Artist Information

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Sparks is an American rock band formed in Los Angeles in 1971 by brothers Ron (keyboards) and Russell Mael (vocals), renamed from Halfnelson, formed in 1968. Known for their quirky approach to songwriting,  Sparks' music is often accompanied by intelligent, sophisticated, and acerbic lyrics, and an idiosyncratic, theatrical stage presence, typified in the contrast between Russell's wide-eyed hyperactive frontman antics and Ron's sedentary scowling. They are also noted for Russell Mael's falsetto voice and Ron Mael's keyboard style.

While achieving chart success in various countries around the world including the United Kingdom, Germany, France, and the United States, they have enjoyed a cult following since their first releases. During the late 1970s, when in collaboration with Giorgio Moroder (and Telex subsequently), Sparks reinvented themselves as a new wave/synthpop duo, and abandoned the traditional rock band line up. Their frequently changing styles and visual presentations have kept the band at the forefront of modern, artful pop music.

The 2002 release of Lil' Beethoven, their "genre-defying opus", as well as the more recent albums Hello Young Lovers (2006, their 20th studio album), Exotic Creatures of the Deep (2008), and their latest fantasy musical The Seduction of Ingmar Bergman (2009–2010) have brought Sparks renewed critical and commercial success, and seen them continue to "steer clear of pop conventions." The band also released an album with Scottish indie rock band Franz Ferdinand, as the supergroup FFS, titled FFS, released on June 8, 2015.

Sparks are best known for the songs "This Town Ain't Big Enough for Both of Us", which reached number 2 in the British charts in 1974; the electronic hit "The Number One Song in Heaven" in 1979; "When I'm With You" which topped the French Charts in 1980; the single "I Predict", which provided Sparks' first appearance on the Billboard Hot 100, reaching No. 60 in May 1982; the 1984 single "Cool Places" with Go-Go Jane Wiedlin, and "When Do I Get To Sing 'My Way'" which topped the German and European charts in 1994/95 and was the top airplay record in Germany for 1994.

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International Buyers Welcome

Please Note:

Import duties, taxes, and charges are not included in the item price or shipping cost. These charges are the buyer's responsibility.

Please check with your country's customs office to determine what these additional costs will be prior to bidding or buying.

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All records are shipped in Heavy duty record shipping boxes with inner cardboard support, record removed from cover to prevent splitting seams during shipping.

And as always, if you are not satisfied with our description of the condition of your purchase - we offer a full refund and pay shipping to return the item !

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A little about me and the items I sell

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I started collecting records and music memorabilia in about 1968. While traipsing around Southeast Asia for Uncle Sam, music was that lifeline to home and the world we came from. When I returned home to New Jersey, I became involved in the music industry and music became a passion. Needless to say I am not a kid anymore and I want to find good homes for these treasures and not see them end up at the Yard Sale of my life! What you see at my store is a collection of these treasures. Over the past 30 years I have sold off many very rare and hard to find items and have many, many more to offer. My passion for the rarest of rare and the finest quality available is still reflected in what you are offered here! Enjoy!!

Marquee D'Sounde ?

The Marquee D'Sounde was a music promotion company that I formed in the 70's. An obvious play on words, with the Marquis' De Sade and Marquee of Sound. It promoted a variety of music related venues, hence the Marquee for displaying our offerings. At record trade shows in the late 70's and early 80's as well as in Goldmine magazine the name Marquee D'Sounde became synonymous with the best quality available in collectibles! As you can see from the Feedback, I provide Quality Items and fast reliable service with secure packaging. Many buyers are repeat buyers!

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A Brief Discussion On Condition

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Historically sealed albums have been selling for huge prices simply because they are sealed. Sealed albums are in many cases a later pressing bought in some bargain bin or reissues that have since gone out of print. Prime examples are the ones with the “Nice Price” stickers. You can be assured these are later pressings off of old masters. Not always but quite frequently. Rarely did the first pressing of any record make it to the bargain bin unless the record was a flop. That’s not to say that a flop back then isn’t a treasure today. We find that frequently and in those cases a sealed album is a treasure.

Back in the day every record distributor had a sealing machine and would reseal albums. These would end up in the bargain bins. That is why you see the stretching on the corners of many of them offered on eBay. Original sealed albums will usually be squared on the cover and not have signs of stretching around the corners. Unless you plan on leaving the album sealed and reselling it, you are better off with a true Near Mint to Mint pressing from a reputable record dealer. You know what you get.

All of these claims regarding complicated record cleaning systems mean you are getting records that have not had the care they should have had. If the record was cared for properly it won't need these complicated cleanings! A quick spin on the VPI will remove any soiling not caused by abuse.

A properly cared for album (NM or M) should look as close as possible to the record that came out when it was first opened.

Most records come from my personal collection accumulated during my years in the music industry. When purchased new or received as a promotional copy, the album or single was placed in a plastic outer sleeve and sometimes a plastic inner sleeve. When possible the records will include these plastic sleeves.

Many were never played!

I rate rather conservatively but work closely with Goldmine standards. My Near Mint ratings are generally what everybody else rates as Mint or Brand New.

I try very hard to give accurate descriptions of the records and check them prior to shipment to ensure that the condition advertised is indeed what I ship. If there is something that I missed I will notify you prior to shipment. In turn, if you receive your record and the condition is not what you expected, let me know and we will arrange to return the record with a full refund.

Shipment Information

All records are carefully packaged and shipped in heavy duty commercial grade #200 corrugated Record shipping boxes!

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Buyer Instructions

Payments:

All payments are expected immediately but if time is needed please advise and pay within 10 days. All payments must be received in US funds. Preferred payment method is Paypal.

Feedback:

I will leave feedback for you once I have received confirmation that you have received your item and that the item met your expectations. Our transaction is not over until you are satisfied. Once you leave feedback, I will leave positive feedback for you.

Contact me if there are any problems or questions.

Thank you for stopping by!!