The Jimi Hendrix Experience : Electric Ladyland A1 / A2 / B2 / B2 Early Track Record Pressing

This early pressing on the Track Record label plays with superb audio and with a clarity, depth and power that could hardly be any more impressive.  There are so many highlights but the classics 'Voodoo Chile' and '1983 (A Merman I Should Turn To Be)' in particular stand out.  No exaggeration they both play 'as new' with a sonic quality that is just STUNNING, I have never heard better.  The only interference, if you can call it that, is a little distortion on Side D but this is well documented as I have described below.  It still plays exceptionally well but isn't quite as immaculate as the other three sides!  It is worth noting that there are no ticks, clicks or pops on any of the four sides.

The vinyls are also the most visually stunning examples I have ever seen.  There are totally unmarked and I cannot even locate any hairlines.  There is NO spindle wear and I would not be surprised if they had never been played before such is the quality.  The gatefold is in excellent condition with only minimal wear (a rarity!) and the original inner sleeves are also in excellent order.

This is of course a later Track Record pressing as it has a 1/2/2/2 matrix and 'Two Record Set' on the labels.  The gatefold however is a first press cover in that it has the smaller photos of Redding and Mitchell on the inside.  They were not happy with this hence why their photos are larger on later pressings.

Side A / 6130 #### (17 etched above) A // 1   1 6 9 0 1   8

Side B / 613009 A ▽ 2   420   1 1   1 2

Side C / 613009 B // 2   420   1 1  1 2

Side D / 613008 B ▽ 2   420   1 2 9

The audio on S1 is Mint(-)

The audio S2 is Mint(-) (T5 Near Mint)

The audio on S3 is Mint(-)

The audio on S4 is Near Mint (T2 Ex+)

The gatefold is Ex

The Track Record labels are Mint

The original inner sleeves are Ex+

Visual grading

The vinyls are in beautiful condition and still have an immaculate jet-black glossy sheen and no marks or scratches.  I have inspected them both closely under a bright light and I cannot even find any sleeve removal hairlines that's how stunning they are!  There is obviously no groove wear and the Track Record labels are perfect with no spindle wear at all.  Both these records are stunning!

Play grading

'And The Gods Made Love' plays with stunning clarity throughout and the depth of the audio is incredible!  There are only a couple of minor statics on the intro and then the swirling tape loops are 'as new' with no interference.  Turn it up to loud the sonic quality is amazing!  A Mint- start for sure.

The Grandfather clock intro on 'Electric Ladyland' has no background and the opening vocal is just as clean.  It continues in the same precise way and even the fade out plays perfectly with not one dust tick.  This is Mint no need for a minus here.

'Cross Town Traffic' then plays with exceptional clarity and power with zero intrusion.  In essence it plays 'as new' with a sonic quality that is second to none.  Already it is obvious this classic album has hardly been played.  Mint

The segue into the classic 'Voodoo Chile' is faultless and the entire intro is just out of this world!  Once again I just have to mention the depth of the audio, you would not believe how strong and deep the sound is.  Hendrix's opening vocal is STUNNING and the first high octane section has no background either.  It continues to play with impeccable quality and the next instrumental section featuring Stevie Winwood of course could not play any better.  The clarity of sound and the sheer power of the audio is breath-taking and there is no distortion on the top end.  The following vocal has no background and remember this section is relatively quiet.  Yes Hendrix's work is legendary but Mitchell's work during the next instrumental is superb and again there are no ticks, clicks, pops or static.  The quieter 'audience' section on 11 minutes has no background and Hendrix's next vocal is just as impressive.  His next solo is phenomenal and as it builds to a crescendo you cannot fault it - the power and definition is... well I'm running out of superlatives already!  If there is any inner groove distortion I didn't notice it and then the closing audience section again impresses without any background.  This may well be the most 'complete' version of this classic that I have ever listened to, the definitive version you could say, and Mint- is 100% deserved although in all honesty I do not think the minus is necessary.  Just playing it safe but wow what a version!

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The intro on 'Little Miss Strange' is 'as new' and Redding's opening vocal is just as good.  From then on it plays as per S1 with a clarity and depth that cannot be faulted.  Every vocal and instrumental play so clearly and only the 'jangly' guitar sequence towards the end is perhaps not quite as clear as the rest of the track.  That is being super picky though and does not really warrant a mention as it always plays like that.  Still no interference!  Mint-

'Long Hot Summer Night' plays with very impressive audio and only 3/4 barely audible dust ticks on the first vocal.  As any Hendrix aficionado will know this track always plays with a 'muddy' sound quality which no doubt is due to how it was recorded / produced but this is definitely one of the cleanest versions I have ever heard.  There is no intrusion on the audio and Mint- is deserved.

'Come On' plays with stunning precision - no sign of any interference, just pure unadulterated Mint audio at its very best.  The mid solo section can only be described 'as new' and the entire track is just a masterclass in 60s vinyl perfection!

The percussive intro on 'Gipsy Eyes' plays perfectly and the first vocal is equally as strong.  It keeps to this high end standard with great power and clarity which is a rarity as it so often plays with a fair amount of distortion.  However, because this vinyl has hardly been played (if at all!) the playback is superb.  Another Mint- track.

The classic wah wah intro on 'Burning Of The Midnight Lamp' is STUNNING and this quality is pretty much maintained to the very end.  If I was being super harsh you could say there is a little inner groove distortion on the second half but you cannot escape it due to the reasons I have already stated and as a result I do not think it should be downgraded.  probably 'shooting myself in the foot' by even saying it but hey I am always 100% honest with my gradings!  It still plays with exceptional clarity and power but I will grade as Near Mint.  Silly me.

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The bluesy intro on 'Rainy Day, Dream Away' plays so clearly with only a couple of mega quiet static ticks at the start.  Every note and sniff is perfect!  There is no underlying static and this clarity of sound continues into the first vocal and beyond.  It also plays with great depth and warmth and interference wise - nothing to report.  The vocal / fade out section is a case in point - so quiet and yet not even a dust tick.  I will say Mint- but again is the minus essential?

The intro on '1983 (A Merman I Should Turn To Be)' is phenomenal and the clarity and depth here is just out of this world.  The first vocal has no background and it continues in the same exact way.  The opening 4 minutes could not play any better and I have not even heard one solitary dust tick let alone anything more.  I mean this is how you want this classic to sound and the psychedelic section is STUNNING!  Starting with Mitchell's percussion every note is just so clean and precise and then the following very quiet section is... extremely quiet!  Again not one dust tick the audio is Mint in every sense of the word.  The high end standard does not drop and I honestly cannot believe what I am hearing!  First and foremost I am a fan and I know I can get a little verbose in my descriptions sometimes but with audio such as this I can be forgiven!  As it builds the playback is so rich and deep and Redding's bass section around the 9.30 mark is 'as new' also.  As Hendrix builds out of this section the playback is so powerful and there is no distortion on the top end and his next vocal has no background either.  The guitar sequence that ends this all time classic is sublime and t follows is close to perfect with just one light click but there is no inner groove distortion whatsoever and I have no hesitation in grading the entire 13.25 minutes as Mint such is the quality of the audio.  It has to be the most 'complete' version I have ever had the pleasure in listening to.  WOW!!

'Moon, Turn The Tides...' ends the side with unbelievable clarity... again.  So quiet and so good!  A couple of barely audible dust ticks right at the end but Mint is well deserved.

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'Still Raining Still Dreaming' starts off a little too quietly which I have noticed before and I am sure that is down to the production / recording process.  Hendrix's first vocal has no intrusion and around the 0.45 mark as Redding's bass really comes to the fore the playback is very strong and deep and loud!  It continues in much the same way and whilst the clarity is not quite on the same level it still plays really well and with great depth and power.  A slight distorted sound perhaps but this seems to be a common theme with Side D as I am sure many of you know, it is well documented.  I still think Near Mint is correct as it wouldn't be fair to downgrade it too much.

'House Burning Down' plays in a similar way but is still so much better than other versions I have heard.  I defy any seller to say these two opening tracks play as Mint because they just never do!  Who knows the exact reason but again I don't think downgrading it too much is fair as it's not due to overplay or wear on the vinyl.  Let's say Ex+

The classic 'All Along The Watchtower' plays with sublime power and depth and... no interference.  No issues with the audio here and the clarity of sound is very impressive albeit not quite as perfect as on some other tracks.  Don't get me wrong it still plays with superb audio!  Near Mint

The intro on 'Voodoo Chile (Slight Return)' is superb!  The sonic quality is comparable to the other three sides and the first high octane section plays with great power and hardly any inner groove distortion.  The opening vocal has no interference and from then on it plays so well and you cannot fault the power and definition of the audio.  A couple of brief sections where the audio is perhaps not quite as clear as it should be but it doesn't take away from what is a superb listen and you can certainly turn it up max without having to turn it down it immediately!  It still sounds great - such a dynamic closing number and Near Mint is an honest appraisal of the audio.

In summary this very collectable album plays with incredible audio - the clarity, depth, power and resonance of the audio is quite simply on another level compared to so many other pressings / reissues and only Side D has a couple of 'sound' issues that as I say are well known.  Having sold a number of this classic album down the years I have yet to find a Mint / Mint- one across all four sides, on the Track Record pressings anyway.  In saying that this particular Side D probably plays better than any other I have heard in recent years!  There are of course so many classics on this album but in my opinion the two at the top of the tree are 'Voodoo Chile' and '1983 (A Merman I Should Turn To Be)' and wow do they play well!  I have graded them as Mint and Mint- respectively but as I said the minus is only cautionary!  They are both STUNNING and the clarity, depth, warmth and power of the audio is up there with the best I have ever heard.  As stated the vinyl are visually stunning, they look like they haven't been played, and in conjunction with a lovely cover this will add to any high end collection.

The Gatefold & Inner Sleeves

The laminated E.J. Day cover is in superb condition with only very minimal shelf wear.  The top edges are perfect and the bottom edges have just a little wear next to the corners.  The wide spine is excellent with hardly any of the compression that you often find and just has a crease line running down the centre which is common but there is no laminate damage.  There is some rubbing / wear on the bottom corner which isn't excessive and the top corner is close to perfect.  The top two right hand corners are super clean also and there is just a little wear bottom right as stated.  The opening edges are very clean with only very minimal handling wear.  The front cover is in lovely condition with no creasing (how rare is that!) and the back cover is the same with only minimal ringwear and the wear on the bottom corners.  The inside of the gatefold is superb and has that familiar crackle as you open it although the inner spine is still in great condition with very little laminate wear.  This is a fine example of this iconic and infamous cover.

The original poly-lined 'Plastic Bags...' inner sleeves are in great condition with no side splits, tears or marking and only a little creasing.

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

The records have been cleaned on a Pro-Ject VC-S machine

Side A / 6130 #### (17 etched above) A // 1   1 6 9 0 1   8

Side B / 613009 A ▽ 2   420   1 1   1 2

Side C / 613009 B // 2   420   1 1  1 2

Side D / 613008 B ▽ 2   420   1 2 9

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

I NOW ONLY SEND ITEMS WORLDWIDE VIA TRACKED SHIPPING. THIS PROVIDES 'PEACE OF MIND' IN CASE OF LOSS OR DAMAGE. ALL COSTS ARE SHOWN BELOW AND COMBINED POSTAGE IS ALWAYS OFFERED. ANY OVER-PAYMENT WILL ALWAYS BE REFUNDED BACK TO THE BUYER.

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