THE ZOMBIES ODESSY AND ORACLE A2/B2 1st PRESS 1968 EX Cover & SUPERB AUDIO WOW
£
592
$
785
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Description
I will declare a lower amount on the customs form for all countries so as to avoid/decrease high import charges. However, in the case of the EU all purchases are subject to VAT which eBay collect at point of sale. No shipping to Russia currently.
The Zombies : Odessy And Oracle A-2 / B-2 1st Press 1968
This classic album of course needs no introduction but suffice to say it remains one of the most collectable first pressings from the 60s era. I am delighted to say it plays with stunning quality on both sides with barely any interference, just a couple of light clicks, a handful of even lighter ticks and only minimal inner groove distortion towards the end of S1. I cannot overstate just how clear and precise the audio is, the clarity and definition is amazing! The depth and warmth of the audio is so impressive and it has retained its original sonic quality in every sense. Criminally underrated at the time you can see why this LP is so collectable today and especially one as stunning as this! The audio is phenomenal!
The laminated cover is in excellent condition with only minimal wear although I will say inner sleeve has seen better days.
This first pressing has the A2/B2 matrix and has the gold STEREO label on the back cover.
S 63280 // SBPG 63280 A2 / B2
The audio on S1 is Mint(-) (T3 Near Mint / T5 & T6 Ex+)
The audio on S2 is Mint(-) (T4 intro Ex)
The cover is Ex
The labels are Ex+
The inner sleeve is VG-
Visual description
This record is 55 years old in a couple of months and visually it is very impressive with no scratches and only a couple of very small faint blemishes that have no affect on the audio. It still has a very strong glossy sheen and only under a bright light can you see some faint hairlines. There are a couple that are a little more obvious but again they have no impact on the stunning sound quality. The orange CBS labels are very clean but do have some spindle wear but certainly not an excessive amount.
Play grading
The intro on 'Care Of Cell 44' plays perfectly and the opening vocal section from Blunstone is just as clear, the clarity so far is absolutely stunning! It continues in the same precise way and even the brief higher octane vocal passages are 'as new' with no distortion on the top end. From start to finish I heard only a couple of very light dust ticks and provides a sensational introduction to this classic album. I will grade as Mint- although I am not entirely sure the minus is required!
With complete silence in the dead wax 'A Rose For Emily' plays beautifully with no intrusion. I cannot emphasise enough just how pristine the audio is, the clarity is just phenomenal! There are no ticks, clicks or pops and no background static either. Renown for the harmonising the vocals here are crystal clear - honestly the sonic quality is as good as it was back in '68 and probably better with my stereo set up! Even the piano fade out has no 'background'. A breath-taking Mint version I am confident in saying.
'Maybe After He's Gone' also plays with sublime quality on the intro and only the first chorus has a very minimal amount of distortion which is not intrusive in any way. It proceeds in much the same way - very clear audio with no interference and only minor distortion on the top end. Distortion is perhaps too strong a word for it as it does play very clearly and Near Mint is still very much deserved.
'Beechwood Park' plays with STUNNING clarity and warmth and the depth of the audio especially stands out here. A very strong and clear bass sound and again there is literally no intrusion on the audio. Another classic and another Mint track.
The piano intro on 'Brief Candles' is faultless and the first verse just has one light click - the first 'intrusion' on the album! No background static though. From then on it plays with wonderful quality and if there is any distortion during the chorus sections it is so minimal and totally non-intrusive, hardly worth a mention. Once more the audio is so deep and strong and the quieter sections play with great clarity and only the piano fade out has a couple of clicks. I think Ex+ is about right here although the majority is of course stronger than that.
The intro and opening two verse on 'Hung Up On A Dream' play perfectly and the first instrumental and chorus have only very minimal inner groove distortion. I only mention that to be 100% 'complete' with my grading and it still plays exceptionally well. You expect a little inner groove distortion as you approach the end of the side and maybe should not be downgraded as a result. It continues to play with real quality and there are no ticks, clicks or pops. The vocals are very clear and the end instrumental is again so impressive. This has to grade as Ex+ at the very least. A superb finish to the side regardless and wow what a side!
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The intro on 'Changes' plays very clearly with only a couple of mega light ticks and then the opening vocal section is 'as new' with no interference. This standard is maintained throughout and again the clarity is exceptional! This melodic track plays with STUNNING precision, can't quite believe how well it plays if I'm honest! The quiet end section also plays with great clarity and Mint- is well deserved.
'I Want Her She Wants Me' plays to the same high end standard with...no intrusion. Probably the 'popiest' track on the album there is not one single negative. Actually no minus is necessary as there is just no 'background' of any kind. Mint
'This Will Be Our Year' again demonstrates in so many ways just how well this record has been cared for and plays with a sonic quality that cannot be faulted. A couple of barely audible ticks on the intro and great depth and resonance throughout and of course...no interference. Mint
The intro on 'Butchers Tale (Western Front 1914' has only a small number of light ticks and then plays with remarkable audio from that point on. Very much with a 60s psychedelia 'feel' this is a fantastic version. A 'busy' track and yet the original sonic quality is still there, each note is just so sharp and precise. The intro is Ex but the rest is Mint for sure.
'Friends Of Mine' keeps up this standard and plays with tremendous depth and power from start to finish. A busy track vocally you cannot fault the clarity either and again Mint is the only grade I can give.
The intro on 'Time Of The Season' can be described 'as new' and the opening vocal is just as good. As it progresses I am just blown away by the sheer quality of the music. The final track on the album and yet the 'closer' grooves do not mean the sonic quality is affected here, the playback is phenomenal! The vocals are so strong and the depth of the audio if anything is even more impressive. Perhaps just a hint of inner groove distortion on the mellotron ending but not so that it gets in the way of the audio. A STUNNING version in every way and has to grade as Mint- at the very least. Wow!!
In summary this very collectable first pressing plays to a standard that is rarely found today. Pressed in only limited numbers there cannot be many around now that are as STUNNING as this one. There is barely any intrusion on the audio, a couple of light clicks and a minimal amount of inner groove distortion on S1 and a handful of light ticks on one intro on S2 the playback could hardly be any stronger. This vinyl can only have been played on high end equipment as you can tell it has been played a number of times and yet sonically it has no suffered at all. Two things you really want - clarity and depth - this record has both in abundance! I think I have only sold a couple of these before but never one as good as this! We all know how rare and collectable this album is and together with a very impressive cover this will add to any high end collection. A stunning album in every way.
The Cover & Inner Sleeve
The laminated E.J. Day cover is in excellent condition with only a little shelf wear. The edges are super clean with no marking/rubbing and the corners have only a minimal amount of wear, just a little more bottom right. The thin spine is in great shape overall although the laminate has just lifted slightly on the word Odessy but it is certainly in no danger of coming off. The opening edge is also in lovely condition with no obvious handling wear. The front cover is very clean overall and has only some light laminate creasing here and there, mainly top left and bottom right but you have to hold the cover at a certain angle in order to see it clearly. There are also a couple of small scratch type lines bottom right. The non-laminated back cover is unmarked, it really is so clean, and has barely any creasing. As can be seen it has the original gold STEREO sticker near the tope edge. A very respectable example of this first press cover.
The original CBS inner sleeve has seen better days. It has a split either side, a small split on the bottom edge and a small tear on the top edge. A little creasing also but only minimal fading / marking around the edges. At least it is included!
Play tested on my Rega P2 Turntable / Denon PMA-520AE Amp / B&W 684 Speakers
This record has been professionally cleaned on a Pro-Ject VC-S machine
S 63280 // SBPG 63280 A2 / B2
I grade according to "Record Collector" guidelines.
Any questions please feel free to ask
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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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ALL VINYLS ARE PACKAGED IN STRONG CUSTOM MADE OVER-SIZED MAILERS WITH EXTRA CARDBOARD PROTECTION. THEY ARE PUT IN SEPARATE POLY-LINED INNERS OUTSIDE OF THE COVER SO AS TO AVOID SEAM SPLITS. THEY ARE ALSO PLACED INSIDE A PVC SLEEVE TO PROVIDE EXTRA PROTECTION. I PRIDE MYSELF ON MY HIGH QUALITY PACKAGING AS MY FEEDBACK TESTIFIES AND IF ANY CUSTOMER HAS ANY SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS I WILL ALWAYS ENDEAVOUR TO HELP.
I ONLY USE HIGH QUALITY MAILERS AND THESE COST ME £1.00 EACH. I WILL OFTEN USE 3 OR 4 CARDBOARD STIFFENERS AND THESE COST AT LEAST £0.15 EACH AND THEN THERE IS THE COST OF THE POLY-LINED INNER AND PVC SLEEVE TO TAKE INTO ACCOUNT. IT ALL ADDS UP! NOT FORGETTING EBAY TAKING 10% OF THE SHIPPING FEE ALSO!!
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