TRAFFIC THE LOW SPARK 1st UK PRESS MiNt AuDiO/ViNyL ARCHIVE COPY JAZZ BLUES ROCK

	£		92
	$		122

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Traffic "A Low Spark For High Heeled Boys"

Original 1st UK Pressing Cat No."ILPS 8180"

Island Records Labels (1st issue) 1971

Earliest -A-2U -B-1U Matrix Endings!

Look! Earliest "1"to "1" Mother Stampers Both Sides! (Earliest for theBest Audio On Vinyl)

NEAR MINT ARCHIVE COPY Never need to upgrade!

Barely played no more than two or three times ever! Looks unplayed in my opinion!

Stunning Near Mint Audio Through out!

Free UK postage sent by Next Day Express Special Delivery.

Shipping to Europe,Russia etc. £15.76 Sent by international signed for delivery.

Shippingto Canada,USA,Japan,Australia £18.76 Sent by International Signed for delivery.

Another from my personal collection of over 50,000 UK albums that I have accumulated over a period of more than 45 years! Here is the original 1st UK pressing of Traffic "A Low Spark For High Heeled Boys" 1971 in incredible condition for a 45 year old album! The original 1st issue fully laminated die cut cover, visually is stunning opinion and has not suffered the usual nasty storage wear due to the fact that I have kept this album stored in a case with the cover separated from the vinyl for protection. This is how I have always stored my records. I have owned this album from new and initially would have only played this to record to tape and then stored it away! When I visually look at the vinyl I find it hard to see that it has ever been played, the vinyl playing surface is absolutely stunning, even the labels show no real spider trails that I can see. This is complete with the original custom cut fully laminated Island Record sleeve with no splits or tares in stunning condition, very minor rubbing only. The audio is truly exceptional through out and plays beautifully throughout,      I would grade the audio at least excellent plus to near as mint Stunning 1st UK pressed album, must be one of the hardest to find great audio with the many quiet passages throughout this album!

Don't take my word for it listen to the actual recording of this album in the player below. You will be hard pushed to find a more vibrant original copy and one that has obviously barely been played a handful of times ever!

 The Low Spark of High Heeled Boys is the fifth studio album by English rock band Traffic, released in 1971.

As with other Traffic albums, The Low Spark of High Heeled Boys featured different forms and offshoots of rock including jazz rock, progressive rock, as well as classic rock and roll. The name of the album's title track was suggested by the actor Michael J. Pollard.

The album features the hit "Rock & Roll Stew" and the FM hit, "The Low Spark of High Heeled Boys." This is the only original Traffic album to feature two lead vocals by Jim Capaldi ("Light Up Or Leave Me Alone" and "Rock & Roll Stew").

His only other unaccompanied vocal on a Traffic studio album was "Dealer" from Mr. Fantasy.

The LP is also notable for its die-cut cover.

Critical retrospectives on the album are generally positive. Allmusic was overwhelmingly approving in its assessment, praising the variety brought by the non-Winwood/Capaldi compositions and the power of the lengthy title track, and claiming the album "marked the commercial and artistic apex of the second coming of Traffic".

 In addition, Robert Christgau commented on the band's growth from previous efforts, stating that while the group is "devoid of intellectual thrust," they're "onto something," and "when it works, it suggests a nice paradox—relaxed and exciting at the same time."

Pop Matters offered yet another viewpoint, calling it "an album that's easy to listen to over and over, but one that seldom shows up on 'best of' lists." It commented that most of the songs are highly understated and require multiple listens to appreciate

Side 1
"Hidden Treasure" (Steve Winwood, Jim Capaldi) – 4:16
"The Low Spark of High-Heeled Boys" (Steve Winwood, Jim Capaldi) – 11:35
"Light Up or Leave Me Alone" (Jim Capaldi) – 4:55

Side 2
"Rock & Roll Stew" (Ric Grech, Jim Gordon) – 4:29
"Many a Mile to Freedom" (Steve Winwood, Anna Capaldi[4]) – 7:26
"Rainmaker" (Steve Winwood, Jim Capaldi) – 7:39

The Matrix

side 1 ''ILPS 8180 A-2U''

side 2 ''ILPS 8180 B-1U''

The Mother Stampers

Side 1 ''1'' ''O'' (Look! Earliest "1"to "1" Mother stampers)

Side 2 ''1'' ''P'' (Look! Earliest "1"to "1" Mother stampers)

The Vinyl.

The vinyl lays perfectly flat on the turntable. (note: I have double checked this, it is free of any warping) To start with on initial inspection the playing surface looks stunning, in my personal opinion.  I can't see any real surface marks or indeed any marks that would cause any nasty loud contant clicks or pops and visually still retains its original sheen from new! Any marks that could possibly be seen when scrutinized would be light whyspy sleeve removal type marks only (at least nothing that would cause any loud clicks or pops but just perhapes the odd isolated light background static or minor isolated static type tick only)  I have stored this vinyl seperately from the cover in a case for the best part of 40 years! This vinyl lays perfectly flat on the turn table. Looks and sounds barely ever played at all in my opinion!

Please note! This has been stored in a case laying dormant for at least 40 years or more! A build up of dirt and dust over the years in the grooves causes static crackle\ticks! A constant clean before each play is recommended!,,, This will reduce any static and enhance the audio quality! Please note that debrit was seen on the playing surface after play indicating that this will need a few cleans.

The audio Quality

I have played this vinyl through track for track at very loud volume on a top system! The audio is cristal clear and vibrant through out with no signs that this has been over played what so ever! Absolutely awesome top top audio through out!  Points to note! It is easy to be critical about these early seventies pressings, especially I have noticed that Chrysalis/island vinyls are very soft in comparison to other vinyls and this album in particular has many quiet places so only good quality vinyl sounds good! Please allow for the odd isolated light static/tick/pop  perhaps heard in quieter place only (Certainly nothing consistent throughout the audio! Note: Even in between tracks this was exceptionally quiet in my opinion.  Please note Importantly, there is (no) loud nasty constant clicks or pops and certainly (no) skips or jumps  Audio grades at least better than excellent plus to near mint in my opinion!

Audio graded at least excellent plus to Near as Mint

Listen to the complete album in the player above (Actual recording from the vinyl)

Please note! I always add this disclaimer! Please allow for the odd isolated light static /isolated pop  that may be heard only in isolated quiet parts only (not) consistant throughout the audio! Please remember that this is a genuine 45 year old vinyl that would have originally been played on a 45 year old system! In my personal opinion you will find this audio hard to surpass!

The labels

The original 1st issue Island (pink rim) labels are awesome! Amazingly, I find it hard to see any spider marks at all even when angled to the light! This has only ever been played a handful of times ever. Unbeleivable for 45 years old! Try to find better! There is little if no spindle wear the hole is perfectly round!

The Record Sleeve

This is the original custom Island record sleeve with light creasing with age only (no) splits or tares! There is a small numbered sticker on one side see photos. I have not attempted to remove this.

The cover

This is the original 1st uk press, 1st UK issued Fully laminated custom die cut cover!  Mega rare and very hard to keep and find in this awesome super glossy condition! This is super glossy in appearance ,  Amaizingly with this very fragile cover there is no real nasty creases to mention very minor lines at the spine end and not really noticed unless looked for in my opinion! Any impressions or indents, you only really notice if looked for angled to the light. Very light rubbing noticed only if looked for, Light laminate rubbing wear only noticed angled in the light. 

Absolutely Stunning 1st Issue 1st UK pressed Cover graded at Excellent plus in my opinion !

Mega rare final upgrade audio copy. Barely played earliest 1st uk press!

An Archive Copy!

HOW I SEND MY RECORDS!

THIS ALBUM WILL BE SENT IN A LARGE BOX WITH CARDBOARD STIFFENERS THE ALBUM IS ALWAYS PUT IS A POLY SLEEVE AND ENCASED IN THE BOX WITH PLENTY OF BUBBLE WRAP FOR ADDED PROTECTION (SEE PHOTOS)

As always I have tried to give my honest personal opinion when describing items listed! Although it is my honest opinion! I always urge others to do their own personal research on any items that they are interested in purchasing, before, they commit to bidding!) I have Highlighted all aspects as clearly as possible! I have taken time to play this vinyl track for track to give a clear and accurate description of the audio quality. (please look at my completed listings of albums that I have sold of this calaber (more than 800 items) and you will see that I normally get it right) I have also provided as many photos as I can and supersized so that all aspects can be seen clearly in strong light! Please note! These photos are the actual item for sale and not copies of other items!

Please do not hesitate to email me with any questions regarding this item or any other items that I have listed!

I HAVE 100% POSITIVE FEEDBACK SO PLEASE BID WITH TOTAL CONFIDANCE!

SHIPPING TO THE USA IS 18.76GBP INCLUDES INTERNATIONAL SIGNED FOR DELIVERY WITH INSURANCE AND TRACKING

SHIPPING TO EUROPE IS 15.76GBP INCLUDES INTERNATIONAL SIGNED FOR DELIVERY WITH INSURANCE AND TRACKING

POSTAGE WITHIN ENGLAND IS FREE SENT BY RECORDED DELIVERY

Please note! All items are now despatched by signed for 1st class delivery! I normally despatch within the next working day on receipt of cleared funds (not on Weekends)

All items are despatched securely with ample reinforcement (It is my prime interest to make sure that the items arrive in the same condition that they left me!

I offer a postage discount for multiple purchases!,, but i do insist that the buyer pay for the items as they are won! I can not any longer allow winning bidders to run up a large bill and then not pay! I do not have a problem with holding the goods to be despatched untill they are ready (at the buyers request), for multiple items purchased!

MY NEW POLICY! Because of the unfortunate recent problems that I have had with non payments, Any new ebayers with low, poor or no real history,  Please contact me before bidding! These bids will be cancelled and the bidder will be blocked from further attempts to bid on my items.

PLEASE LOOK AT MY OTHER RARE 1ST UK PRESSINGS LISTED NOW! (click the link bellow)

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