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Warhorse : Red Sea 1Y1 / 2Y1 1st Press Vertigo 1972

This genuine first press plays with stunning quality and with very little interference.  In fact the only real intrusion is some light clicks at the end of the 'Feeling Better' fade out on S1 and because of that I have downgraded it to Ex+ which does seem a little harsh!  Otherwise the clarity, depth and power of the audio across both sides is so impressive with that typical deep, rich Vertigo sound.

The only obvious wear on the gatefold is the sticker removal mark on the front.  Aside from that it is in excellent shape with only minimal wear.  The original Vertigo is not here unfortunately - this Plastic Bags... one remains in excellent condition with not too much wear.

6360066  1Y*1  420  1 1  2   ---   6360066  2Y*1  420  1 1  2

The audio on S1 mainly ranges between Near Mint & Mint- (T4 Ex+ due light clicks on the fade out)

The audio S2 is Mint(-) (T3 Near Mint-)

The gatefold is VG+

The inner sleeve is Ex-

The Vertigo labels are Ex+

The vinyl is in excellent condition and still has a strong glossy look with no marks or scratches.  I can see some faint hairlines under a bright light but there is nothing that stands out as such.  There is no groove or surface wear and the run out grooves are very clean also.  The Vertigo labels have no marking other than some spindle wear around the central spindle hole.

Play grading

The intro 'Red Sea' is perfect and Holt's opening vocal is equal to that.  What I love about any clean Vertigo pressing is not only the deep, rich audio but also how you can so clearly hear every note.  The 'separation' is superb and it continues in the same precise way.  The production is stunning it has to be said.  I heard a small number of very quiet statics during the quieter mid vocal and a couple at the beginning of the instrumental but they are not intrusive in any way.  The remainder plays without fault so I will say the vast majority grades as Mint and that one brief section as Near Mint

'Back In Time' has one tick at the start but of the intro but otherwise plays to perfection.  The first vocal has no background and continues to play with immense quality.  The first high octane section is stunning, there is no distortion, and the following work from Parks is on the same level.  The quieter passage has just a minor touch of very light static for 2/3 seconds but it's hardly worth a mention really.  A couple of mega light statics towards the end of this section also and then the high powered closing section plays with phenomenal quality, again there is no distortion.  A couple of light statics on the fade out - this grades as ranging between Near Mint and Mint but a lot more of the latter!

The intro on 'Confident But Wrong' has just one tick and the 'raw' opening vocal is superb.  It continues to play so clearly for such a powerful track and the first quiet instrumental is more or less perfect with only a couple of barely audible statics.  Parks' following solo is stunning and if there is any distortion it is barely noticeable.  The closing section is very similar and overall Near Mint is fair.

The quiet piano intro on 'Feeling Better' begins perfectly and then has a little static 10 or so seconds in.  The opening vocal has just one minor tick and as Poole and Simper come in the audio is superb.  From then onwards the sound quality is very impressive for a final track i.e. there is barely any distortion.  The next quiet section plays with wonderful clarity and as it builds the playback is strong and deep with zero interference.  The end vocal is the same and overall I will grade it as Ex+ because there are some light clicks at the end of the fade out although it does seem a tad critical to downgrade it for that reason!

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The entire intro on 'Sybilla' plays superbly without any background and the opening vocal is just as strong and clear.  It continues to play with exceptional quality with no ticks, clicks or pops and there is no underlying static either other than a couple of seconds at the end of the fade out which you barely notice anyway.  The echo affect on Holt's vocal comes across so clearly throughout and this track easily deserves a Mint- grade.

The quiet intro on 'Mouthpiece' plays with sublime clarity and the percussive section is flawless.  The brief pause is 100% silent and the next section could not play any better either.  From then on this classic instrumental plays with such quality and put simply there is no intrusion on the audio.  Poole is the star of the show here and sonically the drum sound is spectacular!  The depth and resonance on each beat is incredible and even as the volume decreases towards the end there is not so much as a dust tick.  The powerful end section is 'as new' also and I am confident in grading this as Mint the playback is absolutely STUNNING!

The countdown and then intro on 'I (Who Have Nothing)' play with impeccable quality and the opening vocal is stunning!  Uriah Heep-ish you could say.  The instrumental bridge is just as strong and the next vocal has just one tick at the beginning.  The mid instrumental with Parks in charge has no intrusion and the remainder plays with great clarity and definition.  Holt in fine form of course displaying all of his talents and it seems like this song was just written for him!  Yes there is a little inner groove distortion towards the end but it is minimal and still plays superbly.  A Near Mint- conclusion to a fine album.

The Gatefold & Vertigo Inner

The cover would be excellent but for one sticker removal mark on the front cover which can clearly be seen.  It kind of blends in with the background which is perhaps being a little charitable!  The edges have some rubbing but nothing extensive and the wide spine has only light wear - a few minor rubs and an indent in the top half.  Overall all corners are in excellent order with only minimal wear and the opening edge is extremely clean with very little wear.  The front cover has just that one 'mark' as stated and the back cover is in lovely condition with just a little surface rub / ringwear near the bottom edge.  The inside of the gatefold has very little marking and remains very clean.  Not perfect but a very respectable example nonetheless.

The poly-lined Plastic Bags... inner has minimal marking and no side splits.  A couple of minor 'nicks' on the central aperture, some light creasing and a little glue related marking along the top edges.

Play tested on my Rega P2 with AT-VM95EN Cart / Denon PMA-520AE Amp / B&W 684 Speakers

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

6360066  1Y*1  420  1 1  2   ---   6360066  2Y*1  420  1 1  2

I grade according to "Record Collector" guidelines.

Any questions please feel free to ask

Please pay within 4 days of auction end

Recent Feedback

Postage & Packaging

I will only send items items worldwide via tracked shipping.  This provides 'peace of mind' in case of loss or damage.  The shipping costs are shown below and combined shipping is always offered.  Any over-payment will always be refunded.

The Royal Mail only insure up to a value of £250 so if an item sells for more it may be wise to use a courier service (e.g. Parcelforce or DPD).  An extra insurance premium will be required but I will not know the exact amount until the final sale price is known.  Because of this I will sometimes have to estimate the cost and this will be shown in the listing.  Please wait for the invoice before making payment and if you have any questions please feel free to ask.  Many thanks.

All vinyls are packaged in strong over-sized custom made mailers with plenty of extra cardboard protection.  They are placed inside separate poly-lined inners outside the cover so as to avoid seam splits in transit and then placed inside a PVC sleeve to provide even more protection.  I pride myself on my high quality packaging as my feed confirms and if any customer has any specific requirements I am more than happy to help.

The mailers I use cost £1.00 each and I will use anything between 3-5 cardboard stiffeners which cost approx £0.18 each.  There is also the cost of the poly-lined inner and PVC sleeve to consider, it all adds up!  Not forgetting that eBay take 10% of the shipping fee also!!

UK Postage Rates (First Class Recorded - Max 2kg)

LPs/12" singles : £6.50 up to 1kg then £1.00 per extra item 

EUROPE (Tracked - Max 2kg)

LPs/12" singles : £13.95 then £2.00 per extra

USA (Tracked - Max 2kg)

LPs/12" singles : £20.95 then £2.50 per extra 

REST OF WORLD (Tracked - Max 2kg)  

LPs/12" singles : £19.95 then £2.50 per extra

If you are not entirely happy with your purchase please contact me before leaving feedback and I will always resolve any issue, 100% guaranteed.  If you would prefer to send the item back I will also pay the return shipping cost if I am at fault, I am only human after all!!