AFFINITY - VERY RARE ORIG UK 1970 VERTIGO SPIRAL EX+ LP with SUPERB SOUND.

	£		341
	$		452

ONEADAYRECORDS – Simply Delivering Quality Music to the World in Quality, Safe Packing.

Postage: UK £4.75 (£1 per extra record). Europe (including Russia) £12.50 (£2 per extra record). Rest of World (including ALL parts of the USA) £16.50 (£3 per extra record). All boxes signed for in quality, safe packaging – I NEVER use mailing envelopes that offer virtually no protection at all – in fact I think these things should be banned as records WILL arrived damaged in them at some time. More details on my packing nearer the end of the listing.

Posting to Russia: Yes, I do post to Russia. But delivery can take up to 4 to 6 weeks from the UK. So please be patient. I will submit a tracking number to the winning bidder, and when the packet arrives there it can be followed online using the Russian post website.

ALSO: I now apply the Ebay ‘4-day’ rule for non-payment to keep things moving – cash-flow is important to any small business. I will always keep my P&P prices as low as possible, and even after yet another Royal Mail price hike from April this year, I have NOT raised my prices and will never compromise on solid, safe packing that is invariably heavier than most you will get. My P&P offers probably the best value-for-money for vinyl records available, and I even will pay for full insurance on any record that sells for over £100 at NO extra cost – that is UK and abroad. Also I aim to post the very same day after payment is received. You WILL see the difference when my packet arrives.

Album Title: Affinity.

Producer(s): John Anthony.

A Special Note About This Album: Within the whole Vertigo Spiral catalogue, there are few more desirable or wanted titles than ‘Affinity’. It may not be the very rarest in the Spiral set but it’s certainly fast getting up there amongst the ultra rare ones. And this is one of the GREAT Spiral titles – and there lies the difference – yes there are some rarer titles to be found with the prized and collectable swirl logos but few of those are in the class of Affinity. Fronted by the legendary voice of Linda Hoyle, this is the lady at her very best when singing full-on blues, jazz tinged ‘prog’ rock that includes one of the truly great Spiral tracks in the long cover version of Bob Dylan’s ‘All Along the Watchtower’ (also made more famous still by The Jimi Hendrix Experience on Electric Ladyland). Affinity is one of the pivitol linchpins of any Spiral collection – owning them all is beyond most these days with simply so few of the super-rare ones available as they simply did not sell in any great numbers. This was hardly a major seller either but compared to the obscure ones like ‘Ben’, Gordon Waller and ‘Dr Z’ etc, this one does at least (very occasionally) show up and the music in a quite different league. But, and a major but, this will rarely be found lightly played and offering nigh-on perfect sound throughout – this is a sensational record and my play-grade revealed top quality, near flawless sound. To hear this complex album, instrumentally and vocally play to nigh-on perfection was a revelation. Just to find an ‘average’ copy of this record is an achievement but to find an example that offers this quality sound is beyond difficult – I also remind I play ALL my records on a highly revealing Linn Sondek LP12, still one of the world’s most clinical, revealing and musical turntables. A very special record indeed that includes one of the most beautiful ever Spiral covers ever – beautiful, but delicate. This one has aged a little with a few small flaws, but still a nice looker overall. For me, the record always takes preference, and this one will take some beating. Although Linda Hoyle’s solo Spiral album is even harder to find, it (for me anyway) is nothing like as good as Affinity where she sings material more suited to her voice. With magnificent vocals, it is just a shame a long career in music was not for her – she did sing with Nucleus later, but she is always best known for her two Swirl albums – this one in particular. This genuinely rare progressive classic is testament to her incredible, but sadly under-used talent and for those seeking this album to fill a major gap in their Spiral collection, a much better copy of the record especially will be very difficult to find. Affinity has now reached legendary status, and one of the truely great, classic one-off albums ever made.

Track Listing:

Side 1: I Am and So Are you; Night Flight; I Wonder if I Care As Much; Mr Joy.

Side 2: Three Sisters; Cocoanut Grove; All Along the Watchtower.

Label/Format: Vertigo – Original full spiral on side one and large spiral logo above the hole on side two. These have matt, smooth surfaces (Please see my label pictures).

Label Conditions: Both very clean, fresh and highly attractive with only light, fine and faint spindle marks and no wear around the hole area. These only really seen with close scrutiny under bright angled light, this copy has not been played many times and offers superb, near flawless sound. The main spiral logo on side one is in superb condition with no mottling or speckle that often affected this famous logo and the design is as perfect as they ever get from rim to hole edge. Side two’s label is breathtakingly fresh and still incredibly white, totally lacking the grubbiness and handling marks that ruins so many on this most collectable, famous label.

Cat Number: 6360 004

Mode / Speed: Stereo / 33.3 rpm.

Warps: Assume all records I offer have no warping of any significance and all tracking is easy and effortless and should play on all turntables and even ‘budget’ decks.

Weight of this Record: 130 grams. A very good solid weight for Vertigos.

Country of Manufacture: England.

Rarity: Rare: and now one of the most sort-after and elusive albums within the Vertigo Spiral catalogue. This seldom gets seen or offered and so hard to find with such a lovely, clean record. Musically, also one of the very best of the rare Swirl albums.

Original Year of Release: 1970

Matrix Nos: 6360004 1Y//2 1 1 1 & 6360004 B 1 1 1 4

Brief Artist & Album Info: On this most famous progressive label, never formed for huge commercial success, there were a few greats acts mixed in with the very average. Some great sleeves for sure and some less so - Affinity combines the very best of both - a classic sleeve and a stunning progressive album, one that simply got away when issued, it simply it failed to sell like so many others on this label. A cornerstone for any progressive or Vertigo collection, this is so hard to find these days in any condition. To find a little-played record and a very respectable cover, is getting harder and harder. This my first example of Affinity for some considerable time. The band were fronted by an extraordinary vocalist in Linda Hoyle, a soulful singer that gave her all and for many years, one of the best kept secrets within rock. Even these days, hardly a household name but within this genre of music both her main albums are greatly sort-after. Her voice lies somewhere between Julie Driscoll and Laura Nyro. Guitar and keyboard drenched blues-rock with jazzy elements with a distinctive progressive edge that exudes pure class - this is surely one of the ‘lost’ rock treasures and demand is growing even stronger for a Spiral copy. The cover, along with Caterpilla’s ‘Changes’, must be amongst the best in the Spiral catalogue, the beautiful turquoise hue makes this all very surreal. This one is not quite perfect: fairly mildly aged with some blemishes and edge rubbing. But none of the damaging ‘bargain-bin’ sticker tears or deletion cuts many of these elusive poor-selling Vertigo covers are seen with. The record is really lovely, as stated already, but worth reitterating because few available copies are. Any record that sells in such small numbers will be ultra rare when they still offer near pristine sound – and this does. The laws of percentage within units sold means only a certain number will still exist in top playing conditions and this is record is very impressive. These do not appear or surface often, many now stashed away in quality collections, so a rare opportunity for sure. Indeed, the record itself could prove a substantial upgrade for many.

Cover Grade and Format: EXCELLENT(–): a typical unlaminated gatefold format with matt, smooth surfaces. Clearly prone to all forms of wear. It has the 6360 004 cat number and the ‘VO Price Code’ text in a box on the top right on the back. It also has the original ‘WARNING — Copyright subsists in all Vertigo recordings’ etc. on the inner gatefold. Printed and made in England, this includes the Spiral inner sleeve.

Cover Front: One of my favourite album covers ever: it is a little difficult to explain why, it just has such ambience and character, the eerie turquoise ink colour hue adds the elements of surreal beauty. Overall, the cover has aged a little, but it can be argued it gives extra character. With many of the ‘lost’ classics being reissued to meet demand for the vinyl-revival, these simply look too new and clinical, and all the soul lost. This front still looks impressive but has a few light blemishes. A little rubbing near the edges and traces of darkening. Along the bottom edge, there appears to be a fine adhesive smear, almost certainly from manufacture, so a few fine darkened lines and a couple of very small surface rubs (or scuffs), also a small scuff on the left edge. But little detracts from the main area graphic which still looks gorgeous (as seen in close-up). The lack of creasing, major rubs, ring marks and especially sticker tears are all major positives. Also this retains very fine colour and avoiding the fading this is known to often have. The odd small mark and light hint of age is so hard to avoid on a 44-year-old cover. A very respectable front – not for the perfectionists – but many collectors will be more than happy. Sometimes with the very rare items, a little give-and-take or compromise has to be made.

Cover Back: The back has few blemishes with most of any rubbing on the very edge of the edges and corner tips that few will ever escape totally. Minimal creasing, deep colour and the lack of ring wear a major plus. Any marks few and faint as seen (just) under angled light, this back sets a high standard.

Cover Inner Gatefold: This is always difficult due to the large areas of silver ink that never wears well. So with any rubbing only light and gentle, mostly near the top edges, this inside is quite impressive. A few very mild surface creases show little and any toning or ageing equally gentle and faint. Actually one of the better centrefolds I have seen for this unforgiving cover.

Top Edges: Moderate rubbing, more patchy on the back. Both remain straight and unsplit.

Bottom Edges: Moderate rubbing which is a little more patchy that the top. Also straight and flush.

Right Edge(s), and Type: The front has a real tucked and folded edge e.g. not machine cut or trimmed. This has a little patchy rubbing. The back entrance edges are quite clean and reasonably sharp with any thickening or burring fairly light. No trimming or enhancements to this vulnerable storate edge.

Spine and Text: Solid, straight with mimimal compression, also folded square, so all edges meet up near perfectly together and parallel. There is some patchy rubbing, but not too much. However some text has worn, the title still largely present and the catalogue number unworn. With the graphic flowing around, the text is not easily seen anyway and had to check the upper text under a magnifier to confirm some is still there. The number is more easily seen and read.

Corners: The corners have at least moderate rubbing with near fine shape retained. Very gently rounded on the tips.

Cover Summary: Still a very fine and attractive cover with most of any wear on the edges and corners. The surface rubs on the front being near the very edges, do not attract the eyes attention to any great degree, but more focus on the beauty of the main areas. I reitterate, these are fine and light anyway. Clearly not the cover connoisseur or very discerning who only want perfection at any cost – should such a cover ever surface. But as stated, for the rarer items, a little compromise has to be allowed, or these things would never be offered at all. A delicate and beautiful cover in very fine overall condition, it will please many collectors.

The Inner Sleeve: NEAR EXCELLENT: with no real damage, just gently aged with the usual edge darkening of the adhesive areas. One corner crease, but two pristine window circles and clear polylining. All edges unsplit with no repairs, no writing or tears.

Vinyl Condition/Visual Grading: EXCELLENT(+): and very tempted to added the extra (+) as well. Any blemishes on this clean, fresh and lightly played record are ultra fine, few and faint as seen with utmost scrutiny under bright angled light. I examine all my records very closely under an intense desk lamp, not with variable room light. So little goes unnoticed. Any traces are super fine, even finer than hairlines and there are NO penetrating scratches on these age-defying surfaces. A superb visual copy I am certain has been played very little and then with due care and respect on a quality audio system. Visually a super record that should please most collectors.

Album Played For Grading: Yes. [I play ALL records I offer before submitting to Ebay, also the record is played in its entirety unless clearly stated otherwise. I do NOT play snippets or joining grooves to check for sound quality and quietness – I play from the beginning to end via clinically revealing B&W speakers that include the legendary tweeter from their awesome Nautilus range that reveals every blemish or minuscule sound present on any record.]

Sound Quality and Audio Grading: This rare, elusive and beautiful Vertigo Spiral record plays even above it’s high visual grading with practically nothing to fault. Powerful, totally distortion-free sound, all frequencies are sharp and clear - sound quality is superb with a wide dynamic range and very detailed sound. I noted NO surface sounds, pops or clicks and this is an exceptional clean pressing – never to be taken-for-granted on this label. Hoyle’s vocals are stunning and have real emotion, they complement the music perfectly and what a shame this band failed to make any more albums. Few available copies of this record will outperform this I feel sure. Nothing spoilt my pleasure when play-grading this wonderful album, and was a genuine thrill from start to finish. Yes, the cover has a little wear, but the record will prove immensely difficult to match or find better. It really could prove a major upgrade for existing owners. For those who want their Spiral titles to play to almost the highest level, do not dismiss this copy lightly. A near ultimate Affinity record and all fans of this genre will treasure. This record especially is unreservedly recommended – and the cover is more than respectable and attractive too.

Now one of the most established sellers on Ebay and still offering the finest and most accurately described and graded records I can find. I pride myself on offering a variety of genres to keep my site as interesting as possible. I will rarely offer any record that falls below a true Excellent grading, unless its of a certain rarity which will justify offering a lesser grade. I try, to the best of my ability to describe as accurately and as honesty as I can all items I offer for sale with all the relevant information I can think of to help any potential bidder and collector. You may notice I only submit records sparingly on Ebay - on average ONEADAY, a couple more at weekends if time permits, hence the name - time rarely allows for more as I Play-Grade virtually every record I offer in their entirety, not just bits to guess a grade - visuals alone do not always tell a true or full story. I will mention any defects or flaws no matter how small that I notice to be fair as possible to any interested collector – I am very fussy and my buyers have the right to be too. Every record I offer, whether it be a common or rare item deserves the same respect as far as I am concerned and will be treated the same - just because an item is rare does not always mean its good. I get just as much pleasure offering a relatively common record in stunning near mint condition as the real rare items. All the pictures I use for your guidance are taken with a digital camera or scanned - they are NOT improved, cleaned-up or made better looking than they are with camera trickery or enhancing with digital programmes. What you see is what you get and scanned labels will give a more accurate representation of the genuine colour than flash photography where light is variable. I cannot guarantee total accuracy for colours however but most will be very close. If any picture I take looks more flattering than the actual item for any reason, I will clearly state the fact in the advert and vice-versa. I hope the item below is to your liking - any questions can be emailed and I will do my very best to answer you. I am enthusiastic, and have a fair degree of knowledge about many genres and I promise quality items - bid with confidence - excellence comes as standard and so does Near Mint regularly. Please assume all records I offer have NO jumps, sticks, warps or writing on covers or labels unless clearly stated to the contrary. Thanks for your interest and Good luck – MIKE.

Deck: Linn LP12/Hercules/Cirkus with Ittok Mk II arm and Ortofon Rondo Red moving coil cartridge (tracks at 2 grams). Amps: Naim Nait 5i with Project USB phono stage and Chord interconnects. Speakers: B&W 704 Floorstanding 3-way Monitors (bi-wired with Terrarium Black terminated cable). All records I offer on Ebay are cleaned on a professional VPI-17 vacuum machine before play-grading for the cleanest and best possible sound and will include a brand new lined inner and protective cover too. Pictures taken with a Nikon D5000 SLR Digital Camera.

PACKING - THIS IS WHAT YOU GET.

What You Get: To confirm to the strict Ebay rules on shipping, I must now send ALL my packets ‘Signed-For’ with NO exceptions. Both buyers and sellers want their packets to have a safer journey and this is not a bad thing.

I now offer the fastest possible posting, often the very next day after payment is received or within two to three days maximum (unless on holiday). I only use FIRST-CLASS Mail. The record’s cover will be placed within a BRAND NEW soft protective sleeve and the actual record will be professionally cleaned on my new VPI-17 Pro vacuum system to give ultimate clean grooves and playing surfaces and the best possible looks and ultimate sound quality. You will NOT get tired, dull looking, dust infested records inside worn and foggy covers with tatty inners from this seller and that’s a promise and guarantee. All records are posted in professional boxes (NOT Mailers, these do not offer any real protection). The record(s) are REMOVED from their main cover to avoid edge splits and placed within a brand new polylined inner. The record’s original inner will be included if available. The boxes are then reinforced with at least TWO, ULTRA THICK stiffeners for maximum extra protection – these are FOUR TIMES thicker than commercial stiffeners and are custom-made for oneadayrecords. Really rare and expensive albums will even be Double Boxed if deemed necessary and possible. When larger boxes are used, the thick record and stiffener ‘sandwich’ is then thickly embedded into bubble-wrap to bulk out the record inside the box to centre the item inside to reduce the risk of damage still further. Printed address labels are used for clarity as well as a sender label. Customers requests or special needs for P&P will be respected if at all possible but ‘Signed-For’ posting is NOT an option anymore. I do not profit on posting and the cost of this lavish packing is NOT even charged for, I offer probably the best-value and safest shipping possible for ultimate confidence. The boxes and ultra thick double-wall stiffeners and bubble wrap make a near impregnable fortress for safe shipping and this is used inland and overseas for ALL my records, not just the rare and expensive. I will invoice any winning bidder as soon as possible after the auction ends. My ‘loss’ or ‘damage rate’ is less than one in two thousand+ based on over 10,000+ items sold in over 12 years of Ebay trading and I consider that pretty exceptional. The only damage rate acceptable for this seller is ZERO and I think my packets will offer just that. It would take a vicious postman or postal service to damage these for sure. Even one of these stiffeners cannot be bent by hand, so what chance 2 inside a box? Oneadayrecords is a MAILER-FREE ZONE. I discount of course for multiple purchases with a maximum of FIVE records per box (one double can sometimes be included subject to total weight). All postage costs are below and at the top of the listing.

NOTE: First Time Bidders: Please ask me first.

PLEASE NOTE: I now exercise my right to open a dispute after the Ebay rule of FOUR days if no payment is received. I will then cancel the dispute to end the, again after the mandatory FOUR days and then offer the item to the runner-up or relist. The non-payer will also be blocked from my Ebay site and they take the Ebay consequences (a strike or removal from the system). Small businesses need prompt payment to trade and these strict rules WILL be applied.

SHIPPING COSTS & CONDITIONS – THESE comply with EBAY’S RULES - PLEASE READ CAREFULLY:

Posting & Packing: UK & CHANNEL ISLANDS all now sent via Recorded Delivery:

1 LP (FIRST-CLASS Recorded Delivery with Standard Royal Mail Insurance) [Signed For] = £4.75

1 LP (Special Delivery with Standard £500 Maximum Insurance) [Signed For, Next Day] = £8. (this includes insurance of £500). Add £2 per extra LP.

Posting & Packing: EUROPE & SCANDINAVIA. (Airmail Only):

1 LP (Small Packet ‘Signed For’ with Standard Royal Mail Insurance [£50 maximum]) = £12.50 (enhanced Royal Mail insurance is an optional extra £3). Add £3 per extra LP.

Posting & Packing: ALL OVERSEAS (non-European) e.g. USA (ANY PART OF); South America; New Zealand; Australia; Canada; Japan and other Far East; (Airmail Only: I NEVER use Surface Mail):

1 LP (Small Packet ‘Signed For’ with Standard Royal Mail Insurance [£50 maximum]) = £16.50 (£17.50 for double sets). Add £3 per extra LP. (enhanced Royal Mail insurance is an optional extra £3)

Payment Conditions:

I prefer PayPal or cheque from UK winning bidders. I can accept PayPal from overseas bidders or direct payment into my bank account.

Potential Bidders: I will cancel any bids I feel are time-wasters. A maximum 3 days for communication and 7 days for payment to arrive - if not I will relist the item or offer to the runner-up. Fast deals get great feedback from me. Any questions - please ask and thanks for looking.

My Guarantee: If any winning bidder is not satisfied with their purchase I will offer a complete refund. I will not refund if any defect detail is clearly stated on the advert and missed by the buyer, so read the item description carefully. If any overseas collector does not understand anything in my listing, please email and ask me to help. Thank You.

SOME GENERAL GUIDES TO WEAR AND CONDITIONS TO HELP YOU DECIDE

My Use of Description Terminology: Surface Marks = Superficial, usually light marks, hairlines or light scuffs that rarely sound. Scratch = a needle mark that goes below the record’s surface, some will sound, some will not, my play-grade will inform. Original = a record that has been pressed with the first label design which does NOT necessarily mean a very first pressed record. First Pressing = A record that I believe or know to be a genuine very first pressed record. I do not claim to always know for sure, and that’s why I state the stamper and matrix numbers if at all possible, for those who claim to know what they all mean, the information is there for the collector to decide. I prefer to use terms like ‘Early Copy’ rather than ‘First Pressing’ if I am not totally sure. Surface Sound = Mild, light sound, usually light crackle or similar. Distortion = Break up of the actual sound caused by groove wear or damage from a chipped stylus – the most undesirable form of unwanted sound, vintage mono records were the most prone to this happening but not exclusively so. The symptoms of distortion are high frequency clipping, moderate constant crackle or an echo type sound quality. Violin, piano and vocals are most prone to groove-wear distortion. Feathering = Fraying or softening of the entry edge of a cover. Covers with feathered entrance edges are more likely to have had the actual record inserted and removed more than a non-feathered, sharp-edged cover which are always far more attractive. Set Off, actually a printer’s term for dark ink leaving mild residue on pale or white ink when rested upon. e.g. when a gatefold cover has black ink closed against white, this can leave some black residue on the pale area – this is mostly unavoidable or course.

The Argument for Vinyl Original sound and mix (mono mixes are rarely available on CD), high quality sound on clean copies (played on a hi-end dedicated analogue system – breathtaking sound!), beautiful, large format covers, artwork, inserts and even full size posters etc; huge investment potential, and the pleasure of owning ‘the real thing’.