APHRODITE'S CHILD – 666 RARE UK 1972 Vertigo EX++ 2 LPs

	£		102
	$		135

Hi, I am Mike, now 51. Old enough to remember the golden era of original, high quality music, bands, artists.

Also records from the 1960s and 70s bought from the shops from new, I have been a music collector and enthusiast for over 37 years now. We all wish we could turn back the clock and buy those wonderful brand new records from the 60s and 70s, but alas, this is not possible; so I always try to offer the finest and most accurately described and graded records I can find. No vinyl/music lover really would choose to buy second-hand, but this is only way now to own these valuable, prized and elusive items now. 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 reader – 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 one hundred percent is exact colour matching for covers - this depends on the lighting at the time and that is out of my control, but I feel sure most items will be very close to the actual real item. 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 with Ittok Mk IV arm and Ortofon Samba Moving Coil cartridge (tracks at 1.8 grams). Amps: Naim Nait 5i with Project USB phono stage and Chord interconnects. Speakers: B&W 704 Floorstanding 3-way Monitors (bi-wired). All records I offer on Ebay are cleaned on a professional Moth vacuum machine before play-grading for the cleanest and best possible sound and will include a brand new lined inner and protective cover too.

First-time, zero-rated bidders, who do not ask permission to bid, will be cancelled immediately and blocked – NO exceptions. For winning bidders who I consider excessively slow to make contact or submit payment, I will use my right to block future bids. If any bidder who wins in the final seconds is present to do so, surely they can at least email me to inform of intention and payment method? If swift or promp payment is a problem, please do not bid.

POSTING & PACKING: What You Get: I post all my UK items on FRIDAY every week, most will arrive Saturday to make signed-for delivery easier. All records are posted in professional boxes (NOT mailers) with the record(s) 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 TWO massively thick stiffners for even extra protection and bubble wrap if deemed necessary. These stiffners are the thickest possible and custom supplied for ‘Oneadayrecords’ – these are NOT commercially available and you will not have seen thicker protection anywhere. The cover will be placed within a BRAND NEW heavy duty soft protective sleeve and the actual record will be professionally cleaned on my Moth Pro vacuum system to give ultimate clean grooves and playing surfaces and the best possible looks and ultimate sound quality. Printed address labels are used as well as ‘Fragile’ tape for that extra professional touch for the packet. 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. Customers requests or special needs for P&P will be respected if at all possible but NOT surface mail abroad. I never make profit on posting and offer probably the cheapest and safest shipping possible. I will invoice any winning bidder as soon as possible after the auction ends, with the total costs including ‘standard’ or ‘optional extra insurance’ P&P – ALL UK and Russian packets go out non-negotiable Recorded Delivery. My ‘loss’ or ‘damage rate’ is less than 0.1 per percent based on over 3,500+ items sold in over 5 years of Ebay trading (I am now one of most established sellers via Ebay) and I consider that pretty exceptional.

PLEASE NOTE: I will now only send packets to Russia with Recorded Delivery at a cost of £7 per single LP. If this is unacceptable to Russian collectors, please do not bid. I only want my records to arrive safely and this gives packets a better chance to do so. Also ALL UK packets will be sent with either Recorded or Special Delivery as standard (both have to be signed for). All shipping costs and rules can be found after my description. If they are not acceptable, please do not bid.

ANYONE WHO HAS INTELLIGENCE

MAY INTERPRET THE NUMBER OF THE BEAST

IT IS A MAN’S NUMBER

THIS NUMBER IS

666

Artist or Band: APHRODITE’S CHILD

Album Title: 666.

Composser: Vangelis Papathanassiou.

Lyrics: Costas Ferris.

Producer(s): Vangelis Papathanassiou.

A Special Note about this Album: A highly controversial issue when first conceived, but ultimately one of the greatest, original and daring progressive classics ever issued and this ranks as one of my favourite albums of all-time. It just gets better and better on every listen and the details on an early pressed vinyl copy are unsurpassed. This was initially issued on the Vertigo Spiral label and is very rare indeed and seldom seen or offered. Nothing, for me on Vertigo is in the same league musically as this sublime creative album. A very late Spiral issue that was recorded in 1970 and due for release on Mercury Records at this time. Vangelis became deadlocked in a long fight with Mercury over the content of this record. The label particularly, objected to the song ‘?’ (infinity), which they considered obscene. It featured a Greek actress, Irene Papas chanting the words ‘I was, I am, I am to come I Was’ over and over again in various stages of orgasmic ecstasy, while Vangelis accompanied her on a barrage of intense percussion. This infamous, five-minute track was apparently cut down from a near 40-minute piece recorded in a single take. A second issue of opinion was the lyrics in ‘The System’ with use of the ‘F’ expletive throughout – “We got the System to F*** the System…”. A third controversial aspect was the cover text which stated: ‘This album was recorded under the influence of Sahlep.’ Suspected to be either a drug or some form of Satanic ritual – in fact it is a drink popular around the eastern Mediterranean and made from the dried powdered roots of a type of orchid. Vangelis refused to change the album’s content and only after two years after the parts were recorded was it decided it was to be issued, not on Mercury but on the more contemporary, progressive Vertigo Spiral label – a very late one and one of the very last titles issued hence is great rarity. This has now become one of the most sort-after Spiral albums ever issued, genuinely rare, any example on the full Spiral label is near impossible to find – hence I have no hestitation in offering the second pressing on the Vertigo Spaceship format. Although not as rare as the Spiral pressing, which usually commands huge prices, this is still a very scarce album. Quite how this band, who had previously issued two fairly standard ‘poppy’ albums, could change direction so dramatically – too dramatically for most of the band members – is little short of astonishing. The band split soon afterwards, Vangelis was now a master keyboard player and he had a successful career within his specialised field. Roussos was blessed with an amazing voice that works perfectly on this album, his eerie vocal could never be bettered by anyone but away from an album like this, it probably did not belong within the progressive rock field, he went on to sell many records in popular music. This complex, innovative, daring and controversial album – even to this day – has more than stood the test of time. A brilliantly packaged, produced and performed album that no progressive or rock fan could fail to want or like – it’s a near masterpiece that gets the senses and pulse-rate soaring. Play the track ‘Infinity’ to hear sounds that are practically unique on record, the intensity of Papas’s vocals send shivers down the spine, I guess it did her’s too. The production, stereo mix and imagery have to be experienced and here it simply blew me away. I had to call a halt in typing and decided to listen to the entire album doing nothing but listen. This is top premier league in progressive music and only the recognised classics like King Crimson’s debut and Floyd’s ‘Dark Side of the Moon’ really challenge it for me. This is a great copy and includes a UK-made cover, many seen are German. The records have a couple of minor surface marks but have NO sound and this is an astonishing audio experience that can be unreservedly recommended.

TRACK LIST

Side 1: The system; Babylon; Loud loud loud; The four Horsemen; The Lamb; The Seventh Seal.

Side 2: Aegian Sea; Seven Bowls; The Wakening Beast; Lament; The Marching Beast; The Battle Of The Locusts; Do it; Tribulation; The Beast; Ofis.

Side 3: Seven Trumpets; Altamont; The Wedding of The Lamb; The Capture of The Beast; Infinity Symbol; Hic and nunc.

Side 4: All the Seats were occupied; Break.

Label/Format: Vertigo – Spaceship early repress format (please see my label scan).

Label Conditions: All four very clean and attractive with only light/light+ spindle marks that have minimal visibility.

Cover Cat Number: 6673 001.

Label Number: 6333 500 / 6333 501.

Mode / Speed: Stereo / 33.3 rpm.

Weight of this Records: 125 / 120 grams. Actually heavier pressed than the only Spiral copy I have ever had to offer.

Country of Manufacture: England.

Rarity: The Spiral original is rare and seldom seen or offered and commands huge prices. This early Spaceship repress is still scarce and a full UK example is quite elusive. This is not dissimilar to the Kraftwerk double set that was also issued briefly on the Spiral format, that too failed to sell and almost immediately disappeared on the Swirl format. For vinyl lovers who want the classics but are not prepared to pay a king’s ranson for a label design, both this and the Kraftwerk double set are ideal.

Original Year of Release: This album was due for issue in 1970 on Mercury Records, but was not released until 1972 due to its controversial content and label switching and nervousness.

Matrix Nos: 6333500 1Y 1 420 1 1 6 / 6333500 2Y 1 420 1 1 5 / 6333501 1Y 1 420 1 1 7 / 6333501 2Y 1 420 1 1 8 (all these numbers the same as the Spiral pressing bar the last minor digit on the stamper)

Musicians: Vangelis Papathanassiou: Organ, piano, flute, percussion, vibes and various others, vocal backing; Demis Roussos: Bass, vocal backings, lead vocal on ‘The four horsemen’, ‘Babylon and Hic et nunc’; Lucas Sideras: Drums, vocal backing, lead vocal on ‘The Beast’ and ‘Break’; Silver Koulouris: Guitars and percussion. Guests: Harris Halikitis – Bass, tenor sax, conga drums, backing vocal; Michel Ripoche – Trombone, tenor sax; John Forst – Narration; Yannis Tsarouchis – Greek text; Irene Papas – Vocal on ‘Infinity’.

Brief Info: Originating from Greece, unusual in itself for a rock band at this time. Including two members – Vangelis and Roussos – that fast became well known, one within progressive rock, one for more mainstream popular music. Aphrodite’s Child had previously issued two respectable popular music albums on Mercury Records previous to the recording of this amazing album. This double set was an amazing departure from the previous style and no-one could have predicted what was to follow. A monumental, highly intelligent concept album about the end of the world according to the Book of Revelations. The music is a truly amazing combination of progressive rock, psych, and even ethnic Greek influences. Controversial right from the very outset, ‘The System’ has a crowd chanting repetitively ‘We got the system to f*** the system’ over and over before the music for track two fires in with real venom. Rock guitar music, vocals, even some short narration follows, this is nothing like the previous works and prog fans will revel in this. I do not wish to give too much away for any potential collector who has yet to hear this phenomenal album. But special mention has to be made for ‘Infinity’, the most amazing and remarkable piece on the whole album and one of the greatest female vocals ever put to record. A vocal extravaganza with Vangelis backing on some stunning and powerful percussion. Starting quietly but building up to the most powerful ‘climax’ possibly ever recorded. The erotic orgasmic sounds scared the wits out of Mercury and this was the main reason why this album was not issued until some considerable time after completion – and then on Vertigo, not Merucury. This is a totally extraordinary album throughout with supreme musicianship, sound, production, effects and sheer entertainment guaranteed, all in great packaging too. A genuine masterwork and a fantastic copy too. There are couple of paper scuffs but they have NO effect on sound at all. Side four is pure progressive rock at its very best, the lengthy final song that occupies most of side four is simply astonishing. One of the most elusive and sort-after albums on the Spiral label, I have no qualms in offering this Spaceship copy – it gives the more ‘average’ collector chance to experience this unique album on the format it was made on. A set to cherish this sounds incredible and bar the labels, is just the same. Aphrodite’s Child were hardly the most famous name in rock music, but after the release of this album, they became immortal. After hearing this again it makes you ask yourself – ‘Where has all the creativity in music gone?’

Cover’s Potential for Wear: More moderate, this English printed cover has a more ‘de luxe’ finish with realr laminate front and back. Some later examples had only varnished surfaces. This wraps around the top edges on to the inside but the inner gatefold itself is unlaminated and a little more prone to rubbing and ‘set-off’, even ringwear but this fine example has little real wear at all. The controversial ‘Sahlep’ reference is included.

Cover Grade and Format: EX++. A gatefold format with laminate on front and back as mentioned above. This has the UK catalogue number (6673 001) on the back AND spine and the famous Spiral logo on the front. The back has the boxed VO price code. Stating the obvious, this has the red design, some were issued in black. The inside of the gatefold has no laminate but all edges are laminate protected. This was printed and made in England, many seen or offered are German.

Lamination: Front & Back: Very clear, clean and shiny, the only small blemish is a price sticker ‘pick’ mark near the top right corner area that has left a couple of tiny surface chips. Retaining a genuine freshness, the intense red artwork can be enjoyed to maximum advantage. Apart from the general lack of creasing, a few minor edge hairlines and odd half moon or two, the lack of lifting or blistering is a huge bonus. With very few surface marks and hardly any pressmarks, this cover will be hard to find much more attractive. There is no friction rubbing or dull areas and any record impressions are ultra light and faint. The laminate ends a few millimeters short of full width on the entrance edges but even these exposed red strips are clean and unchipped with no grime-line formation. I feel most collectors will enjoy this one.

Cover Inner Gatefold: The top edges have the laminate ends inside, Just minor evidence of sticking on a couple of places but no noteworthy damage done. Very slight handling traces on the matt black surface which few will ever avoid but these minor blemishes apart, this centrefold looks fantastic. Fresh and clean, both faces will prove difficult to find better.

Top Edges: Both unworn with the laminate ultra smooth and unscuffed.

Bottom Edges: Both pretty much the same again.

Right Edge(s), and Type: Clean, very sharp with no traces of wear or feathering. Records entered on these right outside edges which are very vulnerable to wear again with the rich red colour being totally unaffected with no chipping.

Spine and Text: Very slightly faded with exposure over 36 years or so, but this is being somewhat critical. Solid, straight, uncompressed and square, both right edges meet up very closely together and parallel. The odd small laminate peel but the red ink is totally unaffected or worn – most-all is still strongly intact and attractive. All text is perfect and unworn.

Corners: All very neat and attractive and very fine shape retained by all.

Cover Summary: A really lovely example, one that justifies the importance of this album. The laminate gives this real class and finding a better red example will prove very difficult indeed – it will please most collectors.

The Inners: Both fine EX in the Polydor style with linings secure and clear. Generally clean and avoiding seam gum toning, minimal creasing and all edges unsplit. Both have very neat, clear and undamaged windows.

Vinyl Condition/Visual Gradings: Side One: Mint(-), no noteworthy marks. Side Two: EX, this has a lightish paper scuff on the outer tracks bands which have NO SOUND whatsoever. Also a small paper scuff on the run out grooves, again of no consequence. Side Three: EX+ again a couple of light paper scuffs, totally surface blemishes with NO SOUND at all. Side Four: Mint(-), like side one, almost looking new. A very fine visual pair that are very clean, shiny, intense black and very solidly pressed – actually heavier than the Spiral example I have a couple of years ago. A copy only lightly played and I feel confident these minor scuff blemishes would have been present from manufacture, when they have no effect on sound, why worry? Visually great records that average out at better than EX+, they should please most collectors.

Album Played For Grading: Yes – and what a pleasure to do so. [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 snippetts 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 miniscule sound present on any record.]

Sound Quality and Audio Grading: Both records play up to their high visual grading with practically nothing to fault. Strong, distortion-free sound, all frequencies are sharp and clear - sound quality is astonishing with a wide dynamic range and very detailed sound. This gave the me the rare ‘tingle’ factor several times when play-grading. The details, power and sheer brilliance of the music makes this one of the best records I have ever heard. My Linn excelled revealing fine details that even my Merdian CD played missed via the latest Japanese CD card issue that I thought was pretty marvellous itself. Praise indeed for this astonishing set. The production is smooth but dynamic and the stereo imagery is breathtaking. I know I keep mentioning the track ‘Infinity’, but this is truly worthy of such praise. The vocal dexterity of Irene Papas is awesome as is the channel-to-channel effects, Vangelis’s percussion has an in-the-room quality. All the complex sounds, vocals and instruments are fully focused with no stressing to the unworn grooves. This can be played at high volume with supreme confidence. Any surface sounds are minimal indeed with barely a noteworthy pops or click noticed, and this too, an album with a fair number of quite passages. An overall exceptional clean pressing for a fairly challenging album, I can hardly ever imagine finding or hearing a better example, this was a genuine thrill from start to finish. Few copies will ever match or outperform this fantastic Spaceship copy, that is a certainty. I feel very sure both records have hardly been played and have been clearly well stored and carefully handled, almost certainly in a non-smoking environment. Nothing spoilt my pleasure when play-grading these amazing records. This set will prove very difficult to find significantly better and are strongly recommended.

End Piece: Rarely do I ponder so long before offering a record, this was a difficult one for me to put up for offer but its done now. ‘Classic’, ‘Masterpiece’, ‘Groundbreaking’, ‘Essential’, ‘Innovative’, ‘Rare’ – are words all overused, and, hands-up, sometimes I am guilty too. But I make no excuse for using these words for this album. This is a stunning landmark recording within the ‘progressive rock’ genre – and even any genre quite honestly. No rock fan could not enjoy this groundbreaking album. Okay it’s not a Spiral copy but how often do these get seen or offered and if so, for how much and what condition? This is near unbeatable with practically every second playing perfectly. An inspired album from a band that almost progressed too quickly. Controversial, even slightly unsettling, for sure totally original, brave and compelling. The best Spiral album ever made? – Without any shadow of doubt – The best progressive album ever? – possibly – do NOT lose this one.

NOTE: First Time Bidders: I will cancel ALL first-time bidders with no feedbacks or excessive negatives who do not ask me if its OK to bid first – NO EXCEPTIONS.

Please Note: I will now offer any item to the runner-up after the mandatory Ebay 3 days if no contact is made by the winning bidder unless prior notice of any delay is given beforehand. The same applies if no payment is received within the mandatory 7 days so any bidder who has just lost out can still email me to reserve the item as priority second chance – it’s always worth asking.

SHIPPING COSTS & OPTIONS:

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

1 LP (First Class Recorded Delivery with Standard Royal Mail Insurance) [Signed For] = £4 (OPTIONAL).

1 LP (Special Delivery with Standard £500 Maximum Insurance) [Signed For, Next Day] = £7 (OPTIONAL).

Posting & Packing: EUROPE & SCANDINAVIA (NOT RUSSIA, see below) (Airmail Only):

1 LP (Small Packet Standard with Standard Royal Mail Insurance) = £5.

1 LP (Small Packet ‘Signed For’ with included Insurance to Item’s ‘Sold’ Value, £500* Maximum) = £9 (OPTIONAL).

Posting & Packing: RUSSIA (Recorded Only, if this is unacceptable, please do not bid):

1 LP (Small Packet ‘Signed For’ only £7) = £9 (OPTIONAL extra insurance as above).

Posting & Packing: OVERSEAS (non-European) e.g. US; Australia; Far East; (Airmail Only: I NEVER use Surface Mail):

1 LP (Small Packet Standard with Standard Royal Mail Insurance) = £8.

1 LP (Small Packet ‘Signed For’ with included Insurance to Item’s ‘Sold’ Value, £500* Maximum) = £13 (OPTIONAL).

* If Rules allow for that country.

PLEASE NOTE: I always get a Royal Mail ‘Proof-of-Posting’ receipt for ALL packets that are sent out and I am happy to prove this to any customer who wishes to see it via email.

Payment Conditions:

I prefer PayPal or cheque from UK winning bidders. I can accept PayPal from overseas bidders.

The customer can choose their method of shipping with the exception of second class or surface mail overseas – these I will NOT use. The winner bidder chooses his/her posting method and if uninsured is chosen, its their decision and they have to stick with it, I can accept no responsibility if an item is lost in the post. I can only try to claim at standard levels if no enhancement is chosen (£35).

Potential Bidders: Please do not bid if you have negative feedback unless checking first, I will cancel any bids I feel are timewasters. 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 minus the Posting and All Ebay costs as long as the item detail has been read and understood. I will not refund if any defect detail is clearly stated on the advert and missed by the buyer. If any overseas collector does not understand anything in my listing, please email and ask me to help.

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 neccessarily 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’.