Blossom Toes : If Only For A Moment A3/B2 Very Rare 1st Press

This mega rare psych prog LP is super collectable today and for the vast majority plays with incredible audio quality.  This is one of the first off the production line as can be seen by the matrix numbers.

Marmalade // 608010 // A // 3  1 1  2 / B // 2  1 1  1

The audio on S1 is Ex+ (Near Mint / Mint- for the majority / VG- for 10 seconds on track 2)

The audio on S2 is Near Mint (Mint- for the majority / VG for 5 seconds on track 1)

The laminated cover is VG+

The labels are Mint-

The inner sleeve is Near Mint-

Visual grading

This is one of those vinyls whereby the audio plays far better than its visual quality and it just shows how robustly vinyl was produced in the 60s.  S1 for example is very clean except for one 5cm by 4cm area where there are a number of hairlines but how they got there who knows.  There are a small number of other faint hairlines but I am pleased to say that none of the hairlines on this side have any affect on the stunning quality of the audio.  S2 has some hairlines again some of which are more obvious than others and a small number of shallow scuff marks but once again they do not affect the audio.  As detailed below the sound quality is absolutely stunning for such rare pressing.  Basically it does not look mint but the audio is not far from it!  In saying that I am sure it is cleaner than many and it does not have any feelable scratches.

Play grading  

The quiet intro on 'Peace Loving Man' has some light crackle but once the vocal 'kicks in' the audio is stunning.  There are a couple of light clicks only but the depth and power is astounding for such a mega rare vinyl.  From then on the audio is of a fantastic standard and dare I say plays 'as new'.  There is just no interference of any kind, no static or crackle and no clicks or pops.  I can't quite believe what I'm hearing!  There is no distortion on the top end and the clarity throughout is of a 'high end' standard rarely heard.

'Kiss Of Confusion' then continues in the same way with superlative sound quality from the very first groove.  There is just a minimal amount of light static in the first quiet section but it is so much in the background as to be totally negligible.  The clarity and sonic quality is just incredible!  Towards the end of the track there are 5/6 clicks sadly although I cannot detect the cause so may be a pressing fault.  The track then resumes with superb audio and the fade out plays with perfect precision.

'Listen To The Silence' is another stunning example of the amazing clarity on offer here and plays with Near Mint quality.  The definition and depth of the recording is palpable from the start.  The super quiet mid section has only a minor touch of mega light static for a few seconds and displays a clarity and richness that is second to none.  The remainder of the track just has to be heard to be believed!  There are only 3/4 light static sounds in the 'silent' section and quite simply it plays as close to 'new' as is possible in my opinion.  Just a couple of crackle sounds on the fade out.

The very quiet intro on 'Love Bomb' plays very clearly and with only light crackle sounds here and there.  They do not intrude on the quality of the listen and if anything add to the experience - this is vinyl and is part of its charm.  There are no loud clicks or pops and the clarity again is just so good.  Once the vocal begins the audio is again 'high end' with barely any 'background' and this superb standard continues to the end.  The separation is just so obvious - i.e. every note of the music / each instrument is so clearly heard, there is no muddiness to the sound whatsoever.  There is hardly any static on the quiet section towards the end and I am confident in saying the vast majority of this track is Mint- the audio is phenomenal.  Even the fade out plays perfectly with no 'background'. 

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'Billy Boo The Gunman' has only a little static on the intro and then impresses with wonderful depth and definition.  The bass is so strong on this track and the clarity again could not be any better.  There are just four light clicks in the quieter mid bass section but that is the only interference worthy of note.  The vast majority of this track plays with immaculate audio the likes of which is very rarely heard on such a rare and highly collectable LP.  The instrumental end section is just awesome!  Such incredible power and depth - wow!  It is 'as new'.

The quiet intro on 'Indian Summer' plays very clearly with only mega light static that is 100% non-intrusive and I only mention it to be complete in my grading.  I am very close to the speakers!  There is just a touch of light static prior to the instrumental mid section which then plays with impeccable quality and can only be graded as Mint the clarity is that good.  In fact the audio throughout is of a superb standard and the long quiet section leading to the end again plays with such incredible clarity and definition.  There is barely any static, it is SUPERB!!  Is this really a first pressing from 1969?!  It continues with Mint quality audio to the end.

'Just Above My Hobby Horse's Head' plays with superlative audio throughout.  For fear of repeating myself the audio is nigh on perfect, the clarity and depth of the sound is 'high end' to say the least.  Aside from a little static on the fade out this plays with perfect precision.

'Wait A Minute' is another sublime listen.  The intro has very little static and then proceeds to play with wonderful depth and power.  The quieter sections play so clearly with next to no static - wow!  This clarity is of an exceptional standard and again this is another track that plays practically 'as new'.  Absolutely stunning!  The end section is sublime and the fade out plays with near perfection.  A fantastic finale to a quite simply mind-blowing album!!

In summary this mega collectable first stereo pressing is a final upgrade, archive copy without doubt.  Despite the markings this vinyl has all the signs of one that has been hardly played.  The clarity of sound, the depth and precision of the audio and the lack of spindle wear are all tell tale signs of indeed a rarely played record.  Any vinyl connoisseur will appreciate the rarity and collectable value of this LP.  Look no further for one that plays to a standard that is very very rarely heard!  With only one small section on each side that displays any obvious interference this is audio of the highest calibre.

The Cover

I grade according to "Record Collector" guidelines.

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