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Colosseum : Valentyne Suite 1Y1 / 2Y1 1st Press w/ Philips credit

This first pressing plays with immaculate audio and I do mean immaculate!  I have never heard anything like it!  I know I can get a little over-enthusiastic at times when it comes to my grading (!) but when you hear sonic quality such as this I can be forgiven!  It may not be one of the most collectable Vertigo pressings but as it was the first in their varied catalogue it is certainly rare to find one in this condition and the same applies to the cover.  I'm not exactly a fan of jazz rock but this album has a genuine progressive 'feel' to it and I have a real soft spot for it!  Love the music and especially 'The Valentyne Suite' on S2 which is absolutely stunning here!

The clarity, depth and power of the audio here is exceptional and there is literally no background on either side, a couple of barely audible dust ticks that's about it!  It is a FINAL UPGRADE archive classic as it just could not play any better.  The vinyl is visually stunning and on first 'look' you would be mistaken for thinking it was 'as new'.     

The gatefold is also in fantastic condition with only minor wear on the bottom edges and the original Swirl inner is one of the cleanest I have ever seen.

As this is a genuine first press it has the large Vertigo swirl on the S2 label and A Philips Record Product at the bottom.  This Philips credit is also printed underneath all the credits on the inside of the gatefold.  

VO 1  847 900 VTY // 886 775  1Y*1  420  1 2 // 886 775  2*Y*1  420  1 1 1 0

The audio on S1 is Mint(-)

The audio S2 is Mint(-)

The gatefold is Near Mint-

The Swirl Inner is Near Mint

The labels are Near Mint-

Visual description

The vinyl is in beautiful condition and still has an immaculate glossy sheen despite being nearly 54 years old.  There are no marks or scratches and under a bright light I can only see a handful of the faintest sleeve removal hairlines you could imagine.  There is obviously no 'bag rash' or groove wear and the run out grooves are super clean.  The iconic labels are unmarked and only have some faint spindle wear but not an excessive amount.

Play grading

The run in on S1 has no background and then the intro on 'The Kettle' plays to perfection as does the opening vocal section.  A powerhouse of a track it continues to play with stunning precision and with no distortion at all.  I cannot praise it highly enough, Litherland's guitar work is exemplary and Hiseman's drumming also adds so much to the overall sound.  Put simply this is 'as new' from the first note to the last with zero intrusion.  A Mint start to this classic album.

With complete silence in the dead wax 'The Elegy' then plays to the same high end standard with no interference.  No clicks, pops or static not even a solitary dust tick.  Every section plays with incredible sonic quality and the fade out has no background either.  Another Mint track.

The long intro on 'Butty's Blues' plays with perfect clarity and from then on you cannot fault the audio.  The vocals are so clean and the instrumental sections are stunning.  I love the musicianship on this album and it is very much in evidence here.  Running at nearly 7 minutes the audio is 'as new' from start to finish including another pristine fade out.  Mint

'The Machine Demands A Sacrifice' concludes the side with wonderful audio...again.  The first section has no background and as the volume decreases to near silence there is not even a dust tick to be heard i.e. 100% perfect clarity!  This final section then plays with exceptional quality and again I have no hesitation in grading this as Mint as there is literally no interference.  Every note is so clean and precise.  A STUNNING side of music.

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'The Valentyne Suite' on S2 is of course broken up into three sections and the first 'January's Search' plays with great quality from the word go.  The relatively quiet intro has no background and then the opening 'piece' plays with sublime quality and 'as new' is no exaggeration.  The quieter mid section keeps up this fine standard and plays beautifully with only a couple of barely audible dust ticks and then the final section begins slowly and then erupts into fast paced audio perfection!  To the end it plays with remarkable sonic quality and again Mint is deserved.

The intro on 'February's Valentyne' plays with a clarity we have come to expect now and it continues in the same manner with nothing to detract from the Mint audio.  I just cannot put into words just how powerful and precise the audio is - it honestly plays like it was pressed only yesterday but without the warmth and depth that you only get from these Vertigo first pressings.  The end section is just mesmeric!

The introduction to 'The Grass Is Always Greener' is flawless and from then on this near 7 minute opus plays with exceptional clarity and depth and with no inner groove distortion I am pleased to say.  Every section plays like a stylus has never run over it before!  This truly is audio of the highest calibre and that is helped in no small measure by the stunning quality of the musicianship.  I mean the entire high octane section is just phenomenal and like I say there is zero distortion.  The brief quieter section near the end has not even a single dust tick and to the final percussive note it plays perfectly.  THE MOST STUNNING VERSION OF THIS CLASSIC I HAVE EVER HEARD!!  S2 is quite simply Mint from start to finish.

In summary what can I say that I haven't said already?!  This is basically the pressing to end all pressings!  I have sold a few of these down the years including a number of Near Mint / Mint copies but never one as immaculate and as 'complete' as this.  Both sides play with a clarity, depth and power and resonance that is quite simply on another level.  This is precisely why the Vertigo first pressings are so collectable - when you get a super clean vinyl like this the overall sonic quality knocks the socks off any later pressing / reissue.  This is unequivocally a FINAL UPGRADE archive pressing - that goes without saying.  A beautifully preserved vinyl and that applies to the cover and inner also as detailed below.

The Gatefold & Swirl Inner

The Keef cover is without doubt the finest example I have seen and the two things that stand out are - how clean it is and just how strong it is also.  It has kept its original shape and structure and has a real firm feel - I can't put it any other way!  The top edges have only a couple of tiny 'rubs' and the only real wear is a little rubbing on the bottom edges which is a little more pronounced towards the right corners but is still not a major issue.  The wide spine is in fantastic shape with barely any wear on the corners and the top right corners are also incredibly clean.  Just a little wear on the corners bottom right as stated.  The opening edge is pristine and the and the front cover is in beautiful condition - unmarked with just one tiny indent next to the opening edge and a minor rub bottom right that you can only see close up.  The back cover is in superb shape with just minor wear bottom left and has no marking or creasing.  The inside of the gatefold is immaculate and as per the first pressings it has A PHILIPS RECORDS PRODUCT printed in the lower right panel.  A stunning cover for sure.

You will not be surprised to hear that the original poly-lined Vertigo Swirl Inner is in superb condition and looks like it has hardly ever been removed from the cover!  It is so clean, has no side splits or tears and hardly any creasing or age related fading.

Play tested on my Rega P2 Turntable / Denon PMA-520AE Amp / B&W 684 Speakers

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

VO 1  847 900 VTY // 886 775  1Y*1  420  1 2 // 886 775  2*Y*1  420  1 1 1 0

I grade according to "Record Collector" guidelines

Any questions please feel free to ask

Please pay within 4 days of auction end

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Postage & Packaging

I NOW ONLY SEND ITEMS WORLDWIDE VIA TRACKED SHIPPING. THIS PROVIDES 'PEACE OF MIND' IN CASE OF LOSS OR DAMAGE. ALL COSTS ARE SHOWN BELOW AND COMBINED POSTAGE IS ALWAYS OFFERED. ANY OVER-PAYMENT WILL ALWAYS BE REFUNDED BACK TO THE BUYER.

THE ROYAL MAIL ONLY INSURE ITEMS UP TO THE VALUE OF £250 SO IF AN ITEM SELLS FOR MORE A COURIER SERVICE MAY BE USED (e.g. Parcelforce, DPD).  AN EXTRA INSURANCE PREMIUM WILL BE REQUIRED BUT I WILL NOT KNOW THE EXACT AMOUNT UNTIL THE FINAL SALE PRICE IS KNOWN.  HOWEVER, SOMETIMES I WILL ESTIMATE A COST AND THIS WILL BE STATED IN THE LISTING.  PLEASE WAIT FOR THE INVOICE BEFORE MAKING ANY PAYMENT BUT IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS PLEASE FEEL FREE TO GET IN TOUCH.  MANY THANKS.

ALL VINYLS ARE PACKAGED IN STRONG CUSTOM MADE OVER-SIZED MAILERS WITH EXTRA CARDBOARD PROTECTION. THEY ARE PUT IN SEPARATE POLY-LINED INNERS OUTSIDE OF THE COVER SO AS TO AVOID SEAM SPLITS. THEY ARE ALSO PLACED INSIDE A PVC SLEEVE TO PROVIDE EXTRA PROTECTION. I PRIDE MYSELF ON MY HIGH QUALITY PACKAGING AS MY FEEDBACK TESTIFIES AND IF ANY CUSTOMER HAS ANY SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS I WILL ALWAYS ENDEAVOUR TO HELP.

I ONLY USE HIGH QUALITY MAILERS AND THESE COST ME £1.00 EACH. I WILL OFTEN USE 3 OR 4 CARDBOARD STIFFENERS AND THESE COST AT LEAST £0.15 EACH AND THEN THERE IS THE COST OF THE POLY-LINED INNER AND PVC SLEEVE TO TAKE INTO ACCOUNT. IT ALL ADDS UP! NOT FORGETTING EBAY TAKING 10% OF THE SHIPPING FEE ALSO!!

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