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Earth And Fire : Earth And Fire 1Y1 / 2Y1 1st Press Nepentha 1970

This relatively rare and very collectable album is STUNNING!  As always I played every track in full and I can confidently say they all grade as Mint such is the sonic quality on offer here.  As my feedback confirms I do not over-grade my listings as it would not be in my interests or yours!  This classic first pressing plays to the highest standard possible with no background at all, the clarity of sound is incredible.  Not only that but the original depth, warmth and power of the audio is still very much there.  I cannot emphasise enough just how immaculate the audio is!  The vinyl is visually stunning and has clearly not been played very much based on the sonic quality and the minimal spindle wear.  A FINAL UPGRADE archive classic in every respect.

The die-cut cover is in great condition with only one small sticker removal mark on the back and the original inner sleeve is also in excellent order.

This first pressing was not produced in vast numbers and there certainly cannot be many around today as pristine as this one!  

6437004  1Y * 1  420  1 1  2   04

6437004  2Y * 1  420  1 1  5   04

The audio on S1 is Mint(-)

The audio on S2 is Mint(-)

The gatefold is a very strong Ex

The original 'Plastic Bags...' inner is Ex

The labels are Mint-

Visual description

The vinyl is in lovely condition and still has a stunning glossy sheen with no marks or scratches.  Under a bright light I can only make out a small number of very faint superficial hairlines and there is obviously nothing that stands out.  The run out grooves are very clean and the iconic Nepentha labels are unmarked with only very minimal spindle wear.  This is a superb example of this great record!

Play grading

The run in on S1 has no background and then the intro and opening vocal section on 'Wild And Exciting' can only be described 'as new'.  The clarity and definition of the audio is stunning and the first chorus is on the same level.  The mid guitar solo is so strong and dynamic and has no distortion.  Ziech's bass adds so much of the depth to this classic opening track.  There is no 'muddiness' to the sound and Jerney's vocal is superb throughout.  I cannot emphasise enough how well this plays, there is no background and it continues in the same way.  The end vocal passage / solo is phenomenal and this is easily a Mint start to the album.

With complete silence in the dead wax the intro on 'Twilight Dreamer' plays perfectly with not even a dust tick and the opening vocal section more than keeps up the high end standard.  From then on the sonic quality is just incredible!  It's difficult to put into words just how clear and precise the audio is.  Imagine a vinyl pressed yesterday but with the warmth and depth you only get from the original Nepentha pressings!  Earth And Fire were such a strong band musically and the instrumental sections here are stunning.  So much variety and Jerney's vocal again lends itself perfectly to this fine track and it is without doubt another Mint version.

'Ruby Is The One' has just one very quiet static on the intro and then the first vocal plays as per the preceding audio!  It continues to play with a clarity and power that is second to none and 'as new' is correct.  The sonic 'landscape' is quite simply incredible and - every vocal and instrumental section play with imperious quality and Mint is deserved.

The almost gothic intro on 'You Know The Way' is so strong and deep and plays with stunning precision.  The opening vocal plays beautifully and the staccato type instrumental that follows could not play any better and the same applies to the brief guitar solo.  The next vocal section is as crystal clear as the first and the remainder of this classic is just STUNNING!  I am already running out of superlatives for this album!  You can see why it is so collectable!  Even the fade out has no background on it.  Mint all the way.

The 'heavier' 'Vivid Shady Land' plays with amazing audio from the get go.  A powerful track and yet there is no distortion and every verse and chorus play with sublime clarity and depth.  The quieter instrumental section which lasts for over a minute has only a couple of barely audible dust ticks and I mean you hardly hear them!  It plays beautifully.  The final vocal ends side with..... no interference and unsurprisingly this is another Mint track.  Here we have a side that impresses on every level - put simply there is no background of any kind.

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The intro on '21st Century Show' plays with tremendous power and definition and the Jerney's opening vocal is just perfect.  It continues in the same precise way with impeccable sonic quality.  An example of that is during the quieter acoustic / flute instrumental - the clarity of sound is 100% perfect in every way.  The remainder is of the same standard and once more the only honest grade is Mint

The 'Seasons' cover (written by George Kooymans from Golden Earring) is 'as new' from start to finish with no intrusion on the audio.  Sorry if this is getting repetitive (!) but the power and depth here is superb!  Such a strong track and the acoustic end section is flawless.  Mint

The 7+ minute track 'Love Quivers' plays with stunning quality from the get go.  The quiet intro has no interference and the the high powered instrumental / vocal is equal to that.  Needless to say from then onwards it plays with a clarity, depth and resonance that cannot be beaten.  A genuine 'progressive' section that plays with remarkable precision, not one dust tick, lasting at least 3 minutes.  Absolutely stunning!  The vocal that immediately follows is such a great vocal!  Fast paced and just a great melody.  The rest of this classic has no background and of course I am confident in grading it as Mint as there literally no background to be heard not even on the fade out.

The intro on 'What's Your Name' is so quiet and yet the audio is again so clean and fresh.  A couple of barely audible dust ticks at most.  Chris Koerts this time taking the lead vocal and the opening vocal section is indeed perfect.  From then on it plays with sublime clarity.  This is a more delicate number very different to the rest of the album so there is no hiding place but again there is no interference.  No underlying static - a couple of light statics during the brief mid instrumental but so so quiet and scarcely worth a mention.  This final vocal keeps up the standard and to the final note it plays beautifully.  A Mint finish to this incredible album.

In summary this very collectable first pressing plays to the highest standard possible with no interference, not even a hint of background.  It's not often you find a vinyl this pristine from this era and especially one as rare as this!  I cannot praise it highly enough, the clarity, depth and power of the audio is phenomenal and clearly it is a FINAL UPGRADE archive classic.  It just could not play any better - I think I have made that point well!  In hand with a lovely cover this will add to any high end collection.

The Gatefold Cover & 'Plastic Bags...' Inner Sleeve

The die-cut cover is in great condition and has retained its original shape and structure so well and has only minimal wear.  The only 'obvious' wear is a small sticker removal mark on the back cover top right but aside from that it really is in superb order.  The top edges have hardly any rubbing and the bottom edges have a little more but it's not really noticeable because the colour blends in well with the cover.  The spine is so clean and is 100% legible with only light wear on the corners and the right hand corners are just as impressive.  The front cover is close to perfect with barely any marking and just a tiny crease in the top left corner, it really is very small!  The die-cut elements are pristine.  Apart from the sticker mark the back cover is very clean with just a minor blemish top left.  The inside of the gatefold which is lightly textured is immaculate with no marking at all.  A superb example overall.

The original poly-lined inner (dated 0371) is in excellent condition with no side splits or tears and only a little age related fading on the top and bottom edges.  Minor spotting near the top of one edge and just light creasing also.

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

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

6437004  1Y * 1  420  1 1  2   04

6437004  2Y * 1  420  1 1  5   04

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 : £5.95 up to 1kg then £1.00 per extra item 

EUROPE (Tracked - Max 2kg)

LPs/12" singles : £15.95 then £2.00 per extra

USA (Tracked - Max 2kg)

LPs/12" singles : £24.95 then £2.50 per extra 

REST OF WORLD (Tracked - Max 2kg)  

LPs/12" singles : £21.95 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!!