JOAN ARMATRADING – RARE UK 1976 NEAR MINT A&M NIMBUS SUPER-CUT AUDIOPHILE LP.

	£		38
	$		51

ONEADAYRECORDS – Serving-up a Christmas & New Year Feast of Entertainment

I would like to wish all my customers, regulars and newcomers, a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS and HAPPY NEW YEAR

Over the Holiday Period, I am offering some interesting Christmas ‘Crackers’ – lovely albums – some rare – ENJOY!

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, and records WILL arrive damaged in them at some time as most record buyers will already know. Here, you get what you pay for – SAFE PACKING in BOXES using 7mm DOUBLE-WALL STIFFENERS including full side protection and bubble wrap, the records removed from the covers of course. All this very safe packing means I lose money on every box I post, but safe delivery is, and will always be paramount. You WILL see the difference when my packet arrives. Also, I will pay for 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 if possible. PLEASE NOTE: I will NOT send any item, no matter what its value without a Royal Mail or courier tracking number. ALL my items must be signed and trackable to comply with Ebay delivery rules. Please do NOT ask me to make any exceptions to this rule as no country offers 100% reliable service without it.

Artist or Band:JOAN ARMATRADING

Album Title: Joan Armatrading

Producer(s): Glyn Johns

A SPECIAL NOTE: At first glance, this could appear as a standard UK issue of this classic Joan Armatrading album. But no, this is a rare and elusive Supercut audiophile pressing mastered and pressed by Nimbus Records exclusively for readers of Hi-Fi magazines Practical Hi-Fi and Hi-Fi Today in the early 1980s. A small few others artists had one-off albums made by Nimbus in this series that include The Beatles, Wings, Jackson Browne, Supertramp, The Eagles, Pink Floyd and Rickie Lee Jones. The company mastered each release from the original master tapes using the best available mastering processes and the discs were pressed on the highest quality, purest vinyl available. Every album had it’s own unique sound, thus all are highly sort-after and collectable. This is no different and this hardly-played copy offers truly sublime sound that leads you directly into the recording studio – as they fully intended to do. Readers of these specialist magazines were not casual listeners, far from it, and these records (as I clearly remember) were quite expensive back in the day – far beyond what average listeners were prepared to pay. They were strictly limited, few made or sold, and only briefly available. Buyers were largely those prepared to spend a vast sums for ultimate hi-fi equipment to glean every last possible fragment of information from the source. And the beginning of the hi-fi chain starts with the record itself. As soon as I heard the first few seconds of this record, it was apparent there was more bass in the mix and the vocals are simply breathtaking. Also the lack of surface noise, such a shame all records were not pressed up to this standard. The difference has to lie in the lack of mass unit production and vinyl purity – these were strictly limited pressings and made with utmost care and precision for the discerning listener market. In fact within the audiophile and audiophile super pressing market, these are amongst the rarest ever made – and arguably the very best too – equally as good, if not even better than Mobile Fidelity – both are fantastic. To fully appeciate the difference, they are best enjoyed on top quality equipment and few collectors and fans of this legendary artist will be disappointed – do not miss this marvellous album.

TRACK LIST:

Side 1: Down to Zero; Help Yourself; Water With the Wine; Love and Affection; Save Me.

Side 2: Join the Boys; People; Somebody Who Loves You; Like Fire; Tall in the Saddle.

Label/Format: A&M with matt, smooth surfaces.

Label Conditions: Both ultra fresh, clean and attractive with any of the tiny few spindle marks light and faint.

Catalogue Number: AMLH 64588

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: 121 grams. These were not pressed heavily, but used the purest and best vinyl possible.

Country of Manufacture: England

Rarity: The actual title itself is moderate, but this copy is somewhat special and much rarer. This magnificent pressing of this classic debut album is a ‘Supercut’ edition, it was mastered and pressed exclusively for Practical Hi-Hi magazine by Nimbus Records. This is one of the most astonishing high-fidelity records I have ever heard from a record of this genre. Absolute sound perfection in terms of fidelity that takes you into the recording studio itself with the lady and her backing musicians. This is what high fidelity sound is all about – every instrument can be heard with amazing clarity, richness and depth. The artists voice has tonal perfection and control with a genuine in-the-room presence. This famous old hi-fi magazine would have never put its name on a record that would fail to deliver and believe me, this excels in every department. A shame all records were not cut to this standard, but units in shops always takes priority. A very special pressing for a very special album and artist.

Original Year of Release: 1976

Matrix Nos: AMLH 64588 A1 / AMLH 64588 B2

Run-Out Groove Etchings: ‘NIMBUS ENGLAND’ on both sides [this in tiny machine punched type]. This detail is crucial as proof of the record being the genuine Nimbus pressing. There are also several tiny initials as well.

Musicians: Joan Armatrading – vocals, 6 & 12-string acoustic guitars; Jerry Donahue – acoustic & electric guitars; Bryn Haworth – slide guitar, mandolin; Jimmy Jewell – saxophone; Dave Markee – bass guitar; B.J. Cole – steel guitar; Graham Lyle – guitar; Dave Mattacks – drums; Brian Rogers – string arrangements; Peter Wood – Hammond organ, piano, electric piano; Kenney Jones – drums; Leroy Champaign – background vocals; Clarke Peters – backing vocals.

Brief Info: This was Joan Armatrading’s third album, it includes the hit single ‘Love and Affection’. Receiving positive reviews on issue and selling quite well. This audiophile pressing is the ultimate way to enjoy it.

Cover Grade and Format: EXCELLENT(+): only marked down for a movement impression and likely improved rub on the top edge. But his appears intact. The problem with mail order records – these Nimbus Supercut albums were not available in shops – unless packed with the record outside the cover, they could bulge and and split on the edges, and new records were not posted like that. Thus these Nimbus record covers are often seen damaged, sometimes on all closed edge folds. An unlaminated single format that has a lovely semi-gloss sheen in manufacture. This unique Nimbus ‘Supercut’ edition has the trademark logo, here in the form of a sticker seen in close-up. Printed and made in England by Gothic Press, includes the plain soft-lined inner sleeve and lyric insert sheet.

Cover Front: The large ‘Supercut’ sticker is pristine with deep fresh shine. The main surface is near mint with genuine freshness retained and hardly any traces of creasing or blemishes at all.

Cover Back: The main back surface is largely the same again. The movement mark on the top edge does show however.

Top Edge: Straight, but the centre clearly raised and rubbed by the record inside whilst in transit on purchase all those years ago. Unfortunately a common sight on any new manufactured mail order record at the time. As stated, any number of the folds could be affected by splits and damage due to inadequate packing with the record left inside. Here it appears intact with any rub quite neatly enhanced. This is the only blemish on the entire cover being honest that would have been graded near mint without it.

Bottom Edge: Virtually as issued with any rub traces minucule.

Right Edge(s), and Type: Clean, mostly very sharp with any thickening minuscule. Record enters on this edge.

Spine and Text: Solid, straight with any compression tiny, patchy and light. All text unworn.

Corners: Any tip rubs tiny, hardly anything with near mint shape retained and no knocks or creases.

Cover Summary: A strong all-round example of this late custom edition 1970’s cover, one that could prove hard to find much better, even with the modest top edge issue. With so few of these special edition Nimbus version covers even made, this will seldom be seen or offered anyway. The record comes in a white soft-lined inner sleeve that has only mild discolouration and no splits.

The Lyric Sheet: PRACTICALLY MINT: both printed both sides on matt, orange coloured thin card. It has nothing to fault and is guaranteed original.

Vinyl Condition/Visual Grading: PRACTICALLY MINT: a superb visual copy that is very clean with equally fine shine and fairly solidly pressed. A copy hardly even played on all the evidence with any surface traces minuscule – practically none, even as seen critically under bright light. For those who shelled-out on these audiophile pressings, few mistreated them and visually a gorgeous record that should please most-all 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 magnificent album and audiophile pressing plays up to it’s high visual grading with barely anything to fault. Offering strong, distortion-free sound, all frequencies are sharp and clear – sound quality is very high with a wide dynamic range and very detailed sound. These pressings carry that extra detail, range, clarity and sonic delivery of the content, especially for those with high-end equipment that will notice the difference. Any surface sounds barely even registered and this is an exceptional clean pressing with no tracking issues* or inherent pressing noises. A record that more than lives up to its Nimbus reputation. Few copies will outperform this specialist example I feel sure. Both channels are clean and sharp, I am certain this record has been played very lightly and been sparingly and carefully handled. Nothing spoilt my pleasure when play-grading this wonderful record, just wish all records were manufactured to this standard, this was a genuine delight. It will prove beyond difficult to find better and the record especially merits my highest recommendation.

* As played-graded on a high-end Linn LP12 Sondek turntable with Ittok Mk II arm and Ortofon Quintet Black moving coil cartridge tracking at 2.2 grams. Records are a ‘contact’ format, and few will avoid the odd minor sound blemish.

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 as I Play-Grade every record I offer in their entirety – also on higher-end equipment – 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 it’s 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 the item being offered with no digital enhancements. Room light factors can make things vary sometimes, that is hard to control, especially in winter. 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. 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 Quintet Black moving coil cartridge (tracks at 2.2 grams). Amps: Naim Supernait 2 with Project USB phono stage and Tellerium Black interconnects. Speakers: B&W 805 Nautilus (bi-wired with Tellurium Black terminated cable) with REL subwoofer. All records I offer on Ebay are cleaned on a professional Nessie 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 Nessie 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, better quality packaging costs, I offer probably the best-value and safest shipping possible for ultimate confidence. The boxes and ultra thick double-wall stiffeners 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 minuscule in over 17­ 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. 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 TWO days if no payment is received. I will then cancel the dispute to end the bid, 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 as will any suspicious bids or bid withdrawals. 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] = £7.50. (this includes insurance of £500). Add £1 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 £2 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’.