KEEF HARTLEY BAND - THE TIME IS NEAR 1st UK Press Deram CREAM LED ZEPPELIN EX

	£		23
	$		30

KEEF HARTLEY BAND-

THE TIME IS NEAR

1970

DERAM

SML 1071

Matrices: -1W  -2W

Mother stampers: "H"   and "G"

A supreme EXCELLENT example of this rare LP.

Credits

• Artwork – West Four
• Design [Front And Back Cover] – Keef Hartley
• Engineer [Assistant] – Peter Flanagan
• Engineer [Morgan] – Robin Black
• Engineer [Trident] – Colin Caldwell
• Mastered By – W (12)
• Photography By – Hamlet Photographics, Richard Sacks (2)
• Producer – Keef Hartley, Neil Slaven
• Written-By – Dave Caswell (tracks: B2), Miller Anderson (tracks: A1 to A3, B1, B3, B4)

Notes

Barcode and Other Identifiers

• Matrix / Runout (Runout, A-side, stamped, variant 1): ZAL-9999P-1W
• Matrix / Runout (Runout, B-side, stamped, variant 1): ZAL-10000.P-2W (FROM: DISCOGS>COM)

 This album is extremely rare and it's been quite a few years since I last saw a copy at all. This is the first ever copy I have seen in this stunning barely played condition.  As such this is a very desirable item which hardly ever comes up for auction even as a regular copy. I have supplied many pictures, please have a look at them all before bidding.

The vagaries of rock and roll means by reasons of timing, management, promotion (or lack of), connections or maybe just a lucky gig, a band is either christened on a firm foundation on which they can grow to aquire some position of respect and be accompanied by a monetary reward or fall into the unforgiving pit of neglect and obscurity. Sometimes unfairly in both instances! One of those bands who fell into a hole of neglect and subsequently obscurity (unfairly) was The Keef Hartley Band. They really had a whole lot going for them musically, starting with the dynamic drumming of Keef Hartley himself. Next, they had a talented vocalist/guitarist in Miller Anderson, who was also a very adept lyricist, writing fully six of the seven songs on this album. Along with these ingredients comes the elements that separated them from many other bands of the era--an astoundingly good jazz horn section which put them, superficially at least, in the same category as Chicago or Blood, Sweat And Tears. However, the Hartley Band's horn section were much more jazz oriented and full of skilled soloists, including Dave Caswell on trumpet and Lyle Jenkins on tenor sax. 

These guys could easily have backed any straight forward jazz musician of the day (think Tubby Hayes) and held their heads high. They truly were that good. 
    Songs like "Morning Rain", the splendid title track (which really should have been a hit) and  "You Can't Take It With You" are so hook laden and groove with such a distinct, original sound that once they get stuck in your head you'd swear you HAVE heard them on the radio. There is no reason in the listening why other songs made it big in 1970 and these worthy gems were brushed aside. Just the fickle finger of fate I suppose. At any rate, this makes for a great party album and you'll probably have at least one person (as I have) come up to you and ask, "just who is this?", thinking it's someone they've heard. 

   As an interesting footnote, the late, one of a kind bass player Gary Thain plays on this. He of course subsequently went on to a great deal of deserved success with Uriah Heep a couple of years later, playing with them when their flame burned most brightly, starting with "Demons And Wizards" through to "Wonderworld." Typical of many rock and roll tragedies, his life ended far too soon due to a heroin addiction, in 1975. That though is another story. If you like your rock with some kicking jazz horns pick up this fine varietal from a year that gave us an unusually high number of memorable albums. This is (in keeping with the earlier wine analogy) a surprisingly tasty vintage.

Sleeve: EX.  As good as you could possibly hope to find this rarity.  I have never yet seen this LP without sticker tears and this is the first one ever for me without damage or tears!! I think anyone will struggle to upgrade on this. It has very light storage wear to the top and bottom edge. One small crease near the opening.  The spine is 100% legible and the opening is super crisp.  A lovely copy that will please most collectors.  No splits, tears or writing. A copy worth of investment.

The inner sleeve is the original poly lined blue printed one without any splits. (07-70 as the correct date stamp in the corner).

Vinyl: EX to EX+.  A super vinyl which sounds fantastic on the audio test. Played this on a Project turntable with Ortofon cartridge through B&W speakers .... super clarity and nothing untoward. This has probably hardly ever been played before, there are NO marks or hairlines. Even under a strong light there are no lines, just a few ultra wispy paper retraction traces, totally invisible in normal light. Light spindle traces near the spindle hole. The vinyl has a glorious deep glossy sheen and will positively impress the eventual winner of this album. The stereo separation is so much better than later reissues or cd.  Of course, NO skips, NO jumps, NO ticks. A great upgrade for most and one for the archive.

Important : International postage will be registered and insured if over GBP 45.00.  These fees in England have gone up significantly last May. Please wait for my invoice before paying. Postage will be according to Royal Mail rates. Postage is NOT a money spinning exercise for me.

Though there are rarely ever any problems with my items, I always try my very best to describe everything exactly!  PLEASE REMEMBER to contact me FIRST,  if you have any problems at all, before you leave feedback and star ratings, so I get a chance to turn any negative experience into a positive one!  I can always happily sort anything out for you, if you let me know you have a problem!  This way no one has to leave Negative/Neutral feedback - and we both walk away happy! Similarly with the amount of stars, anything less than a full 5 * rating is effectively detrimental to a seller's rating as lower ratings will incur higher Final Value Fees  and lower priority in the bidlists eventually making it unattractive to list items on Ebay at all. I know of at least one major previous Ebay seller who has decided not to list via Ebay again. Please do NOT bid if you cannot give me at least 1 chance to sort everything out to your FULL satisfaction in the unlikely event of a problem.  Thanks again!!

***This is a unique prime investment opportunity!!! Finding this classic album in any condition at all is nearly impossible!!! This is  a great and seriously collectable super album!!  You will buy into a piece of  folk history.*** 

             This is a unique investment opportunity!!! The next psych album to go completely through the roof. Finding this album in any condition at all is nearly impossible so late in the day. Get this while you still can. This value of the album is only going to go one way ... up and up ... until it will be totally unavailable at all for a reasonable price.

Important : International postage will be registered and insured if over GBP 20.00.  Please wait for my invoice before paying. Postage will be according to Royal Mail rates. Postage is NOT a money spinning exercise for me.

This an excellent investment opportunity!!! Any questions please ask me and I will try to answer soon.

Though there are rarely ever any problems with my items, I always try my very best to describe everything exactly!  PLEASE REMEMBER to contact me FIRST,  if you have any problems at all, before you leave feedback and star ratings, so I get a chance to turn any negative experience into a positive one!  I can always happily sort anything out for you, if you let me know you have a problem!  This way no one has to leave Negative/Neutral feedback - and we both walk away happy! Similarly with the amount of stars, anything less than a full 5 * rating is effectively detrimental to a seller's rating as lower ratings will incur higher Final Value Fees  and lower priority in the bidlists eventually making it unattractive to list items on Ebay at all. I know of at least one major previous Ebay seller who has decided not to list via Ebay again. Please do NOT bid if you cannot give me at least 1 chance to sort everything out to your FULL satisfaction in the unlikely event of a problem.  Thanks again!!

This an excellent investment opportunity!!! Any questions please ask me and I will try to answer soon.

Though there are rarely ever any problems with my items, I always try my very best to describe everything exactly!  PLEASE REMEMBER to contact me FIRST,  if you have any problems at all, before you leave feedback and star ratings, so I get a chance to turn any negative experience into a positive one!  I can always happily sort anything out for you, if you let me know you have a problem!  This way no one has to leave Negative/Neutral feedback - and we both walk away happy! Similarly with the amount of stars, anything less than a full 5 * rating is effectively detrimental to a seller's rating as lower ratings will incur higher Final Value Fees  and lower priority in the bidlists eventually making it unattractive to list items on Ebay at all. I know of at least one major previous Ebay seller who has decided not to list via Ebay again. Please do NOT bid if you cannot give me at least 1 chance to sort everything out to your FULL satisfaction in the unlikely event of a problem.  Thanks again!!

This an excellent investment opportunity!!! Any questions please ask me and I will try to answer soon.

This an excellent investment opportunity!!! Any questions please ask me and I will try to answer soon.

Though there are rarely ever any problems with my items, I always try my very best to describe everything exactly!  PLEASE REMEMBER to contact me FIRST,  if you have any problems at all, before you leave feedback and star ratings, so I get a chance to turn any negative experience into a positive one!  I can always happily sort anything out for you, if you let me know you have a problem!  This way no one has to leave Negative/Neutral feedback - and we both walk away happy! Similarly with the amount of stars, anything less than a full 5 * rating is effectively detrimental to a seller's rating as lower ratings will incur higher Final Value Fees  and lower priority in the bidlists eventually making it unattractive to list items on Ebay at all. I know of at least one major previous Ebay seller who has decided not to list via Ebay again. Please do NOT bid if you cannot give me at least 1 chance to sort everything out to your FULL satisfaction in the unlikely event of a problem.  Thanks again!!

This an excellent investment opportunity!!! Any questions please ask me and I will try to answer soon