KING CRIMSON Islands - SUPERB PRESSING, FULLY LAMINATED

	£		31
	$		41

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Artist or Band: KING CRIMSON

Album Title: Islands.

Producer(s): King Crimson.

TRACK LIST:

Side 1: Formentera Lady; Sailor’s Tale; The Letter.

Side 2: Ladies of the Road; Prelude; Islands.

Label/Format: Polydor.

Label Conditions: Both immaculate: ultra clean and highly attractive and struggling to find any spindle marks at all, possibly unplayed?

Country of Manufacture: Spain.

Cat Number: 2310519.

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: 111 grams. A little on the light side, but plays great.

Rarity & Info: This is a Spanish pressing made around 1977. But do not dismiss this superb example lightly. Why?, well several good reasons. Namely: the record is very well pressed and offers super sound with little unwanted from what could have been an unplayed copy – it’s that clean. The cover is extra special as it is FULLY LAMINATED, that is something you will rarely ever seen on this one. The difference this makes to the same artwork is incredible and has to be seen for real to be fully appreciated. Also that incredibly fragile and rarely seen intact gatefold inner is little short of pristine. It looks nigh-on the same as the first ones included in the UK first pressings. So many were taped for protection, split, torn and badly creased. I have seen several actually in two pieces and seldom without major issues or damage. This is a beauty as I hope my pictures show. Always a difficult album to find that plays well too, a typical King Crimson album with massive highs and low in volume and the usual complex material. With variable Island pressings, you never quite know what to expect until you hear it. This Spanish Polydor pressing offers little else other than superb clean sound with any surface sounds light and very few. A please visual and audio example and it has to be pretty scarce.

Original Year of Release: 1971. This was pressed at or around 1977.

Matrix Nos: 850 2310519 * A * 1 / 850 2310519 * B * 1

Musicians: Robert Fripp - Guitar, mellotron, pedals, harmonium, devices; Mel Collinis - flute, bass flute, saxes, vocal; Boz Burrell - Bass guitar, lead vocals; Ian Wallace - Drums, percussion, vocals; Peter Sinfield - words, sounds. Guests: Keith Tippett - piano; Paulina Lucas - Soprano; Robin Miller - Oboe; Mark Charig - Cornet; Harry Miller - String bass.

Brief Info: Fourth album by one of the undisputed leaders of British progressive rock and probably the most underrated in their early catalogue up to classic Red album. Now a leaner band in terms of numbers but this again includes a host of guests as featured on the wonderful Lizard set that preceded it. Less jazzy than the aforementioned album, this one even has elements of the classics. Featuring two of their finest ever tracks with the beautiful ‘Formentera Lady’, a gentle opener before the blistering ‘Sailor’s Tale’. This features several solos including another incredible saxophone barrage from Mel Collins. A diverse and highly entertaining set that again has superb production and sound. What is more predictable, being a King Crimson album is the massive highs and low in sound levels; hence this is yet another very difficult album for vinyl and I have never heard a copy that will play absolutely silent throughout. This album even has one section towards the end of the title track that has around 30 seconds (or so) of pure silence – yes no music, no sounds whatsoever, before some somewhat strange dialogue and tuning comes back in before the run-out grooves – not really quite sure why this was deemed necessary, but it’s the way it is. Anyway this ‘silent’ section plays quiet and little unwanted sound. This is up there with the best pressed ‘Islands’ I have heard, and I have heard several over time right from way-back to my college days of the 1970s. This is my first ever Spanish copy and it failed to disappoint. Side one is breathtaking and plays as perfect as this record ever will and I heard barely anything unwanted. Side two is almost the same but has a little surface sound near the very start that disappears fast and it’s only light anyway. Given the near impossible material on this album, this will prove difficult to find better overall. Just looking at the playing surfaces of this record, it has more light and dark rings than Saturn. A clear indication to the vinyl ‘reader’, this has immense volume and ultra quiet passages – a minefield for the stylus and to the quality of the pressing. Clearly, the original owner hardly even touched this one and I doubt if this set has seen light-of-day for decades. If absolute silence is demanded throughout, two choices: wait for the elusive copy that may never ever show up, or, buy the latest CD version that offers just that. But for those who want the analogue experience of this vintage gem with all the trimmings this will take a huge amount of beating. The laminated cover looks fantastic and that ultra fragile gatefold inner will barely ever be beaten. A very impressive Spanish copy that being honest, blows away even the UK original for looks and condition, this being honest as I see it here in front of me.

Cover Grade and Format: MINT(-): and a couple of tiny edge or corner rub traces off full Mint. A single FULLY laminated format which to say the least, is unusual. Printed and made in Spain. (Madrid 1977, printed on the back). This includes the original inner sleeve and the original style gatefold inner that was dropped fairly quickly in the UK.

Laminate: Front & Back: Both side look stunning and that is the truth. The front is little short of pristine as made and the laminate both sides is ultra clear, clean, fresh and shiny with barely a noteworthy crease to be seen. Both sides are fully adhered with no lifting or blisters and the surfaces gleam with not even a hint of any friction rubs or dulling. The odd tiny corner chip and a fine sliver rub trace on the back entrance edge near the bottom – the only reason a full Mint grade was not used. The lamination gives this cover extra class and a de luxe look and feel and that famous instellar graphic will never be seen better than this.

Top Edge: As made.

Bottom Edge: Practically as made.

Right Edge(s), and Type: Clean, razor sharp with no wear and guaranteed untrimmed. Record entered on this edge.

Spine and Text: Practically as made, quite thin with no text printed.

Corners: Any tip rubs or chips are tiny and few and all retain near mint pointed shape.

Cover Summary: The Spanish manufacter has really done a superb job on this one. With most standard versions of this being unlaminated, most are seen rubbed and often quite tatty and tired looking. Not only does the laminate protect, it brings out the incredible colour of this famous graphic and makes others look plain dull. I cannot imagine too many of these were even made and few will survive looking almost like new. This will delight all collectors I feel certain.

The Inner: Mint(-): and the same design as the fairly rare UK original that only came with early copies. Beyond fragile, so many were taped to protect the edges. This is a gatefold design with the front being single thickness card. Seldom seem intact and the fold hinge is particularly delicate and often splits (often in half). The inside has the song lyrics and a band graphic. At first glance, the front may appear to have some light set-off, but not the case, it’s natural ‘show-through’ of the print inside, this card is clearly not too thick. There has been no tape application on this one and all edges are unsplit with no repairs. Possibly slightly discoloured, I am not sure, the card I feel is correct with a slightly yellow hue. What is for certain, you will rarely see this elusive inner looking better from wherever you source one – UK, Spain or anywhere else. It’s by some distance the best I have ever seen bar none. This album also includes the original white inner sleeve as well. Sensibly included, this is probably the reason the fragile insert has remained unsplit from day one. This inner is practically as made too.

Vinyl Condition/Visual Grading: MINT(-): a super visual copy that is very clean, shiny, intense black and fairly solidly pressed. With just ultra fine surface traces seen critically under light, this has all the hallmarks of a barely, if indeed played at all record.

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 miniscule sound present on any record.]

Sound Quality and Audio Grading: This highly attractive record plays superbly with very little to fault as mentioned above. It has a very strong and powerful production with totally distortion-free sound. All frequencies are sharp and clear and sound quality is very high with a wide dynamic range and very detailed sound. To say this album is challenging is an understatement, but typical of King Crimson. So many quiet passages and most all play very well with only a little, gentle and very brief surface sound noted near the start of side two, it disappears quickly. Finding a copy that will play totally noise-free is a near impossibility with the odd sporadic light click or crakle trace considered by most normal and realistic. That is the vinyl experience on these difficult progressive albums, if silence is demanded, well the digital format offers just that. All is sharp and focused and the wonderful production and imagery will seldom be enjoyed more from the vinyl source. Collins’s reed work almost rips the speaker-cloth when played at volume and there are no traces of breakup or stressing. The classical piece ‘Prelude’ is highly vulnerable to clipping and noise but even this demanding track plays very well. Few copies will match or outperform this generally well-pressed Spanish Polydor copy – what I will confidently predict is, most will play far FAR less well, of that I am certain. I enjoyed this one immensely, underrated by some but not me, this is equally as wonderful as anything this band produced for Island. King Crimson, along with early van der Graaf Generator made some of the most explosive and consistently brilliant real progressive music of this golden era – both are challenging and equally compelling. This copy will certainly prove immensely difficult to find cleaner from wherever it was made and nothing will better the cover and inner for looks. Do not lose this elusive and unusual copy, strongly recommended.

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 - on average ONEADAY, a couple more at weekends if time permits, hence the name - time rarely allows for more as I Play-Grade virtually every record I offer in their entirety, 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 its 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 taken with a digital camera or scanned - they are NOT improved, cleaned-up or made better looking than they are with camera trickery or enhancing with digital programmes. What you see is what you get and scanned labels will give a more accurate representation of the genuine colour than flash photography where light is variable. I cannot guarantee total accuracy for colours however but most will be very close. 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 - bid with confidence - excellence comes as standard and so does Near Mint regularly. 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 Rondo Red moving coil cartridge (tracks at 2 grams). Amps: Naim Nait 5i with Project USB phono stage and Chord interconnects. Speakers: B&W 704 Floorstanding 3-way Monitors (bi-wired with QED Silver terminated cable). All records I offer on Ebay are cleaned on a professional VPI-17 vacuum machine before play-grading for the cleanest and best possible sound and will include a brand new lined inner and protective cover too.

First-time, zero-rated bidders, who do not ask permission to bid, will be cancelled immediately and blocked – NO exceptions. For winning bidders who I consider excessively slow to make contact or submit payment, I will use my right to block future bids. If any bidder who wins in the final seconds is present to do so, surely they can at least email me to inform of intention and payment method? If swift or promp payment is a problem, please do not bid.

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 VPI-17 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 and the cost of this lavish packing is NOT even charged for, I offer probably the best-value and safest shipping possible for ultimate confidence. The boxes and ultra thick double-wall stiffners and bubble wrap 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 less than one in two thousand based on over 7,000+ items sold in nearly 10 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. Even one of these stiffeners cannot be bent by hand, so what chance 3 or 4 inside a box? 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). I will not respond to questions on shipping costs as all the details are included here and on ALL of my adverts. Details below:

NOTE: First Time Bidders: I will cancel ALL first-time bidders with no feedbacks or excessive negatives who do not ask me if its OK to bid first – NO EXCEPTIONS.

Please Note: I will now offer any item to the runner-up after the mandatory Ebay 3 days if no contact is made by the winning bidder unless prior notice of any delay is given beforehand. The same applies if no payment is received within the mandatory 7 days so any bidder who has just lost out can still email me to reserve the item as priority second chance – it’s always worth asking.

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.

1 LP (Special Delivery with Standard £500 Maximum Insurance) [Signed For, Next Day] = £7.50. (this includes insurance of £500). Add £2 per extra LP.

Posting & Packing: EUROPE & SCANDINAVIA. (Airmail Only):

1 LP (Small Packet ‘Signed For’ with Standard Royal Mail Insurance [£40 maximum]) = £9. (insurance optional extra £3). Add £2.50 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 [£39 maximum]) = £13. Add £4 per extra LP. (insurance 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: Please do not bid if you have negative feedback unless checking first, 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’.